When Does Your Cut Need Stitches?

You’re shaving or chopping up vegetables when your hand slips, bringing on the sharp pain of a wound. Such injuries are quite common, affecting almost everyone at some point. And while the skin has a remarkable ability to heal, many cuts require medical care to fully get there. 

Our expert team at Arundel Medical Group, Inc. in Glen Burnie, Maryland, provides laceration repair for deep cuts to enhance healing and prevent scarring. If you’re wondering whether your cut needs stitches, keep reading. 

Benefits of stitches

Stitches hold your skin together with various materials, such as nylon or silk, so that your cut can heal properly. At Arundel Medical Group, Inc., we may also recommend adhesive strips or staples, depending on the severity and location of your cut. 

These options support and strengthen your skin while your injury heals, guard against infection, and keep any scarring to a minimum.

Signs your cut needs stitches

If your cut is more than a simple paper cut, there’s a fair chance you could benefit from some type of medical care. We may recommend stitches if your cut:

• Appears deep
• Bleeds heavily
• Bleeds continually, even after applying direct pressure for 5-10 minutes
• Has jagged edges
• Is more than ½-inch long
• Opens widely

You may also require medical treatment if your cut shows signs of an infection, such as warmth or oozing puss, or it contains debris or dirt. The same applies if your cut is located in a delicate area, such as near your eyes, mouth, or genitals. If you’re not sure whether to seek medical care, call our office. It’s always better to steer on the side of safety. 

What to expect during laceration repair

Our physicians at Arundel Medical Group, Inc. assess cuts and perform laceration repair right in our clinic. 

The process starts with a careful examination and thorough cleansing of the area to determine the severity of your injury and prevent it from becoming infected. From there, our team may remove damaged tissue, as well as any debris, using surgical tools before closing your cut. If needed, you’ll receive a local anesthetic beforehand to help keep you comfortable. 

As your cut heals, you may need to return to our office for a check or for removal of your stitches or staples. If you have adhesive strips, they need to remain in place for at least 72 hours. 

To learn more about treatments for a cut or get the care you need, call our office or request an appointment on our website.