Everything you need to know about skin wounds and stitches

Medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Koickel, MD on April 29th, 2025.

Skin wounds are one of the most common conditions we see here at urgent care. And patients ask us lots of questions about them! What do you do if you sustain a skin wound? How do you know if you need stitches? If you don’t need stitches, should you still seek medical attention? We’re glad you asked! Here’s everything you need to know about skin wounds and stitches.

1) Apply pressure

If you’re actively bleeding, the next step after flushing the wound is to apply pressure with a clean cloth. This puts pressure on the blood vessels to slow down the bleeding, and it also helps prevent contaminants from infiltrating the skin, which can lead to infection.

2) Flushing is the second step

Whether you sustain an abrasion or a laceration, the second thing you should do is flush the wound with clean, running water. You don’t need rubbing alcohol, peroxide or iodine, since it’s the movement of the fluid carrying contaminants away from the wound that matters, not what the fluid is made of.

Also, when it comes to burns, the same guidelines apply. Flushing the skin with cool, clean water is the best way to cool down the burn and prevent it from getting infected. Don’t apply butter, oil or ice, since these tend to trap heat in the skin and make the burn worse.

3) Check your tetanus shot status

For minor skin wounds, it’s recommended that you have had a tetanus shot within the past ten years. For major wounds, it’s recommended that you have had a tetanus shot within the past five years. 

If you’re not sure when your last tetanus shot was, it’s wise to have it updated to be on the safe side. The tetanus shot is not a live vaccine, so it can’t make you ill, even if you’ve had one more recently than you remember.

4) Is it a minor wound?

Minor wounds are typically more shallow and smaller than major wounds. Most can be treated at home. 

A few signs you might have a minor wound include:

• Clean edges, not gaping
• Minimal bleeding
• No debris or foreign objects
• No signs of infection
• No exposed bone, muscle or fat
• Small, less than an inch long

Wound care

A minor wound can typically be treated at home by flushing the area with water, then applying an antibiotic ointment and a bandage if needed. Watch for any signs of infection like increasing redness, drainage or increased pain over the next few days.

5) Seek medical attention for significant wounds

If you sustain a cut deeper than ¼ inch, a cut on your fingers or hand, a cut over a joint, a cut with visible muscle, tendons or bone or a cut that doesn’t stop bleeding within 15 minutes, chances are good that you’ll need stitches (or another form of wound closure). 

If you’re not sure, it’s wise to have a medical consultation since wounds that aren’t treated appropriately can cause excessive blood loss, as well as infections and excessive scarring.

6) Seek medical attention as soon as possible

If you think you need stitches, come see us as soon as possible! Wounds that are closed within six hours of the injury have much lower rates of infection than wounds that are closed beyond that window. If you wait too long to have your wound addressed, you risk infection, bleeding, excessive scarring and needing to take an oral antibiotic to heal the wound.

7) Watch out for signs of infection

Even if you do everything right, there’s still a chance your wound could get infected, since any break in the skin allows an opportunity for contaminants to get in. If your wound becomes red, hot, painful, swollen, if it drains pus or if you have a fever, seek medical attention immediately.

Extra Tip: Dealing with wounds during outdoor activities

Sometimes we aren’t in a place where we can immediately seek medical attention. If you are outdoors on a hike and get injured, the most important thing is to keep the wound clean. Flush with water immediately and put a bandage on the wound. If you need medical care, find the nearest healthcare facility as soon as you can.

Visit urgent care for skin wounds and stitches

We’re here seven days a week to care for you! We offer comprehensive wound care, including stitches, skin glue, skin tape and staples and we have tetanus shots on hand as well.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about skin wounds.

What should you do first if you sustain skin wounds?

Wash the area with water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat the area dry with a clean towel and cover to keep it clean.

What's the next step if a skin wound is actively bleeding?

Apply direct pressure for 5-10 minutes to allow a clot to form. Hold the injury above your heart if possible. 

When should you seek medical attention for a skin wound?

Seek medical attention if the wound won’t stop bleeding, is deep with jagged edges, is caused by something dirty or rusty, if there is a sign of infection or if there is something embedded in the wound.

Does urgent care do stitches?

Yes, urgent care can do stitches or staples on most moderate wounds.

What are the signs of a skin wound infection?

A few signs of infection might include: spreading redness, a foul odor, warmth around the injury, drainage from the wound or increasing pain and swelling.

What if you don't get stitches for a wound that needs them?

If you don’t get stitches for a wound, this may lead to slower healing, a higher risk of infection, increased scarring and improper wound closure.