Why is the kitchen considered one of the worst yet best places to get a cut? Well, worst because if you cut yourself with something like a knife, chances are you were cutting something that was covered in bacteria. On the other hand, it is also the best place because you have immediate access to soap and water, allowing you to get the cut cleaned and treated thoroughly.
That said, kitchen-related cuts come in all shapes and sizes, some emergencies and some non-emergencies. We’ll tell you exactly how to tell the difference between a non-emergency and emergency situation and what to do:
What Kitchen Cut Requires Immediate Medical Attention?
These are kitchen cuts that need immediate medical attention. If you don’t seek help, these cuts can become infected.
Deep Cuts
Cuts that penetrate into the muscle or fat layer of the body are considered to be the ones that can become infected if not treated. If you notice that the cut is especially deep and is showing signs of infection (pus, redness, swelling, etc.), then it is time to seek medical attention.
Skin Infections
If you have a cut that has been left untreated for a couple of days and you notice that the skin around it is looking red, irritated, and developing cracks, then you will need to seek medical attention.
If you’ve experienced any of the above cuts, you will need to quickly visit a doctor for treatment. Failure to do otherwise can lead to significant blood loss and even the possibility of losing the limb in which the cut happened.
What Kitchen Cuts Don’t Need Immediate Medical Attention?
These are small cuts that you don’t need to see a doctor. However, you should still clean and treat them to avoid infections.
Scrapes
If your injury is not deep, does not involve any broken skin, and does not require any stitching, then you can clean it at home. Wipe the wound with soap and water, and then apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the wound with a bandage.
Lacerations
If the cut is a result of something sharp and is not too deep, then you can clean the wound and treat the site. You can keep it covered with a bandage.
Paper Cuts
If you got a paper cut, you could clean the wound with soap and water. If it’s not too deep, you can cover it with a bandage and treat it at home. However, if it is too deep, then seek medical attention.
Conclusion
It is always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any doubts about your kitchen cut, just be sure to take your time to have it checked out by a professional. This will ensure you do not get a serious infection that could affect your health over time. This is especially true if you have children that accidentally cut themselves in the kitchen. If you are unsure of the severity of the cut, always visit a medical professional as soon as you can. A cut can lead to various problems, so having it treated properly can be the difference between a wound that heals properly versus losing a limb!
Your Kids Urgent Care is an urgent care service provider that offers convenient and reliable pediatric services to kids. If you are looking for an Orlando urgent care for cuts on your children, reach out to us right away!
