Cuts and Wounds in Alanya: Cleaning, Stitches and Tetanus
Stop the bleeding first with firm direct pressure, then clean the wound under running water. Wounds that gape open, are deeper than a few millimetres, are on the face, or will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of pressure need to be closed — and closure works best within six to eight hours.
What it is
Holiday wounds have a pattern: rocks and sea urchins at the beach, broken glass around the pool, scooter and moped grazes, kitchen cuts in self-catering apartments, and burns from cooking or hot surfaces.
Two things decide the outcome. The first is how well the wound is cleaned — most wound infections come from what was left inside. The second is timing: a wound that needs stitches should be closed within six to eight hours, because after that the infection risk makes closure unwise.
Symptoms
- Bleeding that continues after several minutes of pressure
- Wound edges that gape apart when the limb is moved
- Numbness, tingling or weakness beyond the wound — possible nerve damage
- Inability to move a finger or toe fully — possible tendon damage
- Something still in the wound: glass, grit, a spine
- Later: increasing pain, spreading redness, swelling, pus, or fever — infection
Clinic hours: 09:00–19:00, seven days a week
House calls: 24/7
First aid, in the right order
- Stop the bleeding. Firm, continuous, direct pressure with a clean cloth for at least ten minutes without lifting it to peek. Raise the limb above the level of the heart.
- Clean the wound once the bleeding is controlled: running clean water for several minutes. Do not scrub; do not use alcohol, iodine or hydrogen peroxide inside the wound, which damages tissue.
- Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing.
- Seek help if it needs closing — and do it the same day.
Pressure comes before cleaning: you cannot clean a wound that is still bleeding heavily. Leave any large embedded object in place and press around it — pulling it out can make the bleeding much worse.
Tetanus
Tetanus protection lasts about ten years. If your last booster was more than ten years ago — or more than five for a dirty, deep or contaminated wound — you need one. It is available here and takes a minute.
When to call a doctor
- Bleeding that will not stop after 10–15 minutes of firm pressure — call 112 if it is heavy
- A wound that gapes open, or is longer than about 1–2 cm and deep
- Any wound on the face, or crossing a joint
- Numbness, weakness, or inability to move the part fully
- Glass, grit, a sea-urchin spine or any other material still inside
- Animal or human bites — these are high-risk and need assessment even when they look minor
- Deep or dirty wounds when tetanus cover is out of date
- Later signs of infection: spreading redness, swelling, pus, fever, or red streaks running from the wound
112 is the emergency number in Turkey — free from any phone, answered in English.
Prevention
How to avoid it
- Wear something on your feet on rocky beaches and around pools
- Keep a small first-aid kit in the room: dressings, tape, antiseptic, gloves
- Check your tetanus status before travelling
- Do not use a moped in flip-flops
What we do
Getting seen in Alanya
Oguzhan Care sees this at the clinic in Oba and on house calls to hotels and apartments across Alanya, 24 hours a day. The doctor examines you, treats what can be treated on the spot, and writes the report your insurer will want.
FAQ
Cuts, Wounds & Stitches: common questions
Ideally within six to eight hours. After that the infection risk usually makes closure a bad idea, and the wound is managed differently — so it is worth being seen quickly.
Often, yes. Adhesive strips or tissue glue work well for clean, straight, low-tension cuts, particularly in children. Which method suits your wound is decided when it is examined.
Cleaning, closure with glue or strips, stitches, dressings and a tetanus injection can all be done during a house call. Wounds with nerve or tendon damage, or heavy contamination, are referred to hospital.
Superficial spines can sometimes be removed; deep ones often cannot be dug out safely and are managed conservatively. Soaking in hot water helps the pain. Have it looked at — retained spines cause infection and lasting inflammation.
Read next
Related pages
Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for a consultation. If someone is unconscious, struggling to breathe, bleeding heavily or having chest pain, call 112 — the Turkish emergency number — immediately.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Oğuzhan Özkan, physician, Alanya. Last reviewed: 11 August 2026.
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