After Hours GP Advice to Care For Minor Lacerations

Our skin is the largest organ of the human body. While skin is pliable enough to allow movement, it is tough enough to resist tearing and breakage. The skin varies in thickness and texture in different areas of the body, because it is made up of two layers: The epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is the surface layer of skin made up of multiple sheets of skin cells. The layer underneath is made of elastin and collagen and is known as the dermis. This gives the skin a supple and strong feel. Cuts and wounds can affect either of these areas, and when left untreated, there is a high infection risk that could lead to complications including further tissue damage. So, here the After Hours GP team will offer some advice to care for any minor lacerations at home.

Self Care

Lacerations are caused by a trauma that leads to soft body tissue tearing. A fresh laceration can be painful, bleeding and inflamed. In some cases, the wound may require stitches, but only a medical professional will be able to determine this after reviewing the wound.

If it is a small laceration and it is not bleeding a lot, you should be able to apply firm pressure to the wound area until the bleeding has stopped. If the bleeding continues after ten minutes or is squirting profusely, you’ll need urgent medical attention.

Once you have the bleeding under control and it has stopped, you should wash the wound under a running tap to thoroughly clean it. Remove any debris or dirt using a clean towel and carefully pat the area dry. If cleaning causes the bleeding to start again, use firm compression again until it stops. Cover the wound with a non stick dressing pad. This dressing should be regularly changed, particularly if it becomes soiled, wet or soaked from any wound drainage.

Should You Call an After Hours GP?

Most minor lacerations can be easily handled at home, but there are some situations where you will need to seek medical assistance from an After Hours GP. This includes:

• • If you cannot remove all the debris or dirt from the wound
• • If the wound continues to bleed after each dressing change
• • If the pain and inflammation does not improve within a couple of days
• • If the wound does not appear to be healing or it turns black
• • If the wound appears to increase in size
• • If the drainage from the wound appears to be discoloured, smelly or excessive.

The rate of healing will be affected by your general state of health, age, stress on the injury site, pre-existing medical conditions and dietary factors. However, if you feel like your injury is not healing sufficiently or quickly enough, it is worth checking with a medical professional.

If you have suffered an injury and would like help from an after hours GP, Perth residents should call us. The After Hours GP team would be delighted to assist you and address any queries or concerns you may have.

If you would like further guidance to improve your health and wellbeing from an after hours GP, Perth residents should call us.