Cuts: When Stitches Are Needed
It is important to determine if your cut needs to be closed with stitches. The location and type of cut also affects how soon it should be treated.
Stop the bleeding and wash the cut well. Then pinch the sides of the cut together. If the edges come together and it looks better, you may need stitches. If stitches may be needed, do not use an antiseptic until after a doctor checks the cut.
Most cuts that need treatment should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin glue (also called liquid stitches) within 6 to 8 hours after the injury.
- Some cuts that need treatment can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury. Your risk of infection increases the longer the cut remains open.
- Sometimes a cut with a high risk of infection, such as a cut made with a dirty object, won't be stitched until after 24 hours. Or it won't be stitched at all, so it can be cleaned well to prevent infection.
- A cut from a clean object, such as a clean kitchen knife, may be treated from 12 to 24 hours after the injury depending on the location of the cut.
- A facial cut may be treated to reduce scarring.
Treatment by a doctor is more likely to be needed for:
- Cuts that are more than 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) deep, that have jagged edges, or that gape open.
- Deep cuts that go down to the fat, muscle, bone, or other deep structures.
- Deep cuts over a joint, especially if the cut opens when the joint is moved or if pulling the edges of the cut apart shows fat, muscle, bone, or joint structures.
- Deep cuts on the hands or fingers.
- Cuts on the face, lips, or any area where you are worried about scarring (for cosmetic reasons). Cuts on the eyelids often need treatment for both functional and cosmetic reasons.
- Cuts longer than 0.75 in. (19.05 mm) that are deeper than 0.25 in. (6.35 mm).
- Cuts that continue to bleed after 15 minutes of direct pressure.
Treatment by a doctor may not be needed for:
- Cuts with smooth edges that stay together during normal movement of the affected body part.
- Shallow cuts less than 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) deep and less than 0.75 in. (19.05 mm) long.
- Most puncture wounds do not need treatment and heal faster if they are not closed with stitches, staples, or skin glue.
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Current as of: October 3, 2025
Current as of: October 3, 2025