When a Cut Needs Stitches
If you have a bleeding cut, you may be wondering if stitches are necessary. The severity of the cut is a major factor in determining what kind of treatment you need. Stitches are one option available for badly bleeding cuts and open wounds that could become infected. An emergency room doctor can promptly inspect your cut and determine whether stitches or some other type of treatment is the best option for your wound.
Why Get Stitches?
Stitches are used to hold a wound closed while it heals. Small cuts can often be left alone and will heal on their own, but larger cuts often have a greater chance of bleeding excessively or becoming infected. You may want to get stitches to:
- Stop bleeding
- Minimize scarring
- Reduce the risk of infection
- Help gaping cuts heal faster
Sometimes even small cuts may bleed excessively at first. You may find that once a cut is treated, it is actually fairly minor and does not require stitches. However, it is always better to take caution with a cut and seek professional treatment to make sure that the wound does not require special treatment. Your emergency room physician will prescribe the best treatment and will only recommend that you receive stitches if the cut requires them.
Taking Care of Your Cut
After you receive stitches, your doctor will give you some recommendations for proper care. Stitches will typically need to remain in place for at least a few days and sometimes longer depending on the severity and location of the cut. Keep the area clean and avoid getting the cut wet shortly after stitches. Your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic ointment to apply to the area to minimize the chance of an infection.
Contact Us
When you or someone you love has a cut, an experienced ER doctor can inspect your wound and provide the treatment you need. Contact the Houston 24-hour emergency room of Bellaire Emergency Center at 713-669-9900 for more information on how we can help you.
