How to Determine if a Cut Needs Stitches

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD

Last Updated: March 9, 2025 Fact Checked

Yikes! You've got a cut, and it looks pretty nasty. Sometimes, it's hard to tell if the open wound needs stitches, which help it heal properly and reduce scarring. If you're not sure whether or not it deserves stitching and want to save yourself an unnecessary trip to the hospital if it doesn't, here are some helpful tips and methods you can use to find out if your open wound is really in need of serious medical attention.

Section 1 of 2:

Reasons You Should Visit the Doctor Immediately

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The bleeding won’t stop. Try to stop the bleeding as well as you can. Elevate the injured body part above the level of the heart, as this can help to diminish bleeding. Use a clean cloth or slightly damp paper towel, and apply firm pressure to the open wound for about 5 minutes. ^{[1]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Then, remove the cloth or paper towel to check if it's still bleeding.
- If the bleeding is significant, do not proceed to any other steps and go to the hospital immediately.
- If the bleeding is uncontrollable or blood is gushing from the wound, call emergency services immediately, as this can be life threatening.
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An object is lodged in the area of the wound. If foreign material is present in the injury, see a doctor immediately. ^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} An object in the wound could put you at risk of infection or further injury, and a medical professional is needed to assess the situation and the possibility of needing stitches.
- Do not try to remove the object. Sometimes, the object helps to stop the wound from bleeding excessively.
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Cuts caused by an animal or human pose a higher risk of infection. You may need to be vaccinated for prevention and receive antibiotics, so regardless of whether stitches are needed, seek professional medical help. ^{[3]
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National Health Service (UK)
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Go to source}
If the cut is on the face, the hands, the mouth, or the genitals, it is important to be seen by a doctor, as you may need stitching for cosmetic reasons and proper healing. ^{[4]
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You’re due for a tetanus shot. If you have an open wound and it's been over 10 years since you've had a tetanus shot, go to the hospital. Tetanus shots last no longer than 10 years, and you'll have to be re-vaccinated. ^{[5]
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- A tetanus shot is a vaccine that protects you from tetanus, a life-threatening infection that can enter the body through a cut.

Section 2 of 2:

Knowing When a Cut Needs Stitches

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Understand why stitches are used. Stitches have a multitude of uses. The most common reasons to get stitches are: ^{[6]
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- To close a wound that is too big to be closed otherwise. Using stitches to bring the edges of the wound together can help to speed up healing.
- To prevent infection. If you have a large, gaping wound, closing it with stitches can help minimize the risk of infection. Skin that is broken open, especially large, gaping wounds, is a prime target for infection.
- To prevent or reduce scarring after your wound heals. This is especially important when the cut is on areas of the body that are more cosmetically important, such as the face.
If the cut is greater than ¹ ⁄ ₄ inch (0.64 cm) deep, the wound may be eligible for stitching. If it's deep enough that you can see yellow fatty tissue or even bone, see a doctor for treatment. ^{[7]
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Evaluate the width of the wound. Are the edges of the wound close together, or do they need to be pulled together to cover the exposed tissue? If the edges of the wound need to be pulled together to cover a gap of exposed tissue, stitches may be required. ^{[8]
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- By pulling the edges of the wound close enough to where they can touch, stitches can help to speed healing.
If the open wound is located on a specific area of the body with a lot of movement involved, it will likely need stitching to prevent re-opening. For example, an open wound on the knee joint or fingers (especially where joints connect) would be eligible for stitches, whereas an open wound on the thigh may not need stitching. ^{[9]
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Does my toe need stitches if it is still bleeding a few days after it was cut?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

Persistent bleeding on a cut indicates that it is not healing. This is a cut that certainly needs to be seen by a physician and may benefit from stitches.

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Question

What if the cut is on my brain?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

Any cut that is so deep that it involves the skull or brain tissue would definitely need to be seen immediately at the hospital for assessment by a neurosurgeon. It would also require imaging, such as a head CT. This is a medical emergency and should be treated without delay. It is not something you can figure out or treat on your own.

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Getting stitches might hurt a little bit, but they help your body heal and get healthy quicker.

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If you're still unsure whether your wound needs to be stitched, go to the hospital just to be safe.

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Warnings

Always go to the hospital if there is uncontrollable or persistent bleeding or the wound is contaminated.

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Always keep up to date with vaccinations and shots to prevent severe infections and disease.

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