Does urgent care do stitches for minor injuries? Yes! Does urgent care do stitches for major cuts? That depends on the type and size of your wound. If you’re not sure when to visit an emergency room vs. an urgent care center for stitches, contact a Centra Care near you or keep reading.
Cuts that Need Stitches vs. Ones that Don’t
Stitches aren’t necessary in every situation, but for larger cuts and scrapes, they’re an important part of the healing process.
There are a few signs to look for that indicate the need for stitches. When in doubt, you can visit an urgent care center for help.
Here’s how to know if you need stitches:
- Putting pressure on it doesn’t stop the bleeding
- The area feels tingly (or a “pins and needles” sensation)
- The cut is longer than ½ inch
- The edges of the cut are jagged or irregular
- The wound is gaping open
- The wound won’t stop bleeding after 20 minutes
- You can’t move the appendage or limb
- You see bone, tendons or fatty tissue
- You see debris in the cut
Try not to panic if you get a cut or scrape. After 10 to 20 minutes of applying direct pressure, you’ll be able to evaluate the wound. If it’s still actively bleeding, stitches are your best bet.
But, does urgent care do stitches? Yes– although, not every urgent care does.
Can You Get Stitches at Urgent Care?
Centra Care urgent care centers provide a comprehensive range of health services. Most non-life-threatening health problems that need to be addressed quickly are suitable for urgent care. These issues can include flu testing and treatments, physical exams for school and sports and minor wound care.
Does urgent care do stitches? Yes! Wounds that need extra help to heal but aren’t major emergencies are welcome at urgent care clinics. We can stitch up minor lacerations and scrapes easily.
When to Go to the Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care for Stitches
Does urgent care do stitches for large wounds? No. So, how do you know where to go for your stitches? Consider the severity of the cut or scrape you’re dealing with. Urgent care stitches are only for minor cuts.
Here’s when to go to the ER vs. urgent care center:
Severe or Large Wounds
Deep lacerations that reveal bone or connective tissue need emergency care. At the first sign of any severe bleeding, loss of feeling or loss of function, you should call 911 or visit the emergency room. Severe wounds may require stitches along with other treatments that urgent care doesn’t provide.
Potential for Tissue Damage
If there’s a risk of developing nerve or tendon complications from the wound, you should visit the emergency room. There, they have the specialized equipment and surgical skills to prevent serious damage.
In short, if you think your wound requires specialized care and equipment, the ER can provide more comprehensive wound care. Anything more severe than a minor injury is more suitable for the emergency room than urgent care.
Here are additional reasons to go to the ER vs. urgent care center:
- Brain fog and confusion
- Injuries around blood vessels or organs
- Injuries to sensitive areas (face, genitals, scalp, etc.)
- Loss of sensation in the injured area
- Nonstop bleeding
- Persistent numbness and tingling
- Signs of infection
- Extreme swelling
- Itching
- Oozing pus
- Unbearable pain for days after the injury
- Very deep wounds
- Visible internal tissues (tendons, nerves, bone, etc.)
If you notice any of these signs, play it safe and visit the emergency room. If you take too long to get the emergency care you need, you could suffer from mild to severe complications.
What to Expect When Getting Stitches at Urgent Care
When you come into an urgent care clinic for wound care, we thoroughly evaluate your injury. This is always the first step in treating minor wounds; we look at the complications, infection risks and wound severity.
Once we’ve determined that you need stitches, we’ll gently sanitize the area and apply a local anesthetic. This numbs the injury so you are comfortable while we disinfect it and stitch the wound.
Once you’re stitched and bandaged, we’ll provide instructions for proper wound care.
You should always follow wound aftercare instructions. If you don’t, your stitches could open or the area could become infected. We’ll make sure so you know exactly what to do before you leave the urgent care center.
Get Timely Medical Attention for Minor Injuries at Centra Care Urgent Care
Injuries can range from very minor to life-threateningly severe. But does urgent care do stitches? Yes! At Centra Care Urgent Care, we’re here to stitch up minor wounds and get you back to normal life. Our quick, compassionate care sets us apart, making us the obvious choice for your urgent care needs.
Don’t wait to get the care you need, whether it’s stitches or another minor treatment. Visit your local Centra Care Urgent Care for quality urgent care services today!
