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Categories
Health
First Aid and Emergency Health Care
Wound First Aid
How to Determine if a Cut Needs Stitches Download ArticleExplore this Article Sections 1 Reasons You Should Visit the Doctor Immediately 2 Knowing When a Cut Needs Stitches Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD
Last Updated: February 20, 2026 Fact Checked
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This article was medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. 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. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,615,136 times.
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.
Steps
Section 1 of 2:
Reasons You Should Visit the Doctor Immediately
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1 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. 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.
2 An object is lodged in the area of the wound. If foreign material is present in the injury, see a doctor immediately. 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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3 The cut has been caused by a human or animal bite. 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.
4 The injury is on the face, hands, or genitals. 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.
5 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.[1]X Trustworthy Source Cleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
A tetanus shot is a vaccine that protects you from tetanus, a life-threatening infection that can enter the body through a cut.
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Knowing When a Cut Needs Stitches
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1 Understand why stitches are used. Stitches have a multitude of uses. The most common reasons to get stitches are:[2]XResearch source
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.
2 Consider the depth of the wound. 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.[3]XResearch source
3 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.[4]XResearch source
By pulling the edges of the wound close enough to where they can touch, stitches can help to speed healing.
4 Look at the location of the wound. 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.[5]XResearch source
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Question 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 123
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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 22 Helpful 128
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Tips
If you're still unsure whether your wound needs to be stitched, go to the hospital just to be safe. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
Getting stitches might hurt a little bit, but they help your body heal and get healthy quicker. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Always keep up to date with vaccinations and shots to prevent severe infections and disease. Thanks Helpful 47 Not Helpful 26
Always go to the hospital if there is uncontrollable or persistent bleeding or the wound is contaminated. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
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Medically reviewed by: Jonas DeMuro, MD Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon This article was medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. 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. This article has been viewed 1,615,136 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 29Updated: February 20, 2026 Views: 1,615,136 Categories: Wound First Aid
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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Article SummaryX
If you or someone near you has a deep cut, start by putting pressure on the wound for 5 minutes with a clean cloth. If the bleeding doesn't stop, call emergency services immediately. However, even if the bleeding does stop, check to see if the wound is greater than ¼ inch deep or if it's so wide that the edges need to be pulled together to cover the gap of exposed tissue. If this is the case, you'll need stitches as well. You should also consider the site of the wound, since cuts on areas where there’s a lot of movement, like a knee joint, typically need stitches to prevent re-opening. For more tips from our Medical co-author, like how to determine if you need a tetanus shot, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Kelly Morris
Mar 14, 2017
"Cut my finger on my ceramic knife at home. This has happened before but it would not stop bleeding. Thought I might need stitches, but that meant waking up family members to ask for a ride. I read the article and got the bleeding to stop. After that I saw it wasn't very deep and bandaged it myself. It's fine now."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Medically reviewed by: Jonas DeMuro, MD Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon Click a star to vote Co-authors: 29Updated: February 20, 2026 Views: 1,615,136
Kelly Morris
Mar 14, 2017
"Cut my finger on my ceramic knife at home. This has happened before but it would not stop bleeding. Thought I might need stitches, but that meant waking up family members to ask for a ride. I read the article and got the bleeding to stop. After that I saw it wasn't very deep and bandaged it myself. It's fine now."..." more
Anna Marie Ortega
Apr 20, 2017
"I just cut my pinky finger, it bled for a long time. The cut is deeper in the middle and I feel it needs stitches. Went to ER, an intern looked at it and said probably not. I'm not satisfied with that answer so this is why I went to Google. Thank you."..." more Rated this article:
C. J. Reed
Aug 2, 2016
"Yes, it's very helpful. I got a long knife cut on my finger and wasn't sure if I needed stitches. After reading this article, I believe I might not need stitches. Will see in a little while. Very informative, thank you."..." more
Larry Hall
Nov 28, 2016
"After reading this article, I decided to go to the ER for a dog bite on my hand that was bleeding profusely. Glad I did. Doctor said bites often result in serious infections and other complications. "..." more
Lenore Daniels
Nov 10, 2021
"It clarified the steps I took once I cut my finger, deep enough for the tendon to pop out of the skin, I went to my local ER and had stitches. "..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article Sections 1 Reasons You Should Visit the Doctor Immediately 2 Knowing When a Cut Needs Stitches Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD 
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Medically reviewed by: Jonas DeMuro, MD Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon This article was medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. 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. This article has been viewed 1,615,136 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 29 Updated: February 20, 2026 Views: 1,615,136 Categories: Wound First Aid 
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1 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. Then, remove the cloth or paper towel to check if it's still bleeding. 
2 An object is lodged in the area of the wound. If foreign material is present in the injury, see a doctor immediately. 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. 
3 The cut has been caused by a human or animal bite. 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. 
4 The injury is on the face, hands, or genitals. 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. 
5 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.[1] 
1 Understand why stitches are used. Stitches have a multitude of uses. The most common reasons to get stitches are:[2] 
2 Consider the depth of the wound. 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.[3] 
3 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.[4] 
4 Look at the location of the wound. 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.[5] Advertisement 
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. 
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