How to Know if That Cut Needs Stitches

Accidents happen, and sometimes you end up with a cut that makes you wonder, “Do I need stitches?” Knowing when to seek professional medical attention can prevent infections and long-term scarring. Let's break down how to tell if your cut needs stitches.

At Mederi Urgent Care, serving Los Angeles, California, our clinic offers same-day treatment for various illnesses and injuries, including cuts and lacerations that require stitches. In this blog, our experts explain how to know if your mishap needs professional care.

Depth and location matter with stitches

The depth and location of cuts are key indicators. A deep cut that goes through all layers of your skin, exposing muscle, bone, or tendons, almost always requires stitches. Deep wounds are more susceptible to infection and take longer to heal without proper closure.

How deep is deep?

If you can see yellow fatty tissue or anything deeper, you likely need stitches.

Location, location, location

Cuts on areas that move a lot, like your hands, fingers, or joints, often need stitches to heal properly. Cuts on the face also frequently need stitches to minimize scarring. Facial lacerations should always be evaluated quickly to ensure proper cosmetic results.

Bleeding is also a factor

Bleeding that’s heavy and doesn't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure is a red flag. This kind of bleeding often means a deep injury that requires professional attention.

Evaluating the edges and cleanliness is key

Take a close look at the edges of the cut. Are they jagged and gaping or relatively smooth? Jagged edges often need stitches to bring them together for better healing. 

Also, how clean is the wound? If the cut is dirty or contains debris like dirt, gravel, or glass, you need a medical professional to clean and close it properly to prevent infection.

It’s essential to clean wounds thoroughly. If you can’t effectively clean the wound yourself or if debris is embedded, seek urgent care. Untreated dirty wounds have a higher risk of developing bacterial infections. If a dirty object caused the cut, seek professional care.

Signs of infection and other considerations

Even if you're unsure about the depth or edges of the cut, watch for signs of infection. These include:

• Increased pain or swelling
• Redness spreading from the wound
• Pus or drainage
• Fever

If the wound might be infected, prompt medical attention is necessary. Detection and treatment of wound infections are vital to prevent complications.

Also, consider how the injury happened. If you’re bitten by an animal, or a rusty object caused the cut, you may need a tetanus shot or other preventive measures. At Mederi Urgent Care, we can assess your tetanus status and provide appropriate care.

Don’t hesitate to seek help

If you're unsure whether your cut needs stitches, err on the side of caution and see us. We can evaluate and treat your injury to ensure proper healing and minimize scarring. Just come into the office. You can also call us at 213-442-1890 or book an appointment online.