totally random question

i feel a bit stupid asking but when exactly does somebody need to get stitches vs just putting on a band-aid or whatnot?

reason i'm asking is that about a month ago, my parrot bit me ... i didn't get stitches - but my mom says i prob needed them since i have a scar now. i thought stitches are only if the cut doesn't stop bleeding

sorry if this is dumb

Re: totally random question

I've only had stitches once in my life (friggin 7 weeks before my wedding too none the less over my right eye ) I looked at the cut and it wasn't bleeding much but it was so much deeper than any cut I've ever had. Went to the ER just to be safe and they said it could have gone either way (stitches vs just letting it heal on it's own).

Re: totally random question

does stitches mean the scar heals better or faster?

Re: totally random question

If the cut needed stitches it would probably make the scar smaller (my guess would be without stitches the scar would be wider). If you do have any kind of scar I used both Vitamin E oil and Maderma to lessen it. It really all depends on the size of the cut.

Re: totally random question

Ur Parrot Bite you?!?!?!?!?

So sorry chicaaa!!!

I've never gotten stiches, not that i knwo off...

Re: totally random question

i dont really know what the answer is...i hate hospitals and have been fortunate enough to never need stitches. I thikn you are right...stitches are needed if the wound doesnt close itself (meaning its bleeding too much so the skin cant stay shut). i dont think a scar is a sign of needing stitches or not...i have scars from cuts that def did NOT need stitches.

i usually use a butterfly bandaid if the cut is deeper than normal...just a thought

Re: totally random question

So if the cut is deep, but not wide, usually you will need stitches. But if there is a large area missing tissue, you will more than likely not be able to get it stitched since there is not enough uninjured tissue there to use. Bleeding isn't the only thing that you have to factor in, although if it doesn't stop bleeding you should definitely see someone (I know your injury is old though). Stitches help to heal the wound faster by bringing helathy tissue in closer contact to the wounded site. That way your immune system can clear out the dead tissue faster and get you healed with less scar.

Sorry that was long, I actually study wound healing in my lab.

Re: totally random question

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Posted by Chanwich

Sorry that was long, I actually study wound healing in my lab.

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no, i appreciate it .... i asked because i wanted to know!

so i guess i prob should've gone to get stitches since it was a pretty deep wound (but not wide at all). Oh well, hindsight is 20/20

Thanks to all who answered