Initial Care: must be cleaned, medicated when called for, and dressed as soon as possible

Post Care: does not normally require sutures but should remain covered and cleaned of all debris

Initial Care: should be cleaned, medicated if needed, and dressed as soon as possible to avoid infection

Post Care: deep lacerations may require sutures to heal, but physicians should determine if that is needed

Initial Care: must be cleaned, medicated if needed, and dressed as soon as possible

Post Care: physicians may determine that sutures are needed depending on the severity of the incision

Initial Care: must be cleaned, medicated if needed such as a tetanus booster shot, and dressed as soon as possible

Post Care: should be referred immediately to a physician in case sutures are needed

Initial Care: to reattach the torn tissue, the avulsed tissue should be placed on a moist gauze, preferably saturated with saline solution, and taken with the athlete to the hospital for reattachment

Post Care: should see if a physician determines sutures are needed

-should be treated as though they have been contaminated with microorganisms

-should be cleaned with copious amounts of soap and water or a sterile solution

-avoid using hydrogen peroxide and bacterial solutions initially

-sterile dressings should be applied to keep fresh wounds clean (occlusive dressings are both air-tight and waterproof)

-antibacterial ointments are effective in limiting surface bacterial growth

-saline solution is recommended for cleaning wounds repeatedly

-pain, heat, redness, swelling, and disordered function

-pus may form due to accumulated white blood cells

-fever may occur as the immune system fights bacterial infection

-most infections can be treated with antibiotics

-infections can become more severe though if it is not diagnosed early or the antibiotics first given don't work