Can You Ever Treat a Laceration at Home?

Lacerations are injuries that cause a break in your skin, leaving an open wound. These gashes may be superficial or deep and are usually caused by contact with a sharp object, such as a knife or a saw. A laceration differs from an abrasion in that none of the skin is missing.

At Mercy Medical Urgent Care in Lake City, Florida, Dr. Bilal Khoder and our staff treat abrasions, lacerations, and puncture wounds ranging from minor to severe. 

Many people wonder if they can treat a laceration at home rather than seeing a doctor. The answer is sometimes. Here’s how you can tell.

What are the types of lacerations?

There are three major types of lacerations, defined by how deep the wound goes and how much skin can be salvaged to cover it.

Type 1 lacerations are shallow, and the skin can be fully replaced over the wound bed.

Type 2 lacerations are those where some skin can be replaced over the wound bed.

Type 3 lacerations have no skin available for replacement.

While you might still want to see a doctor about a type 1 laceration, this is the only type that you can treat at home, as it’s generally not serious.

When can I treat a laceration at home, and what should I do?

If you have a minor laceration – that is, type 1 – and you’re able to stop the bleeding within about 20 minutes, you can probably treat the wound yourself.

First, thoroughly wash your hands with soap or an antibacterial cleanser to help prevent infection. 

If there’s nothing stuck in the wound, wash it thoroughly with mild soap and water. In fact, you should always wash the wound because there may be dirt or debris that you just can’t see.

If there’s something embedded in the wound, it’s better that you come into Mercy Medical Urgent Care so we can remove it safely.

Second, apply direct pressure to stop any bleeding. Once you’ve confirmed it’s stopped, apply an antibacterial ointment directly on the wound and cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage.

There are things you can do to help the laceration heal, whether you’ve administered care at home or have come into our office.

Make sure to keep the dressing dry and clean. If you have a pet, ensure it doesn’t rub up against the wound and leave fur sticking to it.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet with lots of protein because the wound needs protein to regenerate the tissue.

Elevate the affected area, such as your arm or leg, to reduce swelling and improve blood flow from the extremities back to the heart.

Regularly change the dressing over the week to reduce the risk of infection. Also, make sure the skin around the wound remains healthy. If it turns red or streaked or the wound leaks pus, come into the office for medical help.

If you have a skin laceration and aren’t sure what you need to do, come into Mercy Medical Urgent Care as soon as possible — we’re open seven days a week. Walk in, or give us a call at 386-758-2944 to schedule.