How to Know if That Cut Needs Stitches

Cuts and lacerations are a common type of injury, yet they can still take you by surprise. Whether you fall in the front yard or slip while chopping vegetables, you need to understand proper wound care and when to seek medical attention.

Some cuts may need stitches to heal without scarring or complications. But how do you know which ones do? Dr. Manzoor Kazi and our team at Palm Desert Urgent Care advise you to follow these guidelines. 

Look at the size of the cut

The size of your cut or laceration can indicate whether or not you need stitches to hold it closed during healing. If your cut is either longer or deeper than half an inch, it may require stitches.

Head to urgent care if you can see bone or fatty tissue through a cut or laceration. If the wound gapes open and won’t stay together, stitches or medical-grade adhesives can promote healing. Deep puncture wounds may also need medical attention.

Evaluate the amount of bleeding

Any amount of bleeding after a startling accident can seem disturbing. Take a deep breath and use basic first-aid techniques to try to stop the bleeding. 

Apply gentle pressure to the wound to help your body’s natural wound-healing agents — the platelets in your blood — stop the bleeding. Don’t apply so much pressure that you feel excessive pain.

After applying pressure, wait 5-10 minutes, then assess the amount of bleeding again. If your wound still oozes blood after 15 minutes, you need professional treatment and will probably receive stitches.

If blood spurts (rather than seeps) from the cut or laceration, an artery may be severed. Apply pressure immediately and seek medical care right away.

Consider the circumstances of the injury

Certain circumstances may warrant a trip to urgent care. If your cut came from an animal bite, rusty metal, or tools or implements that might not be clean, urgent care support may help you avoid complications.

Foreign objects or material inside the cut may need professional cleaning. You may also need antibiotics or a tetanus shot in addition to stitches.

The location of the cut on your body may also indicate that you should err on the side of caution and head to urgent care. For example, a cut near your eyes, eyelids, or genitals should be evaluated by a professional.

Our team at Palm Desert Urgent Care offers walk-in evaluation and treatment for cuts and lacerations. If you think you might need stitches, or even if you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact us online or over the phone, or walk in for urgent care support at our Palm Desert, California location.