Accidents do happen and might cause either small or severe injuries. Around the house, you might find various objects which are capable of causing injuries. Most of the times, wounds resulted from accidents can heal by itself. Yet, more severe wounds might need specific treatments, such as sutures. Deep wounds might tear skin layers as well as tendons and muscles. Thus, it is important to join the separated layer of the skin to promote a proper healing. Sutures is performed to stop bleeding and heal the wound and prevent it from infection.

Why should a deep wound get stitched?

Most of the time, deep wounds are treated by suturing the opened skin surface. However, this procedure has to be performed as soon as possible. Usually, medical practitioners do not allow a deep wound to be exposed without sutured closure more than 3 hours. When a deep wound is exposed without any stitches performed, it is not advisable for it to get stitches, as this procedure might trap potential infection inside the wound. It is really important for a deep cut to be treated with stitches, mainly to stop severe bleeding and speed up healing process. A deep wound is also prone to contamination with insects, debris, and other hazardous particles. Hence, it is better to close this wound with a proper stitching treatment.

When should a deep wound get stitches?

Although a deep wound does not necessarily cause severe bleeding, it should be concerned more than minor wounds, as it may be more prone to infection. The most important thing to do immediately when you get injured is to stop the bleeding. To do this, you have to elevate the wounded area to make sure that its position is higher than your heart. This is important in inhibiting bloodstream to the area to minimize pains. You can also put a sufficient pressure onto the wound to take the blood out while waiting it to clot. However, some conditions related to your deep cut will require stitches. These conditions include:

1. Non-stop bleeding for around 15 minutes after you are applying pressure.
2. The cut is deep and there are parted skin layers. Visible tendons or skin inner layers also indicate that the cut is severe and has to be close immediately.
3. The cut is a result of animal bite. In this case, infection can easily spread. Thus, tetanus shot might be needed along with stitches.
4. The cut is on the body parts which require excessive movements, such as hands, legs, arms, and feet.

However, some people might be terrified of getting their wounds stitched, that they prefer to perform healing using other methods, despite the depth of the wound.

How to treat a deep cut without stitches?

Should you decide not to get your deep cut stitched, there are some things to be considered in healing the wound, such as:

1. You should be able to stop the bleeding immediately after giving the wound sufficient pressure. A wound with bleeding which won’t clot may indicate damaged blood vessels, which can be serious.
2. Instead of stitches, you can apply an adhesive bandage to join separated skin surface which are wounded. However, peeling the adhesive bandage might be painful so that you have to be extra cautious.
3. Skin staples can also be used to replace stitching. This may close the parted surfaces and keep the wound sterile.
4. Unstitched deep wound requires more attention. Make sure you keep the wound and its surrounding area hygienic. Watch any signs of infection, such as redness, pus secretion, increasing pain, throbbing, and fever.
5. Keep the wound moist by covering it with breathable dressings, which is replaced regularly.
6. Apply an anti-biotic ointment to speed up the healing process. You may also take oral antibiotics to promote proper healing.
7. Be gentle when changing wound dressing, as you might tear the almost healed cut.
8. Do not pick the scabs despite the itching it may cause, as this might cause the closing cut to re-open. Instead, give the wound a warm compress to numb the bacteria and minimize the uneasiness it may cause.