How often have you found a random bruise, scrape, or cut? You know the kind that shows up out of nowhere? Often when faced with one of these conditions we dismiss them because we’re taught from a young age that time heals all. Or that these types of traumas aren’t a serious injury at all. While both can be true, sometimes conditions are at play which can make a seemingly small condition like any of the above much worse. We’re not talking about a paper cut or the time you bumped into your coffee table here.

So, when is it appropriate to seek help or additional treatment, and what can be done for these conditions?

At times when the body suffers trauma to tissue (skin), muscle, or even bone giving the area time isn’t enough. This is especially true when there is inflammation, pain is involved, or tissue regeneration is necessary to facilitate healing.

Here are a few great examples of when and why it’s appropriate to seek medical advice or help when dealing with any cut, scrape, or bruise:

Some damage to skin can’t or shouldn’t be stitched. The nature of the trauma - cuts or punctures specifically- depth and tissue health can cause a wound to be a poor candidate for closure (you wouldn’t want to close tissue that could become infected). In cases such as these doctors will often turn to debridement and wound management to help traumatized tissue heal properly.

A great example of a really bad scrape is road rash. This condition typically occurs because tissue (layers of skin) is dragged along an abrasive surface and is removed as a result. Not only is this type of scrape extremely painful, but the abrasive act itself can cause debris to be left behind in the tissue which can set off infection, improper healing, and a whole host of other issues. But what can or should be done? Keeping the area clean and promoting quick healing is very important.

Bruises can occur due to microscopic tearing in blood vessels (usually as a result of trauma) and in the case of deep tissue bruising or even bone bruising can cause blood and fluid to accumulate. Though bruises are less severe than a fracture, they can be just as painful. If you suffered a trauma and are still having pain, it’s usually a good idea to seek medical advice. Pain is not, and should not be a normal part of your day.

Knowing when and why you might need a little additional medical help is important. Not every trauma, cut, scrape, or bruise is just another run of the mill one. When a Band-Aid won’t cut it a great option to consider is laser therapy. Not only can laser therapy reduce inflammation, pain, and accelerate healing, it can also affect the tissue and nerve in a trauma site to keep down the formation of scar tissue. Why live with pain, when you can live without it?