• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Services
    • Emergency Room
    • Pediatric Emergencies
    • Trauma and Injury Care
    • Cardiology
    • Imaging & Radiology
    • Laboratory Services
    • Workers Compensation
    • Inpatient Medical Services
    • Other Services
  • Patients
    • Our Location
    • Pay Your Bill
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Explanation of Benefits
    • Patient Rights
    • Pricing Transparency
    • Insurance Coverage
    • Medical Records
  • News
Beaumont Emergency Hospital

Beaumont Emergency Hospital

24-Hour Emergency Room - Beaumont, Texas

  • About Us
    • Why Choose Us?
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Testimonials
  • Pricing
  • Contact Us

When Should I Visit The Emergency Room With a Cut?

We’ve all had a small cut before. They aren’t fun, but they are easy to clean, put a band-aid on and take care of at home. But when is a cut serious enough that it requires a trip to the emergency room?

One of the top reasons we see patients here in the emergency room is for cuts. But the truth is, not all cuts require a visit to the ER. When it comes to cuts, here are a few instances where I would recommend a quick visit to Beaumont Emergency Hospital.

ER Trip Recommended, if…

  • If your cut is deep and exposes the deeper layers of your skin gaping open
  • You can’t push the edges together with gentle pressure
  • Located on or across a joint from an animal or human bite
  • Caused by a foreign object impaling the area
  • Made by a high-pressure impact such as a gunshot wound
  • Is due to a very dirty or rusty object
  • Refusing to stop bleeding
  • On the face or on or near your genitalia

Even If you make the decision to come in, there are things you should consider prior to your visit to the ER because of a laceration.

Important Things To Rember

  • Leave foreign objects alone If you have been impaled by something, leave it in and let the doctors take care of it. You can not be sure how much damage the object has caused and removing it has the potential to cause even more damage with devastating consequences.
  • Bites and dirty wounds need special treatment
  • If you’ve been bitten or if your cut was caused by something contaminated or rusty, seek out an ER immediately.
  • If you haven’t had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years, plan on receiving one during your visit.

Cleaning The Wound

Clean the wound if you can If possible, gently clean the lacerated area before you arrive. You can use tap water with liquid antibacterial soap Avoid other cleaning agents since they have the potential to cause damage tissue. Do not apply topical antibiotics such as Neosporin and Bacitracin since they will eliminate the option to use surgical glue when appropriate

Stop The Bleeding

Lastly, be sure to elevate the wound and apply pressure on the way to the ER. The goal here is to slow or stop as much bleeding as possible. Chances are if you suffer a laceration of any kind that it will be minor enough to care for at home. Keep it clean and covered and be sure to keep an eye on it. Should you begin to suspect or see signs of infection, seek medical help immediately.

Don’t Eat Or Drink Anything

Something else to consider is avoiding anything to eat or drink before arriving at the ER. There is a chance, depending on the severity of your wound that sedation will be necessary. Many times this is to help smaller children remain still during suturing. So, until you are sure that sedation is not required, wait to eat or feed your child.

We obviously hope you avoid any cuts whatsoever, but should disaster strike, rest easy and know that I, along with our team of ER doctors and nurses are here 24/7 at Beaumont Emergency Hospital are ready to deliver the quickest and the best treatment available


Category: Doctor's CornerTag: Animal Bites, Cuts, Gunshot, Human Bites, Infection, Lacerations Last Update: September 9, 2019

4004 College Street,
Beaumont, TX 77707

(409) 840-4004

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

© 2025 · Beaumont Emergency Hospital.

Services

  • Emergency Room
  • Pediatric Emergencies
  • Trauma & Injury Care
  • Cardiology
  • Imaging & Radiology
  • Laboratory Services
  • Worker’s Compensation
  • Other Services

Patients

  • Location
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Understanding Your Bill
  • Explanation of Benefits
  • Patients Rights
  • Pricing Transparency
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprise Billing

ABOUT

  • Why Choose Us?
  • Leadership
  • Careers
  • Testimonials
  • News & Events
  • Privacy Policy