When to Call a Healthcare Professional Because of a Cut

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A cut that is not minor may need more care than you can give it at home.

Reasons to seek emergency help for a cut:

• a really deep cut damaging major blood vessels, arteries, nerves, or tendons
• bleeding heavily or if bleeding does not stop after applying pressure for 10 minutes
• a cut resulting from a serious injury or an accident

Reasons to call a healthcare professional for a cut:

• There is numbness or tingling in area.
• The cut is made by a sharp object that might have rust or dirt on it.
• A foreign object is embedded inside the cut.
• You can see fat gaping through the edges of the cut.
• You are concerned about scarring on the face or any other part of the body.
• The cut becomes infected. This will take at least 24 hours. The signs of infection are redness on the uninjured skin around the wound, increased tenderness, pus, red streaks, swelling, warmth in the area, or a fever.
• It has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus shot.