I hit my foot hard somewhere on the foot board of the bed while walking (Ironic). It hurt pretty bad, but no tears where shed, just a few toes hurt. The first two toes were hurting the most, so I took my sock off to see how badly injured they were. At first I thought it was maybe a little fracture. But that thought left once I saw blood. It took me a few minutes to discover the source of the bleeding which was from a cut about 2 and a half inches long right under the base of my toe nail, but above the knuckle of my big toe. It bled for a minute, and I cleaned it. But it bled again. So I cleaned it again and put a band aide on it. After an hour, I took the bandage off and notice that the bleeding stopped. But once I got up to walk around a bit, it began to bleed again which made me think that the walking around separated the skin which made it bleed. I don't think I need stitches because the cut doesn't appear in any way to be deep. After all, I accidentally struck my toe against the foot board of my bed, not necessarily cut it on something. Do I Need Stitches?
I would just get a butterfly type bandage and take it easy with it for a bit.
Go to a clinic. Maybe just a soaking in some solution.
Hi. EMT here. It doesn't sound like you need stitches. The bleeding is stopping spontaneously, and it's not gaping open. It should heal fine on its own.
Clean it properly with soap and water. Clip your toenail if you need to to ensure that you can expose the wound and get the cut cleaned.
Pat dry with paper towels. You can use a dry paper towel and light pressure to stop the bleeding. Then, once it's dry and not bleeding, put a TINY layer of triple antibiotic on the wound (not a glob) and place a clean, dry dressing of gauze on it, secured with cloth medical tape (from your first aid kit). Band aids are for paper cuts. I don't use them. Butterfly bandages (or steri-strips, which I prefer) are for cuts that gape open a little, but in areas that don't move a lot, like a forehead, not for fingers, toes, elbows, etc. You would not use a butterfly.
You can expect that it will bleed a little bit occasionally if you bump it or move it too much. That's okay. You should only be concerned if you are bleeding profusely and cannot control that bleeding. Profuse bleeding would soak your sock and end up dripping on the floor...not just ooze slowly through the bandage.
Change the dressing as needed, at least once a day, until the wound closes. Once it's closed, keep it unbandaged at night, but protected during the day. It should heal in a week or so.
I agree with others that you likely don't need stitches, especially if it initially stopped bleeding with just a bandaid. Stitches are typically for really deep wounds or wounds that otherwise won't stop bleeding. I would a do a little ointment and some steristrips or butterfly bandages, maybe a little gauze to protect your sock from any oozing. Hope you heal up quickly.
I just scanned your other responses.
One thing I want to say is that for bleeding, keep your foot elevated as much as possible. If you can lay down and prop your foot up above heart level is best.
Blood tends to pump to injured areas so keep it elevated and apply gentle pressure by wrapping your toes and foot with an ace bandage.
I'm not a doctor, but I do work in the medical field and I'm a klutz by nature.
Best wishes.
Stitches are generally for wounds that gape and don't close well on their own--length of the wound isn't as important as how deep it is and whether the skin gapes.
WELCOME TO MAMAPEDIA!!!
you have several options. You can bandage it yourself, make sure you clean it daily with peroxide so it doesn't get infected and use a butterfly bandage OR two steri-strips to keep the skin together.
OR you can go to a clinic, your primary care physician or urgent care in your area and have them look at it.
If you can walk on it with minimal pain and bend your toes, you probably didn't break it.
Also - if your foot board is metal - you may need a tetanus shot to prevent any further infections or problems.
Good luck!!
