How to Know If a Cut Needs Stitches
Cuts and Stitches: What Ontario Parents Need to Know
Your child just got a cut and you're wondering if it needs stitches. Most cuts can be treated at home with basic first aid, but some do need medical attention. Here's how to tell the difference and what to do.
What determines if a cut needs stitches?
Not every cut needs stitches. Healthcare providers look at several things when deciding: how deep the cut is, how long it is, where it's located, and whether the edges stay together on their own.
Generally, cuts longer than half an inch or deeper than a quarter inch often need stitches. But location matters too. Cuts on the face, hands, joints, or genitals are more likely to need professional care because these areas need to heal well for proper function and appearance.
If you can see fat, muscle, or bone through the cut, or if the edges gape open when your child moves normally, stitches are probably needed.
What you might notice with cuts that need stitches
- The cut is longer than half an inch
- The edges don't stay closed on their own
- You can see deeper tissue (fat, muscle, or bone)
- The cut is on the face, hands, joints, or over a bone
- Bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
- The cut happened with a dirty or rusty object
What helps at home for minor cuts
First, stay calm and wash your hands. Clean the cut gently with water and apply direct pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. Most minor cuts stop bleeding within a few minutes.
Once bleeding stops, you can apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. Keep the cut clean and dry, changing the bandage daily. Watch for signs of healing over the next few days.
For small cuts, butterfly bandages or wound closure strips can help hold edges together while healing.
When to get immediate care
Head to the emergency room if the cut won't stop bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure, if you can see bone or deep tissue, or if the cut is from an animal or very dirty object.
Go to the ER immediately if your child seems unwell, has signs of serious blood loss, or if the cut is on the neck, chest, or abdomen.
See a doctor or text Arlo if you're unsure about the cut's severity, if it's been more than 6 hours since the injury, or if you notice signs of infection like increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus in the following days.
The takeaway
Trust your instincts as a parent. When in doubt, it's always better to have a healthcare provider take a look.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References - [When does a cut need stitches?](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/cutsscrapesand_scars)
- [Wound care for children](https://aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=1972&language=english)
- [First aid for cuts and scrapes](https://ontario.ca/page/first-aid-cuts-and-scrapes)