To stitch or not to stitch - that is the question.

[geebee]

Well, I had my first real "bleeding" injury today since going on coumadin 24 years ago (save for a broken foot). I was getting out of the car and sliced my right middle finger on a piece of chrome that had peeled off from the door handle (watch out Chrysler if I find a good lawyer ).
Anyway, I immediately put pressure on it and watched as it bled through the packing and kept on bleeding for over an hour. I finally got it stopped (read slowed down considerably but still "weeping").
Right now, 6 hours later, I have 2 bandaids on it and it is still seeping through.
Any thoughts on whether I should think about a stitch or just wait until it stops or I pass out (just kidding).
Thanks and smiles as always,
Gina

 

[Guest]

Bleeding always stops!!

Seriously, I think that you should go to the ER and see if it needs a stitch or two.

 

[Ross]

If it's been bleeding that long, I'd get it checked.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

More concerned about infection and tetnus for you Gina. Call your doc in the AM! Take care. Come to think about it.....I should look into that tetnus booster soon. Did my finger job when I was pregnant 9 years ago.

PS> Looks like you and I need to stop bleeding if we are going to meet the group on Friday

 

[geebee]

Interestingly enough, I was leaving the car after returning from my first visit to my new PCP. One of the things he asked was the date of my last tetanus shot which I had just before my last surgery in 1994. He said I was due for another and I got a shot before I left his office so I guess I am covered there. I guess he is a little psychic.
My finger bled so much that I probably don't have any bacteria left in it (assuming there was any to begin with) but I will probably check into antibiotics with my doc anyway. I may need to see him tomorrow about the bleeding.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[tobagotwo]

Don't these things always happen just after we leave the doctor's?

You may want to look into a stitch to stop the bleeding, but it is unlikely you need antibiotics for it, unless you are very prone to infections. At least the bleeding helps clean out a wound. Too many or too frequent antibiotics are not a good idea for a variety of reasons.

The tetanus shot was a good thing, and we should all be sure we're up-to-date with that.

Best wishes,

 

[geebee]

I found out something new this morning. It turns out they do not stitch cuts after 12 hours. The doc said he would have put a stitch or 2 in it if I had gone yesterday (sorry for not listening, guys) but this morning was too late.
So I have a pressure bandage and a split to keep me from bending my finger and antibiotics because the cut was so deep.
Anyway, it is still weeping a little through the bandage but seems better.
I've learned my lessons - to ask for help and then FOLLOW IT.
Thanks and smiles,
Gina

 

[Granbonny]

Gina

Gina

Do you or your doctor think..your finger bled so much because you are taking coumadin? Do you know what your INR was at the time you cut yourself?........You were brave..I think I would have gone to ER right away..knowing I was on coumadin... I was so lucky Monday when I had my tooth extracted and stayed on coumadin. It never bled..but dentist told me if it did bleed a lot to come back and he would put a gel? on it. You must have hit an artery.. vein, whatever?. BTW How are you typing? Glad you are better. bonnie

 

[geebee]

Definitely coumadin was a culprit but the cut was so deep, I am sure it would have been bad even without coumadin. My INR was at 3.5 which is right on target for me. I think I made a mistake waiting, I should have gone to the ER last night but $100 is a lot of money for a piece of thread so.....
Anyway, I am typing with my left hand and my right index finger - quite a hilarious sight. It takes a bit of time but I am getting better at it.
Glad your tooth extraction worked so well. I have a dentist that is very good at working with me while on coumadin. It's nice to know they are out there.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[catwoman]

Gina:

Apparently, you have to have stitches done ASAP. At least this is what I discovered recently.

I gouged the bridge of my nose 10:30 Halloween night when I tripped over a coffee table (an old lobster trap) in our living room. I had just turned out the lights and my eyes hadn't adjusted to the darkness yet. Forgot the trap was there...
Fell flat on my face (thank heavens for carpeting!). But I cut a pretty good-sized, circular flap of skin on my nose. Nose very very sore. Took a little for the bleeding to stop.
Didn't trust ER docs after an ER visit in July for an eye problem (ER doc did not examine my eye, said it was conjunctivitis, turned out to be chronic corneal erosion and I thought I had been suffering from an allergy all these years!). So, I waited until I got to work, called my PCP @ 8:15 a.m., was in the examining room @ 8:45 a.m. (All I have to do is tell my PCP's office that I'm on Coumadin and have a mechanical heart valve and I get in ASAP!)
The nurse practitioner said I did need a stitch or two but it was too long after the injury to do so. Said doing so so many hours after injury would trap bacteria in the cut and that just flushing the cut with saline solution, antibiotics, etc., would not work. Bacteria had had 10 hours' lead time on getting to work.
I had showered that morning, cleaned it up, but it was still bleeding a little. She applied pressure, steri-stripped the area, gave me some extras, ordered X-rays. No broken bones.

She said I could use liquid bandage or spray-on bandage or steri-strips in the future. Also said to use the hospital next to the PCP's office in the future for emergencies.

I expected to see a lot of bruising, but I suppose the carpeting pretty much prevented that. I have a little scarring, will probably use something to reduce that.

 

[Guest]

Did the trap mistake you for a lobster?

 

[geebee]

Marsha,
Sorry to hear about your nose. I hope it is getting better. My finger is still very sore and still "weeping" a little but it is holding together. The metal split keeps me from banging it on things which is what kept it bleeding the first day.
I will certainly be sure to visit the ER faster next time although I don't really like the idea of a stitch or two. Also, hopefully there won't be a next time
BTW - I am entering one of my cats in a show the first weekend in Dec. (near Dayton). If it goes well, I will also enter him in the Columbus show. If it goes badly, I will still come to Columbus to see you but not with the kitty.
Take care and smiles,
Gina