When Does a Cut Need Stitches? A Guide for Palm Beach County Patients

What it involves

A cut, also called a laceration, is a break or opening in the skin. A puncture is made by a pointed object and can look small on the surface while reaching deeper layers. Whether a wound needs stitches depends on its depth, location, and cause, which is why the signs below matter more than how bad it looks. The practice lists wound closure and sutures among its services, and the [[wound care page|/wound-care-minor-procedures/]] covers that care at the offices that provide it.

Who this is for

• Adults and parents deciding whether a cut can wait or needs a same-day visit
• Patients with a cut from a rusty object, a fishhook, or a nail
• Patients unsure whether their last tetanus shot is recent enough
• Patients with a wound that looks infected days after the injury

What to expect

• Questions about how the injury happened and when
• A look at the wound's depth, location, and any debris, and a check of tetanus vaccination status
• A decision on whether the wound can be closed, treated another way, or needs the emergency room
• Aftercare instructions and signs of infection to watch for

Cuts that may need stitches

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider right away if the wound is large or deep, even if the bleeding is not severe. It adds that stitches may be needed in these situations:

• The wound is more than a quarter inch deep
• It is on the face
• It reaches the bone
• An object or debris is stuck in it, which you should not remove yourself

Injuries that deserve a call even if the cut looks small

MedlinePlus lists other reasons to contact a provider promptly: a bite from a person or animal, a cut caused by a fishhook or rusty object, stepping on a nail or similar object, and not having had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years. A puncture can look minor while the injury is deeper than it appears.

First aid for a minor cut

MedlinePlus lists these steps for a minor cut, in order:

• Wash your hands with soap first
• Wash the cut thoroughly with mild soap and water
• Use direct pressure to stop the bleeding
• Apply antibacterial ointment and a clean bandage that will not stick to the wound

Do not do these things

MedlinePlus warns against assuming a wound is clean because you cannot see dirt, against trying to clean a major wound once the bleeding is controlled, and against pushing or picking at debris. It says not to remove a long or deeply stuck object, and to seek medical attention instead.

When to call 911 instead

MedlinePlus says to call 911 or the local emergency number if bleeding is severe or cannot be stopped, for example after 10 minutes of pressure, if the person cannot feel the injured area or it does not work right, or if the person is otherwise seriously injured. Our sick visit versus urgent care versus ER guide covers the wider decision.

Signs a wound is getting infected

MedlinePlus lists warmth and redness around the wound, a painful or throbbing feeling, fever, swelling, a red streak extending from the wound, and pus-like drainage. It also says bites, punctures, crush injuries, dirty wounds, wounds on the feet, and wounds that were not promptly treated are more likely to become infected. Any of these signs is a reason to call the office that day. Insect bites and stings are a different kind of skin injury from a cut, and the insect bites and stings guide explains how to remove a stinger and when swelling is an emergency.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Cuts and puncture wounds
• MedlinePlus — Wounds and Injuries