Serious cuts or incisions from surgical procedures may require stitches, or sutures, to hold tissues together while they heal. The goal is to piece together the edges so that skin and other tissues can fuse back together. Then the stitches are removed.
Although it’s natural to feel a little anxious if you’re getting stitches, especially if you’ve just experienced trauma. And stitches will help cuts heal with minimal scarring or risk for infection.
Signs a Cut May Need Stitches
It’s not always easy to tell if a cut requires stitches. You should seek medical care for any cut that:
- Is deep, jagged, or gaping
- Is on the face or another part of the body where scarring may be an issue
- Bleeds profusely without stopping after 20 minutes of direct pressure
- Feels numb
- Is in a hand or limb that doesn’t function properly after being cut
If any of these criteria apply to your injury, see a doctor as soon as you can. In the meantime, apply direct pressure to help control bleeding. It might also help to raise the injured area above the level of your heart, if possible.
If you are injured and have not had a tetanus shot in more than five years visit us today.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/
