Butterfly bandages: When to skip the ER for cuts

You have likely been there — an unexpected cut that leaves you wondering whether you need to rush to the emergency room for stitches or if you can treat it yourself at home.

“Unfortunately, you can’t skip out on the emergency room for a cut that is more than a quarter inch deep, is still profusely bleeding after 15 minutes of applying pressure, or that exposes fat, muscle or bone,” explains Dr. Noah Einstein, an emergency medicine physician at Advocate Health Care. “You need stitches for this type of severe cut to stop the bleeding and reduce the risk of infection.”

An urgent care setting may be appropriate for minor cuts; however, you can treat most small cuts that aren’t deep and don’t have jagged edges from home by applying a butterfly bandage, which you can purchase at most retail pharmacies.

“A butterfly bandage pulls the skin on each side of the minor cut together to simulate stitches,” Dr. Einstein explains. “This special bandage design promotes healing, prevents infection and saves you an unnecessary trip to the emergency room.”

Before applying the butterfly bandage, make sure your hands and the cut are clean. Examine the cut and report any signs of infection to your primary care provider who may need to prescribe an antibiotic.

For the best results, follow the application instructions provided on the packaging and leave the bandage on for two weeks. Be gentle and avoid tugging the skin upward when removing the bandage.

Butterfly bandages are not a substitute for stitches when it comes to deep cuts. In fact, incorrect use can result in severe infection.

If you have any doubts about whether you need stitches, seek medical attention.

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