When do cuts need stitches

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Topic Overview It is important to determine if your wound needs to be closed by a doctor. Wounds that have an increased risk of infection, such as dirty cuts or crush injuries, are usually closed within 6 hours after the injury.

Occasionally a wound that has an increased risk of infection will not be closed until after 24 hours, or may not be stitched at all, so that adequate cleaning and antibiotic treatment can be done initially to prevent infection. A cut with a clean object, such as a clean kitchen knife, may be treated from 12 to 24 hours after the injury depending on the location of the cut.

A facial wound may be treated to reduce scarring. Treatment by a doctor is more likely to be needed for: Wounds that are more than 6. Deep wounds that go down to the fat, muscle, bone, or other deep structures.

Deep wounds over a joint, especially if the wound opens when the joint is moved or if pulling the edges of the wound apart shows fat, muscle, bone, or joint structures. Deep wounds on the hands or fingers. Wounds on the face, lips, or any area where you are worried about scarring for cosmetic reasons.

Wounds on the eyelids often need treatment for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Some mild redness around it is normal. But call the doctor right away if:. A health care provider will take out the stitches later.

How long they stay in depends on the kind of cut and where it is. Sometimes, doctors put small white sticky tapes butterfly bandages over the stitches to give them extra strength. These tapes loosen in a few days and fall off on their own.

Most cuts, even those fixed by stitches, leave a small scar. That's because when the deeper layer of the skin is injured, the body uses the protein collagen to help fill in the cut area. The filled-in area becomes a scar. Over time, some scars fade or get smaller. Reviewed by: Kate M. Find your nearest urgent care centre.

You should also see a GP if you think the cut is not healing properly, or may be showing signs of infection. Common signs of infection include:. The cut may need to be cleaned or stitched, and you may be given antibiotics. Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one. You should also raise the injured body part above the level of the heart so the bleeding slows down and stops.

If it's your hand or arm, raise it above your head; if it's a lower limb, lie down and raise it.