Deep cuts
Home treatment can be used to care for a cut that is not deep (superficial). A cut is deep if:
- The deepest part of the cut is not visible.
- The cut is more than 0.25 in. (6.4 mm) deep.
- Fat, muscle, tendon, nerve, ligament, or bone tissue is seen.
When there is a cut on the face, neck, chest, or abdomen, the depth of the cut is very important to determine whether medical treatment is needed.
Deep cuts are often caused from a sharp object piercing through the skin.
- Deep cuts that enter the chest or abdomen have an increased risk of infection, internal bleeding, and organ damage.
- Deep cuts to the chest may cause difficulty breathing.
- Deep cuts to the abdomen may cause the abdomen to become tender or rigid.
- Deep cuts in the neck may injure blood vessels or impair breathing.
- Deep cuts to an extremity may injure underlying tissues such as blood vessels, nerves, tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, or bones.
When a deep cut has occurred anywhere on the body, watch for signs of shock.
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: June 30, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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