What should you know about laceration stitches?

A clinician checks the cut for depth, dirt, damage to tendons or nerves, and bleeding before choosing closure. Local anaesthetic such as lidocaine can reduce sensation while the wound is repaired. Some sutures dissolve as tissue heals; others need removal at a planned review. The location and tension of the wound affect the timing.

Stitches are only one closure option. A clinician may instead use adhesive strips or medical glue when the edges are shallow and suitable. A repaired wound still needs protection because closure does not remove the risk of infection.

Keep the dressing clean and follow the instructions you were given about changing it. Wash your hands before touching the area, avoid picking at scabs, and protect the wound from knocks or stretching. Keep scheduled appointments so non-dissolving sutures can be removed safely. Wound care and dressing advice can help you plan daily care.

Ask whether your tetanus vaccination is up to date, especially after a dirty, deep or outdoor injury. Do not put household substances on the wound unless a clinician recommends them.

Get prompt medical attention for bleeding that does not settle with firm pressure, loss of feeling or movement, a deep or gaping cut, or an injury caused by a bite or a dirty object. Contact a clinician if redness spreads, pain worsens, swelling increases, pus appears, the wound opens, or you develop fever. These changes can signal infection or a problem with healing.

Ask which suture type was used, how to clean and cover the area, when the stitches should be checked or removed, and which activities to avoid. You can also ask whether you need a tetanus vaccination and what changes should prompt an urgent review.