Anyone have experience dealing with such? Not a huge gash but not a small one either.
Was sparring (without a mouthpiece) and got a nice little cut/hole inside my mouth, under the lip across from my front left front bottom tooth. A couple millimeters in both length and depth. It appears to be healing, although still remains a nice lil hole 4-5 days later. Tissue inside of lacerated area has stopped bleeding and has either whitened or become a very dark red (not sure if that's normal or a sign of infection, the laceration isn't secreting juices or puss per say) Though the hole remains and has only closed up slightly so far. Hurts a bit to the touch or when I slightly exaggerate the normal the movements of the mouth. Area surrounding the laceration is slightly reddened & enflamed.
Any advice? Mouth wash or mixed solution that should apply to it? Should I go to the ER and request they sanitize & stitch it up just for good measure?
I’m an acute care RN, but not one who works in the ED. That said, I rarely see patients with infections from what you describe. Hope those links, and the below, help. When in doubt, always see a professional. But I know how expensive that can be.
“Lacerations that bleed for more than 15 minutes after holding pressure may require stitches. Tissue flaps, cuts through the vermilion border, and deep lacerations that involve the musculature usually require stitches as do those lacerations that penetrate all away through the skin, and those with jagged, irregular edges and deeper than about 3/4 centimeter in depth. In addition, the skin at the right and left corners of the mouth may have a tendency to bleed freely and also may require a stitch to prevent bleeding and further damage.”