Cuts & Laceration Treatment In Westmont, IL

MedlinePlus advises contacting a provider right away for:

• A large or deep wound, or one where you can see bone
• A cut on the face deeper than about a quarter inch, which may need stitches
• An animal or human bite
• A puncture from a nail, a fishhook, or a rusty object
• Something stuck in the wound
• Signs of infection: warmth, redness, swelling, drainage or fever
• A wound when your last tetanus shot was more than 10 years ago

First aid before you come in

Wash your hands. Press a clean cloth firmly on the cut to slow bleeding. Rinse a minor wound with soap and water. Cover it with a clean bandage. Do not dig for objects stuck deep in the skin.

A provider looks at the size, depth and location of the wound and checks feeling and movement near it. The area is numbed if needed, then cleaned well to lower the chance of infection.

Depending on the wound, it may be closed with stitches (sutures), staples, or medical skin adhesive. Some wounds are safer left open to heal. We then dress the wound and explain how to care for it at home.

• Tetanus vaccination when your history shows you need it
• Written wound-care instructions
• Wound checks and stitch removal at our clinic

The CDC notes that tetanus bacteria enter the body through broken skin, and that wounds contaminated with dirt, puncture wounds and deep injuries deserve a provider’s review.

• Bleeding that is heavy or does not stop with pressure
• Numbness, or the injured part cannot move normally
• A cut with an amputation, or bone showing through the skin
• A deep wound to the chest, belly, neck or eye
• Signs of shock, such as fainting, confusion, or pale, clammy skin

For these, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

• Immunizations, including tetanus boosters
• Minor burns treatment
• Foreign body removal from the ears, nose and skin
• Fracture evaluation if the injury may involve a bone

Kitchen, garage and yard injuries bring us patients from Clarendon Hills, IL, Willowbrook, IL, Oak Brook, IL and Darien, IL. Willowbrook, IL is about 2.7 miles southeast of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line), and Oak Brook, IL is about 2.9 miles northeast.

Close by? See our Westmont, IL urgent care page.

We take most major insurance plans, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Call (630) 324-6825 to confirm your plan, and see our insurance and cost information.

Without insurance, you can use our flat, upfront self-pay urgent care pricing. A general visit starts at $125. Ask us about added costs for procedures before treatment begins.

How do I know if I need stitches?

Deep, gaping or long cuts, cuts on the face, and cuts that keep bleeding often need closure. A provider can tell after examining the wound.

Do I need a tetanus shot?

If your last tetanus shot was more than 10 years ago, you likely need one. Some dirty or deep wounds may call for a booster sooner. We check your history.

Can you remove my stitches later?

Yes. We remove stitches and check how the wound is healing.

Should I go to the ER instead?

Yes, if bleeding will not stop, the area is numb or cannot move, or bone is showing. Call 911.