Accidents can happen unexpectedly. Whether you’re cooking at home, or your child falls at the playground, serious cuts and lacerations require immediate care.
In these moments, you might find yourself asking, “Does my cut need stitches?” and “Can you get them at urgent care, or do you need an emergency room?”
Keep reading to discover which types of wounds require stitches, when to seek emergency or urgent care, and what to expect during your visit.
At CareWell, it’s our mission to share the information you need to make informed health decisions quickly and confidently.
How Do I Know If I Need Stitches?
Most minor cuts and lacerations can heal on their own without medical intervention.
However, knowing when to seek urgent care for stitches is crucial for proper healing and preventing complications like infections.
You might need them in the following situations:
- Depth—Cuts deep enough to see fat, muscle, or bone.
- Length—Cuts and lacerations longer than half an inch.
- Location—Cuts on the face, joints, or hands (they help prevent re-opening of the wound, minimize scarring, and preserve mobility).
- Bleeding—Bleeding that does not stop within 10-15 minutes of firm, direct pressure over the wound.
- Appearance—Cuts with jagged or uneven edges or open wounds (they help bring the edges together, helping them heal more effectively).
If you are unsure whether a cut or laceration needs stitches, err on the side of caution, and seek prompt medical attention.
The skilled medical team at CareWell Urgent Care can quickly assess your injury and provide stitches if needed.
How Deep of a Cut Requires Stitches?
While there are exceptions, cuts longer than half an inch or deeper than a quarter inch typically require them to stop excessive bleeding and provide optimal healing.
Additional considerations include:
- It remains open at rest.
- It contains debris (e.g., dirt, glass, gravel).
- It is in a location that bends, stretches, or moves a lot.
Getting Stitches: What to Expect
What does urgent care do for stitches? Here is everything you need to know:
When you visit CareWell Urgent Care, your provider will assess the depth, size, and location of your laceration to determine if stitches are necessary. Next, they will clean the wound and apply anesthesia to numb the area and minimize discomfort during the stitching process.
Once the area is numb, the provider will carefully stitch the wound using surgical thread. Depending on the wound and healing requirements, they may use a dissolvable or non-dissolvable thread. If your provider uses non-dissolvable thread, you will need to schedule a follow-up visit to have them removed.
How Do I Care for Stitches?
Follow these steps to ensure optimal healing and avoid complications:
- Keep them dry for the first 24-48 hours.
- Gently clean area with mild soap and warm water.
- Change dressings regularly.
- Avoid tension to minimize the risk of tearing.
- Follow all provider guidance on pain management (e.g., over-the-counter pain relievers).
- Watch for signs of infection (e.g., redness, swelling, pain, pus, odor, or fever). If you experience one or more of these signs, contact your healthcare provider right away to avoid complications or return to the clinic for revaluation.
- Avoid direct and prolonged sun exposure and apply sunscreen to prevent hyperpigmentation and scarring.
- Moisturize regularly once the wound has sufficiently healed.
- Follow-up as needed with your healthcare provider.
Should I Visit the ER or Urgent Care for Stitches?
We hope this information helps you and your loved ones quickly and confidently decide between an emergency room or urgent care for stitches.
If you are unsure about the severity of your cut or laceration, or if you have debris inside your wound visit an urgent care center as soon as possible. We can help minimize your risk of infection.
Visit CareWell Urgent Care for Stitches and Quality Care
At CareWell Urgent Care, we understand you need prompt and compassionate care when you are injured or feeling unwell. Our experienced clinical staff prioritizes your comfort and well-being, ensuring you receive expert care and quality treatment when you need it most.
Visit one of our 12 Massachusetts and Rhode Island locations for expert wound care and stitches for people of all ages.