How to Tell if That Cut Needs Stitches

Nearly everyone gets a cut at some point in their lives. In fact, cuts are a major cause of lost work hours, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most minor cuts heal on their own with a little TLC, including careful cleaning, topical antibiotics, and a bandage. But some cuts need additional medical care, including stitches.

At Clarksburg Urgent Care in Clarksburg, Maryland, our team offers top-quality care for cuts and lacerations, including walk-in urgent care to help you get treatment right away. In this post, learn how to tell when your cut needs stitches, so you can avoid serious complications.

Deep cuts

Shallow cuts typically heal on their own with a little attention from you, like gentle washing to clean your cut, antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, and a bandage for added protection.

Cuts that are more than around a quarter inch deep may not heal as well on their own, often needing stitches to hold the skin together and give your body the support it needs to heal.

Wide or long cuts

Wider or longer cuts can take longer to heal, meaning your risks of infection, bleeding, and tissue damage may increase. Even if a wide or long cut doesn’t need stitches, it’s important to get it medically evaluated to reduce these risks and avoid potential scarring, especially in visible areas.

Wider cuts in particular can make it harder for the edges of your skin to knit back together; stitches or other medical treatment can help this process.

Cuts near joints

Bending at a joint causes the skin around your joint to stretch, making it harder for your skin to knit together. Even if a cut near a joint isn’t especially large, it’s still a good idea to have it evaluated, especially if it’s taking longer to heal or partially heals and then breaks open again.

Cuts that won’t stop bleeding

Bleeding is a natural consequence of a cut, but in most cases, bleeding stops fairly quickly once your body’s natural clotting abilities kick in. Applying pressure to your cut can help this process. If, however, you have a cut that continues to bleed, even soaking through bandages, you might need stitches to close the cut, stop the bleeding, and avoid infection.

Other cuts that need medical care

Sometimes, even cuts that don’t need stitches can still benefit from medical care, especially if:

You can’t adequately clean the cut yourself
Your cut was made by a rusty or dirty object
There’s an object stuck in your skin
You have swelling, pus, fever, or other signs of infection
It’s been 10 years or longer since your last tetanus shot

You should also see your doctor if your cut was made by an animal or has been exposed to outdoor water sources and shows signs of irritation.

Get help for your cut

Cuts may be common, but that doesn’t mean they can’t pose danger. To find out if your cut needs additional medical care, request an appointment at Clarksburg Urgent Care today. Call our office, walk in during regular business hours, or book your visit online.