Facial Wound Treatment: Options & What to Expect

Doctors should treat serious facial injuries. Under a doctor's care, wounds will be numbed; cleaned; and repaired with stitches, glue or bandages. Tetanus shots are often given to protect against lockjaw.

Significance

• Facial wounds can damage the neck, brain or eyes so it's important to have them treated properly. Wounds involving a knife or gun must be reported to the police.

Treatment

• Doctors use sutures, glues or bandages to repair cuts in the facial region. Staples may also be required. Scalp wounds may require staples. Dermabond glue closes cuts without stitches.

Scarring

• Most cuts leave a scar. To reduce scarring in the facial region, remove stitches when instructed, keep the wound out of the sun, apply sunscreen and vitamin E after healing, and quit smoking if you smoke.

Infection

• Facial wounds heal well due to a rich blood supply; only about five percent of cuts will get infected and need a doctor's care. To reduce the chance of infection, clean wounds gently with water or saline, dry and cover with an antibiotic ointment.

Famous Wounds

• The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh's ear was cut off either during a seizure or during an argument with Gauguin, another painter.