Determining whether a cut requires stitches can be crucial for proper healing and preventing infection. A cut may need stitches if it is deep, gaping, or longer than half an inch. Additionally, knowing when a cut needs stitches can help ensure timely and appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of complications. In this blog, we’ll explore a few signs that indicate your cut needs stitches, explain how stitches help your injury heal, as well as highlight when it’s necessary to seek medical attention.
For same-day injury treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Aberdeen. Our medical team is available to assess the extent of your injury and provide stitches with no appointment necessary. Walk-in any day of the week to start recovering in the right hands!
Signs Your Cut Needs Stitches
Knowing when a cut needs stitches is important for proper healing and to prevent infection. Here are some signs that a cut may need stitches:
- If the cut is deep, more than a quarter-inch (about 6 mm).
- The cut is longer than half an inch (about 1.3 cm).
- The edges of the cut are jagged or gaping and won't close on their own.
- The cut is on a part of the body where scarring is a concern, such as the face or hands.
- The cut is bleeding heavily and doesn’t stop after applying pressure for 10-15 minutes.
- You can see underlying structures such as fat, muscle, or bone.
- The cut was caused by something dirty or rusty, increasing the risk of infection.
- The cut is extremely painful or is accompanied by numbness around the wound.
Immediate Care for Cuts and Scrapes
Immediate care for cuts and scrapes involves several steps to clean and protect the wound:
- Wash your hands: Ensure your hands are clean to prevent infection.
- Stop the bleeding: Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage until the bleeding stops.
- Clean the wound: Rinse the wound with clean water to remove dirt and debris. Use mild soap around the wound, but avoid getting soap directly in the wound.
- Disinfect: Apply an antiseptic or antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection.
- Cover the wound: Use a sterile bandage or gauze to cover the wound. Change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.
- Keep an eye on the wound: Watch for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, increased pain, or pus.
- Avoid picking at scabs: Let scabs form naturally to protect the wound as it heals.
How Stitches Help with Healing
Stitches, or sutures, aid in healing by:
- Closing the wound: Stitches bring the edges of a wound together, which helps it close properly and reduces the size of the scar.
- Reducing infection: By sealing the wound, stitches help keep out bacteria and other contaminants that could cause illness.
- Stopping bleeding: Stitches can help control bleeding by compressing blood vessels and tissues.
- Promoting faster healing: Properly aligned edges heal more quickly and efficiently because the tissue can regenerate more easily.
- Minimizing scarring: By holding the wound edges together, stitches can result in a more aesthetically pleasing and less noticeable scar.
- Supporting structures: For deep wounds, stitches help to support underlying tissues and structures, such as muscles and tendons. It also ensures proper function and alignment during the healing process.
If you have a deep cut, are bleeding excessively, have jagged edges, or show signs of infection, it's essential to seek medical attention. Visiting an urgent care center can provide you with professional care, ensuring the wound is thoroughly cleaned, properly closed and monitored for complications. Don't hesitate to get the care you need to promote optimal healing and prevent further issues.
Get Walk-In Injury Care and Stitches at AFC Urgent Care Aberdeen
Do you suspect that your cut needs stitches? AFC Urgent Care Aberdeen is fully equipped to treat your injury on-site. Our board-certified staff is trained in emergency medicine, allowing you to receive immediate treatment when you visit our facility. Our medical team is available seven days a week to provide the best urgent care services to all patients in the Aberdeen, NJ area– with no appointments necessary. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about injury treatment and stitches, or other services we provide, please contact us directly at (732) 583-5100.
