Without stitches, it may take 3 weeks or more for a wound to heal. Prolonged healing time isn't only a nuisance, it's also an infection risk. The risk of a wound infection continues as long as the wound hasn't healed. This is especially important to keep in mind if you have diabetes or you are immunocompromised.
If the wound is spread open, it will heal by filling in from the bottom and sides. A wound that is not stitched may take 1 to 4 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the opening. You will probably have a visible scar. You can discuss revision of the scar with your healthcare provider at a later time.
A cut may be left open instead of being closed with stitches, staples, or adhesive. A cut may be left open when it is likely to become infected, because closing it can make infection even more likely. You will probably have a bandage. The doctor may want the cut to stay open the whole time it heals.
Cuts that don't involve fat or muscle tissue (superficial), are not bleeding heavily, are less than 1/2 inch long and not wide open or gaping, and don't involve the face can usually be managed at home without stitches.
"Stitches can be left in too long," warns Dr. Yaakovian. "When this happens, the skin can grow over the stitches — making removal more difficult. It can also lead to more scarring."
You'll likely need stitches if the wound: Bleeds enough to soak through a bandage. Keeps bleeding even after you apply direct pressure for 5 to 10 minutes. Spurts blood.
To ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of infection and scarring, it is best for a person to have a healthcare professional remove their stitches. It is advisable to speak to a doctor or nurse before attempting to removing stitches at home.
Most wounds that require closure should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives (also called liquid stitches) within 6 to 8 hours after the injury. Some wounds that require treatment can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury.
Depth of Cut
A cut can heal with relative ease if it is shallower than ¼ inch in most places. But once you get deeper than that, the skin starts to pull apart whenever moved. Platelets thicken the blood, and allow it to dry. Dried blood acts like glue holding the skin together until the wound heals.
Bleeding: Applying pressure on the wound should stop the bleeding. If the cut is still bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure, then it's important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Also, you likely need stitches if the blood spurts out of the wound or soaks through the bandage.
Ultimately, the best outcome for you or your child can be assured by visiting a health care provider who can properly treat the wound. Super glue can be a viable option if used under the right circumstances (small and clean cut, not too deep and not infectious).
Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.
Advantages of Medical Adhesives
Adhesives take less time than stitches. There is nothing to remove since the adhesive eventually breaks down and is absorbed (internally) or peels and falls off (externally). Therefore, it may be possible to avoid a follow-up appointment. There is a lower risk of infection.
Deep body structures are visible – If fat, bone, or muscle are visible due to the wound, you will probably need stitches. Pressure doesn't help – If you put pressure on the wound for 15 minutes and it still continues to bleed, you may need stitches.
Superglue. If for some reason you don't have duct tape to make butterfly bandages, or the bandages aren't keeping the wound shut, superglue can be used in a pinch. Doctors actually use a product similar to superglue to close wounds. Medical glue, however, uses chemicals that are less toxic and more flexible.
A: Airing out most wounds isn't beneficial because wounds need moisture to heal. Leaving a wound uncovered may dry out new surface cells, which can increase pain or slow the healing process. Most wound treatments or coverings promote a moist — but not overly wet — wound surface.
Signs that a cut needs medical attention
If there's significant bleeding or the wound is gaping and open. If it's deeper than a scratch and you can see tissue underneath. If it's a large laceration longer than 1-2 inches. If there's a tendon exposed or nerve damage — for example, if you can't move a finger.
Your risk of infection increases the longer the wound remains open. Most wounds that require closure should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives (also called liquid stitches) within 6 to 8 hours after the injury. Some wounds that require treatment can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury.
Body Cuts and Over 48 Hours Ago.
Call your doctor now for advice. After 48 hours, re-suturing is rarely done (except on the face). After 48 hours, the sutured wound can be reinforced with tape. Cut Is Closed, but suture has come out early.
Occasionally a wound that has an increased risk of infection will not be closed until after 24 hours, or may not be stitched at all, so that adequate cleaning and antibiotic treatment can be done initially to prevent infection.
You may feel a slight tugging sensation, but the removal of stitches shouldn't hurt at all. You won't even need an anesthetic. Although removing stitches is not a difficult process, you shouldn't try to remove them yourself.
Key facts. All sutures (stitches) will heal with a scar, however the scar will be less noticeable if good care is given to the wound when it is healing. Keep the wound clean and dry, and follow your doctor or nurse's care instructions. See your GP to get the stitches removed at the right time and for follow-up care.
What are sutures? A suture is a stitch or a row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision. Sutures can sometimes be called stitches. It is important to care for your sutures to help the healing process.