Red flags & when to go in person for Cut/Laceration - Triage

Audience: adult

Cuts and lacerations are breaks in the skin that can vary from minor scrapes to deep wounds. Many minor cuts can be safely assessed and managed through telemedicine, where a healthcare provider can guide you on cleaning and caring for the wound. However, some signs mean you should seek in-person care promptly. These include heavy bleeding that does not stop, deep wounds exposing muscle or bone, or cuts caused by animal bites or dirty objects. Telemedicine can help decide if your injury needs stitches, tetanus shots, or further treatment. It is important to watch for signs of infection like increasing redness, swelling, or fever. This guide helps you understand when telemedicine is suitable and when to get urgent in-person evaluation to ensure safe and effective care.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Heavy bleeding that continues despite applying firm pressure for 10 minutes — seek emergency care immediately.
• Deep wounds exposing muscle, fat, or bone — require urgent in-person evaluation.
• Signs of infection such as spreading redness, increasing pain, swelling, warmth, pus discharge, or fever — see a healthcare provider in person.

What telemedicine can do

• Assessment of minor cuts and scrapes.
• Guidance on cleaning and dressing wounds.
• Advice on signs of infection and when to seek further care.
• Follow-up care for wound healing.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Deep or large wounds needing stitches or surgical repair.
• Severe bleeding not controlled by pressure.
• Wounds with exposed muscle, fat, or bone.
• Animal or human bite wounds.
• Signs of serious infection or systemic illness.

Understanding Cuts and Lacerations

Cuts and lacerations happen when the skin is broken by a sharp object or trauma. They can be shallow or deep, and may bleed. Proper care is important to prevent infection and promote healing. Minor cuts often heal well with simple cleaning and protection.

When Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine can assist in assessing minor cuts by allowing you to show the wound to a healthcare provider via video. They can advise on cleaning, dressing, and signs to watch for. Telemedicine is useful for follow-up care and guidance on wound care at home.

Red Flags That Need In-Person Care

Certain signs mean you should see a healthcare professional in person immediately:

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

Before your telemedicine appointment:

Aftercare and Monitoring

Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions on wound care. Keep the area clean and dry, change dressings as advised, and watch for signs of infection. If symptoms worsen or new red flags appear, seek in-person care promptly.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Clean the wound gently with clean water if possible.
• Have clean cloths or sterile dressings ready.
• Ensure you have good lighting for the video call.
• Be prepared to describe how and when the injury occurred.
• Have a list of your current medications and allergies available.

After your tele-visit

• Follow instructions on wound cleaning and dressing changes.
• Keep the wound dry and protected as advised.
• Monitor for increasing redness, swelling, pain, or discharge.
• Seek in-person care if red flags or signs of infection develop.
• Attend any recommended follow-up appointments.

FAQs

Can all cuts be treated through telemedicine?

Not all cuts can be treated via telemedicine. Minor cuts and scrapes may be managed remotely, but deep, large, or heavily bleeding wounds usually require in-person care.

How do I know if my cut needs stitches?

Cuts that are deep, longer than about half an inch, or have edges that gape open often need stitches. A healthcare provider can help assess this during a telemedicine visit, but sometimes an in-person exam is necessary.

What should I do if my cut starts to look infected?

If you notice increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, pus, or develop a fever, these may be signs of infection. You should seek in-person medical care promptly.

Is it safe to clean my wound at home before a telemedicine visit?

Yes, gently cleaning the wound with clean water can help reduce infection risk. Avoid using harsh chemicals or scrubbing the wound aggressively.

When should I seek emergency care for a cut?

Seek emergency care if bleeding is heavy and does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure, if the wound is deep with exposed tissues, or if the injury is from an animal or human bite.

Sources

1. Wound Care — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Lacerations and Cuts — Mayo Clinic.
3. First Aid for Cuts and Scrapes — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Managing Wounds and Cuts — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical evaluation and treatment. If you have a serious injury or emergency, seek immediate care from a healthcare professional.