Home treatment can be used to care for a cut that is not deep (superficial). A cut is deep if:
- The deepest part of the cut is not visible.
- The cut is more than 0.25 in. (6.5 mm) deep.
- Fat, muscle, tendon, nerve, ligament, or bone tissue is seen.
When there is a cut on the face, neck, chest, or abdomen, the depth of the cut is very important to determine whether medical treatment is needed.
Deep cuts are often caused from a sharp object piercing through the skin.
- Deep cuts that enter the chest or abdomen have an increased risk of infection, internal bleeding, and organ damage.
- Deep cuts to the chest may cause trouble breathing.
- Deep cuts to the abdomen may cause the belly to become tender or rigid.
- Deep cuts in the neck may injure blood vessels or impair breathing.
- Deep cuts to an extremity may injure underlying tissues such as blood vessels, nerves, tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, or bones.
When a deep cut has occurred anywhere on the body, watch for signs of shock.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
H. Michael O'Connor, MD, MMEd, FRCPC - Emergency Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Current as ofNovember 20, 2017