To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What are your main symptoms? How long have you had your symptoms?
• How and when did the injury occur? Have you had any injuries in the past to the same area? Do you have any continuing problems because of the previous injury?
• What object caused the injury? Was there or is there an object in the cut?
• What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help? Be sure to include any nonprescription medications you have taken or used. Did they help?
• What prescription and nonprescription medicine do you take?
• Was your injury caused by abuse?
• Were drugs or alcohol involved in your injury?
• When was your last tetanus shot?
• Do you have any health risks?