Spring means more time outside working in the yard, planting gardens, and taking care of outdoor projects. Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds are common this time of year. Most heal on their own, but certain wounds need medical attention.
We see wound-related visits at Extended Care Medical in Dothan, Alabama, every spring. Many people wait too long to come in, assuming a wound will eventually heal. However, recognizing when you need professional care can save you from weeks of complications.
A cut that looks fine for several days can suddenly develop concerning symptoms, indicating that bacteria have taken hold.
Watch for these infection warning signs:
The skin around an infected wound often feels hot to the touch and becomes increasingly tender. Swelling that worsens after the first 48 hours suggests your body can’t fight off the infection on its own.
Spring soil contains various bacteria that can cause serious infections. Puncture wounds from gardening tools, rusty nails, or thorns create deep pockets where bacteria can multiply without exposure to air.
These types of injuries need professional cleaning and possibly antibiotics, even when they look minor on the surface.
Most minor cuts stop bleeding within 10-15 minutes when you apply direct pressure. Wounds that continue bleeding after 20-30 minutes of steady pressure need medical evaluation.
Deep cuts can damage blood vessels that can’t seal on their own. Injuries to joints, hands, or areas that bend frequently can make it hard to keep them closed because movement repeatedly pulls the edges apart.
You might need stitches if:
Waiting too long to get stitches makes closure more difficult and increases infection risk. Most wounds can be stitched within 6-8 hours of injury, although facial wounds sometimes allow for slightly longer windows.
Some wounds look clean on the surface but have dirt, splinters, or other foreign material lodged deep in the tissue. You can rinse and bandage all you want, but these hidden contaminants prevent proper healing.
Puncture wounds are particularly problematic because they cause narrow, deep channels that trap debris.
A rusty nail, thorn, or piece of wood can push bacteria and foreign material into tissue layers you can't reach with soap and water. The wound might close over at the surface while infection develops underneath.
It doesn't take much time for a simple wound to turn into an emergency, so don’t wait until it does to seek help. Call our Dothan office today or schedule an appointment online if your wound shows infection signs, won’t stop bleeding, or has debris you can’t clean.