Stitches

Why might my child need stitches?

Your child might need stitches to seal a wound like an open cut. Children often have minor bumps and scrapes, and these normally heal quickly as long as you clean them thoroughly to prevent infection.

However, deeper wounds might take much longer to heal or develop unsightly scar tissue if they're left unstitched. A properly cleaned, stitched, and dressed wound is also far less likely to become infected.

How do I know if my child's wound needs stitches?

If you can see any fatty tissues or muscle in the wound, or the cut is more than half an inch long, there's a good chance it's going to need stitches.

It's not always easy for parents to decide whether a cut needs stitches, as minor lacerations can often bleed quite a lot, making them seem worse than they are. If in doubt, contact Cali Kids Urgent Care for advice.

If your child has a deep or extensive wound or you can't stop their cut from bleeding, call 911 for emergency assistance. Keep pressure on the wound, and if it's on their arm or leg, try to raise the limb above heart level to slow the bleeding down.

What happens if my child needs stitches?

When you bring your child to Cali Kids Urgent Care with a wound, your provider first cleans the cut thoroughly, then inspects it to see what needs repairing. If there's damage to the tendons, ligaments, or nerves, your child might need surgery.

Stitching a wound literally means using a needle and thread to bring the cut edges together. Your provider has expert stitching skills and uses special needles and sutures to carry out the task.

Stitching might be uncomfortable, but your child can have a numbing cream or an injection of a local anesthetic to minimize the pain.

You need to keep the stitches dry for the first few days, then you can clean around them carefully. Don't get them wet, and try not to pull at the skin, or you could reopen the wound. 

Some stitches need to be taken out as the healing progresses, while others dissolve and disappear. Stitched wounds do leave a scar when they heal, but this often fades over time.

What are the alternatives to stitches?

If your child has a minor cut on their skin that doesn't come under tension when their muscles contract, skin glue might be suitable. When the cut is in an area subject to stretching, like a joint, your provider might use adhesive strips that stick to the skin on either side of the wound. Staples are often better for head wounds than stitches.

Will the stitches be absorbable? 

Most likely not. It is a common misconception that absorbable stitches can be placed in any type of wound. Absorbable stitches are most commonly used on the oral mucosa or internally. 

People often don't realize how long they take to “absorb,” with most taking 3-5 weeks to fully disintegrate. It’s most beneficial to have removable stitches placed and removed in, most cases, 5-7 days. Removing the stitches takes less than 5 minutes! The team will have you in and out. 

If you're concerned about your child's wound, call Cali Kids Urgent Care without delay. You can also call the office or use the online booking system to schedule a regular appointment.