Stitches
Large or deep cuts often don’t heal without stitches. If you or your child sustain such an injury, immediate medical care is essential and available at Centric Urgent Care.
Stitches Q & A
Centric Urgent Care
How can I tell if my injury requires stitches?
It’s not always easy to discern whether an injury will heal on its own or requires stitches. Here are some general rules that indicate a visit to urgent care is necessary:
# You puncture is deep enough that you can see yellow fatty tissue
# Bleeding can’t be controlled with gentle pressure or pressing the edges of a cut together
# The injury is located either: on a joint, near genitalia or on the face
# Was caused by an animal or human bite
# Was caused by a contaminated object, such as a rusty nail
When in doubt, always air on the side of caution and come see us.
Should I clean my wound before I arrive at urgent care?
Yes, if possible it’s best to clean the injury with water and a mild liquid antibacterial soap. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide, as it can cause tissue damage. Also, don’t clean the wound if it requires removing a foreign object, such as a piece of glass or metal. These objects can break off and then be more difficult to entirely remove. In addition, they may be struck an artery and be preventing bleeding. On the way to our office, do your best to directly apply pressure to the wound and keep the injured area elevated.
How do I care for my wound once it’s been stitched?
The doctor will give you detailed instructions. Typically, these include keeping the area dry for at least a couple of days. Dissolving stitches will dissolve on their own. Otherwise, stitches will be removed at a follow-up appointment. Once the stitches are removed, you will likely be instructed to avoid exposing the treated area to direct sunlight for a period of time, and to apply sunscreen whenever going outdoors. You may also be given a cream to minimize scarring.
