Incision: Treated Alone or Must by a Doctor

Wound incision, for example because it was cut by a knife when cutting foodn,can cause pain and risk of infection if not treated properly. For that, you have to know firstWhat kind of incisions can be treated alone, and what kind of incision is that should handled doctor.

Based on the severity, incision wounds are divided into superficial and deep. Shallow incision wounds only cover the skin layer. While deep incision wounds can reach more than 1 cm and can affect tendons, muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, and even bones.

Treatable Incision Own at home

Shallow incision wounds can be handled independently. The following are the steps for wound care that can be done at home:

  1. Wash hands with clean water and soap before cleaning the wound.
  2. Wash the wound with clean running water. If the incision is large or long, do not use a disinfectant or antiseptic solution (hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or Povidoine Iodine) to clean the wound, as this solution can damage and irritate the skin.
  3. Press the wound with a clean cloth or sterile gauze, and position the injured body part higher than the chest to control bleeding and swelling.
  4. If the wound is large enough, cover it with sterile gauze and a bandage. As for small wounds, just leave them open until they heal by themselves.
  5. Aloe vera gel can be applied to a shallow cut to speed up healing. You can use packaged aloe vera gel products or gel from the inside of a fresh aloe plant that has been cut and removed.
  6. To reduce the pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol. Avoid taking aspirin to relieve pain, because this drug has a risk of causing bleeding.
  7. If there is bruising or swelling around the wound, apply a cold compress, for example using ice cubes wrapped in a cloth. Remember, avoid placing ice cubes directly on the wound. Press the bruised or swollen area with the compress.
  8. Keep the wound dry and clean for 5-7 days.
  9. Avoid scratching or peeling any scars or scabs that form over the wound.
  10. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and excessive stress during wound healing, as these can interfere with and slow down the healing process.

Cuts That Must Be Treated by Doctor

Deep incision wounds need to be treated by a doctor and often require stitches. In deep cuts, such as those caused by a cutting machine, the layers under the skin can be seen and rapid and profuse bleeding may occur, especially if large blood vessels are cut.

Seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility. Do not delay for more than 6 hours, if the incision is wide or deep. Delaying medical treatment for a wound like this can result in shock from persistent bleeding, or a severe infection.

In addition to deep incisions that require immediate medical attention, there are also several conditions of incisions that need to be examined by a doctor, namely:

  1. The wound looked very dirty and difficult to clean. In this wound condition, the doctor can give the tetanus vaccine and tetanus immunoglobulin to prevent tetanus, especially if you have never received the tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine or have not received the vaccine. booster TT in the last 10 years.
  2. Cuts caused by animal scratches or bites.
  3. The sores are on areas that are prone or sensitive, such as the face, scalp, and around the genitals; or in the area around the joint.
  4. The wound is caused by an accident or strong impact and there may be bleeding that is difficult to see under the skin tissue.
  5. There is a fever, the wound looks red and swollen, or pus appears from the wound. Wounds like this may already be infected and require treatment from a doctor, for example in the form of antibiotics.
  6. Patients with wounds have a history of diabetes, blood clotting disorders, are taking blood thinning drugs, or undergoing chemotherapy.
  7. Bleeding does not stop after the wound is pressed for more than 10 minutes or blood comes out profusely.
  8. Pain in the wound does not go away even after taking painkillers.
  9. Numbness in the area around the wound.
  10. The wound did not heal for weeks.

Handle the incision in the right way, and don't hesitate to go to the doctor if it is necessary. During the recovery period, relax your mind and take care of your health by eating nutritious foods, getting enough rest and sleep, drinking enough water, and not smoking and drinking alcohol.

Written by:

dr. Alya Hananti