A proper treatment is the key to perfectly healed wounds. Causes, location, severity, and treatments of the wounds are some of the factors which contribute on how well the wound heals. Small wounds such as narrow cuts and scrapes are likely possible to heal themselves without any specific treatments. However, immediate proper treatments are required by those deeper and more severe wounds to promote proper healing process.

Proper treatments and wound healing

The relationship between wound treatment and its healing process is crucial. Proper wound treatments are needed to boost healing period. A wound—minor and major, which is treated immediately will likely be prevented from infection. A proper wound healing will put wound causes and severity into account. This will promote white blood cells to produce proper antibody in combating any interfering bacteria. Proper wound healing treatment also includes avoiding scabs picking, which in fact is really tempting. Scabs which are formed during wound healing process has a role in covering fragile new skin before the wound is completely healed. Picking the scabs will tear the fragile skin and restart the healing process from the beginning. A wound which is properly treated by considering its cause and location also produces less visible scars.

Healing a deep wound

As stated, wound healing is closely related to its severity. A deep wound tends to heal slower, since some membranes and skin glands can possibly be damaged in the injury. A severe deep wound may even break skin inner membranes and hurt muscles and tendons, even bones. Therefore, with certain cases of deep wounds, medications and sutures might be required. Medications, such as tetanus shot, antibiotics, and anti-inflammations are needed to decrease the risk of infection. Pains from injuries commonly cause blood vessels to constrict, which slow down healing process. Those medications are used to relieve these pains, which may contribute to a faster healing. In addition, sutures are recommended for large wounds to induce faster and proper healing. Large puncture or cut wounds are prone to bacterial infection, since those wounds won’t close immediately like small wounds do. Therefore, closing these wounds with staples or stitches are recommended in performing more sterilized wound treatment.

Will a deep wound heal without stitches?

Most forms of wounds—cuts, scrapes, lacerations, or punctures are able to heal without stitches. However, stitches might be important for some specific cases. A deep wound might need sutures when the bleeding continues and is not likely to stop. Deep wounds have a chance of damaging skin inner layers and break the muscles and tendons, so that it is more susceptible to infections. Hence, an immediate suture is recommended as the first stage of its healing steps. However, a deep wound which has been left unstitched for more than eight hours is not advised to be closed with stitches, as it may trapped the possible infection inside. Otherwise, a proper, sterilized treatment can be performed. In fact, a deep wound might heal without stitches under these circumstances:

1. The wound is not bleeding severely or the bleeding stops after the wound is given sufficient pressure.
2. The wound is deep but does not damage any significant inner skin layers. Thus, there is no visible tendons or the edges of skin which remains parted.
3. The wound is located in body parts or areas which do not require frequent and vital movements. Stitches can also be avoided in treating a wound which is clearly visible and can be easily reached.
4. There is no loss of function of the wounded parts.
5. There are no debris or other small objects trapped in the wound.
6. The victim has been given an updated tetanus shot.
7. The wound is treated immediately and properly. Keeping the wound moist is more likely to promote faster healing and less scars. If the wound is not stitched despite its depth, a sterile treatment is vital. Therefore, changing the bandage used for covering the wound is highly recommended. Besides, avoiding iodine application is also an important step in wound healing, because it may tear the skin tissues, which in fact, makes the wound more prone to infection. Instead, apply an antibiotic ointment or saline solution as an initial wound treatment.