You cut your finger and it won’t stop bleeding. It’s normal to feel alarmed, but let’s take a moment to evaluate. The actions you take in the first few minutes make a difference in the healing process.
When we receive a patient with a serious cut, we use our emergency training to determine the correct treatment plan. We look at depth, how the skin edges meet, and how much it’s bleeding to decide the next step.
Quick Assessment: Does Your Cut Need Stitches?
Get immediate medical care if you notice:
- Bleeding that won’t stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
- Yellow fat, red muscle, or bone visible in the wound
- Skin edges that won’t stay together when pressed
- A cut deeper than 1/4 inch
- Cuts on joints, fingertips, or areas that reopen with movement
When Does a Cut Need Stitches
When you get a cut, the first question is usually whether you can handle it at home or if you should come in for treatment. Minor scrapes and small surface cuts can often be cleaned, covered, and left to heal. But if the bleeding won’t stop after about ten minutes of firm pressure – or you can see yellow fat, red muscle, or bone – it’s time for stitches.
Wounds that gape open, have ragged edges, or were caused by a dirty or rusty object also need medical care. The same goes for cuts that cross a joint, a fingertip, or any area that opens again when you move. These types of injuries often can’t close on their own and are more likely to get infected.
How Deep Does a Cut Have to Be to Need Stitches?
If the cut looks deeper than a quarter inch or the skin edges won’t meet when you press them together, come in to be evaluated. Closing the wound promptly reduces infection risk and helps it heal with less scarring.
Types of Cuts That Require Stitches
Not every cut is the same. Some can be managed with first aid, while others need professional laceration treatment.
Cuts that usually need stitches:
- Straight, clean cuts deeper than 1/4 inch
- Jagged or torn wounds from accidents or tools
- Puncture wounds that penetrate deep tissue
- Cuts with skin flaps (don’t remove the flap!)
- Any cut exposing bone, tendon, or muscle
If you cut your finger in a way that a flap of skin extends over the wound, don’t remove it. As tempting as it may be, removing that flap of skin may prolong the healing process. Leave it in place, cover it with a clean bandage, and seek evaluation.
Critical Tip: If you accidentally cut a portion of your finger off, place the severed portion in a clean plastic bag, then place that bag inside another bag of ice. Do not let the tissue touch the ice directly. Seek immediate medical attention.
If your cut exposes bone, tendon, or muscle, or was caused by a dirty or contaminated object, visit our office for immediate deep cut care.
Should I go to the Emergency Room?
If the wound is large, bleeding uncontrollably, or involves a partial amputation, go to the emergency room. For most other serious cuts, The Urgency Room offers the same expertise as a hospital ER without the high cost or long wait times.
Choose The Urgency Room for:
- Deep cuts requiring stitches
- Wounds needing professional cleaning
- Cuts with debris or contamination
- Most finger and hand lacerations
- Average wait time: Under 15 minutes
A Step-by-Step Guide to Assessment Guide
If you’re unsure whether your cut needs professional care, follow these steps to assess the injury:
- Stop the bleeding: You can apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
- Check the depth: Is it shallow, or can you see tissue beneath the skin?
- Look at the edges: Do they come together on their own, or stay open?
- Inspect for debris: Remove any visible dirt, but don’t dig into the wound.
- Note your symptoms: Persistent bleeding, numbness, or severe pain are warning signs.
The Urgency Room can examine the wound and provide the appropriate treatment to avoid complications.
First Aid: What to Do Before Getting Stitches
Cutting your fingers can be a serious event and should be addressed immediately to avoid developing an infection. Whether your finger has a small cut to a bigger gash, your first priority is to assess the wound and its severity.
Is it a clean cut or a jagged tear? How deep is the cut?
See exactly where the source of bleeding is stemming from and proceed from there. Remember, though, no matter how bad the cut, remain calm. A calm mind will be able to prioritize what needs to happen and focus on helping your cut.
1. Stop the Bleeding
The very first step to treating a cut finger is to stop the bleeding. One way to stop bleeding from a small, simple cut is to run it under cold water. This will help constrict the blood vessels to slow bleeding. Another easy way to stop bleeding from any sort of wound is to apply firm and steady pressure to the cut.
Make sure you use a clean cloth or piece of gauze. Don’t grab the nearest dirty towel and apply it to your wound.
Important: If your cut is particularly serious or bleeding heavily and the cloth you apply starts to become saturated with blood, don’t remove it. You risk removing whatever clot had started to form over the cut. Instead, place more clean cloth or gauze over the existing layer. Consider wrapping it with more gauze or bandages until the bleeding subsides.
If the wound continues to bleed despite firm pressure for ten minutes, seek care at The Urgency Room. Persistent bleeding can indicate a deeper injury or a vessel that requires repair.
2. Clean Your Cut Properly
What NOT to use:
- Hydrogen peroxide (causes tissue damage)
- Iodine (can damage healthy tissue)
- Mercurochrome (contains mercury)
While you may be tempted to, don’t use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or Mercurochrome.
You may have seen your grandmother dump this stuff on even minor cuts in the past. But the truth is that hydrogen peroxide and iodine can cause tissue damage, while Mercurochrome has high levels of mercury. All should be avoided.
Once the bleeding has subsided, remove the gauze or bandages and simply wash with water. If you wash with water and soap, ensure the soap is relatively mild and that you wash it out of the wound completely to prevent irritation to your cut.
3. Bandage the Cut
Once the cut on your finger has stopped bleeding, been cleaned and dried, it’s time to dress the wound. To reduce the risk of infection and help numb any pain or swelling that you may be starting to feel, apply a small amount of an antibacterial cream.
After that’s applied, cover your wound with a sterile bandage. Make sure to clean the wound and replace the bandage daily.
Keep a close watch on your cut to make sure it’s healing properly. Depending on your age, your health, and the severity of the cut, it could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to fully heal. If you see redness, pus, or swelling, or if the pain worsens, return to The Urgency Room for evaluation.
How long can I wait before getting stitches for a cut?
Ideally, stitches should be placed within 6 to 12 hours of the injury. Waiting longer can increase infection risk and make wound closure more difficult. However, if you arrive after that window, The Urgency Room can still evaluate and clean the wound to promote healing.
Aftercare for Stitches
Once your wound has been treated, proper aftercare is essential for healing. Keep the area clean and dry for the first 24 hours. After that, gently wash it with mild soap and water. Replace bandages daily or as instructed by your provider.
Approximate healing timeline:
- First 24 hours: Keep completely dry
- Days 2-7: Gentle cleaning allowed
- Days 7-14: Most stitches removed
- Full healing: 2-4 weeks depending on severity
What to Expect at The Urgency Room
When you arrive at The Urgency Room, you’ll be seen quickly by an emergency-trained provider. Your provider will clean the wound, numb the area, and determine whether stitches, skin glue, or adhesive strips are appropriate for your specific cut.
Remember: When in doubt, seek professional evaluation. A quick assessment at The Urgency Room can provide peace of mind and ensure proper healing.