‘You Have Many Good Options For Treatment And Support’

When a deep cut or puncture occurs, deciding what level of medical care to seek can be nearly as important as the injury itself.

“Three major factors concern us as care teams: where on the body a person is hurt, how it happened and how badly they are bleeding,” said Staci Radtke, an emergency medicine nurse practitioner with ThedaCare. “It can be a stressful time and we can help in many ways.”

Staying level-headed and having a plan can make all the difference, Radtke said. She shared advice for deciding when, where and how to seek care for cuts and punctures.

An initial question to ponder is whether stiches are needed, she said.

“This is an important question,” Radtke said. “It affects how you will heal and whether you develop a scar from your injury. You may need stitches if your injury doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of firm pressure, it feels numb or it’s deep, long or has jagged edges.”

Other indicators that a person may need stiches include:

• The injury is on the face (even minor cuts, if scarring is a concern).
• The cut or puncture is over a joint, which may slow healing.
• The injury was caused by a bite or puncture from an object.

After assessing the need for stiches, the next step is choosing the most appropriate level of care based on the nature of the injury, Radtke said. If it does not appear that stitches are needed, minor cuts can be treated at home.

“Home treatment steps include rinsing the area thoroughly with soap and water and applying light pressure using a clean cloth,” she said. “Once the bleeding stops, clean the area and pat it dry with a clean cloth. If a cut continues bleeding for more than 10 minutes or the wound keeps reopening, seek medical help.”

Be mindful of signs of infection that may require a doctor visit, Radtke said. Fever, a foul smell from the injury, swelling, warmth or redness near the wound and thick milky, yellow or green fluid (pus) in the wound may indicate a trip to the doctor is necessary.

Urgent or Primary Care

If someone is unable to determine how best to treat their cut or puncture, they may wish to seek assistance at an urgent care or walk-in care clinic, Radtke said.

“Both offer access to care in convenient locations, with no appointment needed,” she said. “They can help you without an appointment.”

ThedaCare Urgent and Walk-in Care, along with primary care clinics, treat many minor wounds that meet the following criteria:

• Closure is needed: Stitches are required. Bleeding is controlled and the wound is not deep or gaping.
• Clean-cut injuries: The wound was caused by a clean object, like a kitchen knife, and doesn’t involve contamination.
• Tetanus concerns: A person is unsure about their vaccination status or needs a tetanus booster.
• Follow-up care: The wound is healing and follow-up care helps ensure it is progressing well and infection is ruled out.

Emergency Care

Emergency care may be required to help treat a cut or puncture wound and start healthy healing when a glass, metal or plastic object is stuck in the wound.

“We don’t advise removing it yourself,” Radtke said. “Let medical professionals handle it safely.”

Uncontrolled bleeding, wounds in delicate areas and deep or gaping wounds may all require emergency care.

“A doctor should evaluate cuts to the face, scalp, eyes, genitals or other delicate areas,” Radtke said. “Also, if you can see muscle, tendons or bones or the wound is too wide to close naturally, we encourage you to seek medical assistance in the emergency department.”

Other scenarios where emergency care is a best option include when the wound is rust-related or caused by a bite.

“Wounds caused by rusty objects pose a risk for tetanus, which can lead to serious complications like seizures, muscle stiffness, fever and excessive sweating,” Radtke said. “If the injury was caused by an animal or human bite, it should be treated professionally. These injuries can carry a high risk of infection.”

“The experience of a sudden cut or wound can be stressful and disorienting,” Radtke said. “After several deep breaths and a few moments to assess the injury, you have many good options for treatment and support.”

Visit ThedaCare Get Care Now to explore care options ranging from virtual and in-person care to urgent and emergency care.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive healthcare system.

For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media.

Date posted: June 15, 2026