Not all cuts require stitches, but some wounds need medical attention to heal correctly and prevent complications. Stitches, in particular, help close deep or wide wounds and reduce scarring.
Dr. Rogers Walker and Shelley Gilbert, PA-C, evaluate gashes and lacerations, clean wounds, and offer minor laceration repair here at Walker Family Care in Little River, South Carolina — but how do you know your laceration even needs stitches?
Here are some general signs that your laceration might need stitches.
You might need stitches if:
If you can see fat, muscle, or bone inside the cut, it likely needs stitches. A deep wound may not stop bleeding on its own and requires closure to heal properly.
If your cut continues to bleed after applying firm pressure for 10–15 minutes, seek medical care. Persistent bleeding can indicate damage to blood vessels that require stitches to close.
A small cut may heal on its own, but a long laceration—especially over half an inch—often needs stitches to keep the skin closed and prevent infection.
Wounds on joints, hands, or other areas that move frequently may reopen without stitches, which can then slow the healing process. Stitches provide stability and allow the skin to heal properly.
A facial laceration — even one that isn’t too deep or wide — may need stitches. Stitches can help reduce scarring and help the wound heal better.
Stitches need to be done within a certain timeframe, so don’t wait too long. If you suspect your mild-to-moderate cut requires stitches, visit us as soon as possible.
In the meantime, keep the wound clean, apply gentle pressure to stop the bleeding, and cover it with a sterile bandage.
A note about severe wounds: If you think you need stitches but have other serious injuries — head trauma, crush injuries, spurting blood, open fractures, etc. — call the first responders or go to the nearest emergency room.
When you arrive at Walker Family Care for a laceration, our first step is to assess the wound to determine the best treatment. If Dr. Walker decides that stitches are necessary, we thoroughly clean the area, remove any debris (a process called debridement), and numb it.
Once your sutures are in place, we bandage the wound and provide detailed at-home care instructions so you know exactly how to care for your wound.
We’ll also ask how you sustained your laceration. Depending on what happened, we may recommend additional treatment. For example, you may need a tetanus booster if you sustained an animal bite or a laceration from a rusty or dirty object.
If you’re prescribed antibiotics, complete your entire dose — even if you don’t see any signs of infection. Taking all your medication can help prevent antibiotic resistance.
If you’re in the Myrtle Beach area and think you need stitches, simply walk into our clinic. You can also reach us at 843-280-8333. For less urgent matters, you can schedule appointments online.
