Question 1

When should I go to urgent care versus the ER for a cut?

Accepted Answer

Go to urgent care for cuts and lacerations that are bleeding but manageable with direct pressure, are not involving major blood vessels or tendons, and do not affect the neck or torso at depth. Go to the emergency room immediately if there is pulsing or spurting arterial bleeding that does not slow with pressure, if a tendon or bone is visible in the wound, or if the injury resulted from a high-force impact such as a motor vehicle collision. Our team is available at 213-442-1890 to help you assess the severity of any wound before your visit.

Question 2

How do I know if a cut needs stitches?

Accepted Answer

A cut likely needs urgent care stitches if it is longer than half an inch, the edges of the wound are gaping or do not stay together on their own, the wound is deep enough to reveal yellow fatty tissue or deeper structures, it is located on the face, hand, or over a joint, it continues to bleed after 10 to 15 minutes of firm pressure, or it was caused by a dirty or contaminated object. When in doubt, come in for an evaluation. It is always best to have a wound assessed early, as wound closure for lacerations should be performed within 6 to 8 hours for most wounds.

Question 3

How deep does a cut have to be to need stitches?

Accepted Answer

There is no single depth measurement that determines whether a wound needs urgent care stitches. As a general guide, if a cut penetrates through all layers of skin and reaches the yellow fatty tissue beneath, it almost always requires sutures or another form of wound closure. Even a relatively shallow cut may need stitches if it is long, gaping, or located on the face or hand where cosmetic and functional outcomes are critical. Our providers assess each wound individually to recommend the right laceration treatment.

Question 4

How long can I wait to get stitches?

Accepted Answer

Most lacerations should be closed within 6 to 8 hours of injury to minimize infection risk and achieve the best cosmetic result. Facial wounds may be closed up to 12 to 24 hours after injury because the face has excellent blood supply. After these time windows, the risk of infection from closing the wound may outweigh the benefit. If you have waited more than 8 hours, come in for an evaluation regardless. Our providers will assess the wound and determine the safest approach, which may include thorough cleaning and allowing the wound to heal by secondary intention.

Question 5

What happens if a cut that needs stitches does not receive treatment?

Accepted Answer

An untreated laceration that required closure is more likely to heal with a wider and more noticeable scar, may take significantly longer to close, and carries a higher risk of developing a wound infection. Deep wounds left open can also develop into chronic wounds that are difficult to treat. If you think the window for urgent care stitches has passed, come in for an evaluation regardless. There are still wound care options available that can improve the outcome.

Question 6

Does urgent care do stitches?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mederi Urgent Care provides full laceration treatment including suturing (stitches), tissue adhesive, wound closure strips, and staples. Our providers are trained and equipped to handle the majority of cuts and lacerations that do not require surgical intervention. No appointment is needed. Walk in at an open Los Angeles-area clinic, open seven days a week.

Question 7

What types of wound closure are used at urgent care for lacerations?

Accepted Answer

We use several wound closure methods depending on the characteristics of your wound. Absorbable sutures dissolve on their own and are often used for deep tissue layers. Non-absorbable sutures are removed at a follow-up visit, typically 5 to 14 days after placement. Tissue adhesive or skin glue is ideal for clean, low-tension lacerations and eliminates the need for a removal visit. Skin staples are used for rapid closure of scalp lacerations and some trunk wounds. Wound closure strips and Steri-Strips are used for minor cuts or to reinforce healing after suture removal. Your provider selects the best method for your specific wound during the assessment.

Question 8

Does getting stitches hurt?

Accepted Answer

Before placing sutures, your provider injects a local anesthetic such as lidocaine into the area surrounding the wound. The injection itself causes a brief stinging or burning sensation, but the wound becomes numb within one to two minutes. The suturing process itself should not be painful. After the anesthetic wears off, the wound may feel sore for 24 to 48 hours, which is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers as directed.

Question 9

How long does laceration treatment take at urgent care?

Accepted Answer

Most patients receiving urgent care for cuts or lacerations are evaluated, treated, and discharged within 45 to 60 minutes at Mederi Urgent Care. Complex lacerations requiring X-ray imaging, extensive irrigation, or multiple suture layers may take longer. Our average wait time is under 9 minutes, so very little time is spent in the waiting room before your provider begins the wound assessment.

Question 10

How do I care for my wound after stitches?

Accepted Answer

Keep the wound dry for the first 24 hours following urgent care stitches. After that, gently clean it once daily with mild soap and water, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin under a clean bandage. Avoid submerging the wound in water, including baths, pools, and hot tubs, until the stitches are removed. Watch for signs of infection including increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, or fever. Detailed written aftercare instructions are provided at your visit.

Question 11

When do stitches need to be removed, and can urgent care remove them?

Accepted Answer

The timing of suture removal depends on location. Face and scalp stitches are typically removed at 5 to 7 days. Trunk and extremity sutures are removed at 10 to 14 days. Sutures placed over joints may remain for up to 14 days to allow adequate healing under movement. Yes, Mederi Urgent Care can remove your sutures at any of our locations. You do not need to return to the same provider or location where the stitches were originally placed.

Question 12

How do I know if my wound is infected?

Accepted Answer

Signs of wound infection typically develop 2 to 5 days after injury or wound closure. Watch for increasing redness or red streaking extending away from the wound, increased warmth around the edges, swelling that is getting worse rather than improving, yellow or green discharge or pus, a wound that reopens on its own, fever or chills, or pain that is increasing rather than decreasing. If any of these signs appear, return to Mederi Urgent Care promptly or call us at 213-442-1890. Untreated wound infections can spread rapidly and become serious.

Question 13

Do I need a tetanus shot for a cut?

Accepted Answer

A tetanus booster may be needed if your wound was caused by a dirty, rusty, or contaminated object and you have not had a tetanus vaccination in the past 5 years, or if you have not received a booster in the past 10 years regardless of wound type. If you are unsure of your vaccination history, inform your provider at the start of your wound care urgent care visit. We carry tetanus (Td) and Tdap vaccines at all Mederi locations and can administer a booster as part of your laceration treatment visit.

Question 14

Does insurance cover laceration treatment at urgent care?

Accepted Answer

Most major insurance plans cover urgent care for cuts and laceration treatment, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, Anthem, Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Shield of California. Coverage depends on your specific plan, deductible, and copay. We accept a wide range of insurance plans. Contact your insurer to confirm coverage before your visit, or call us at 213-442-1890 and our team can help verify your benefits. Self-pay and out-of-pocket options are also available.

Question 15

Can urgent care treat lacerations in children?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our providers are experienced in treating cuts and lacerations in patients of all ages, including infants, children, and teenagers. We use child-friendly techniques to minimize anxiety during urgent care for cuts, including topical anesthetic cream when appropriate, gentle irrigation methods, and tissue adhesive instead of stitches when the wound characteristics allow. Parents are welcome to remain with their child throughout the entire visit.

Cuts and Lacerations Treatment

ABOUT CUTS AND LACERATIONS TREATMENT

HOW LACERATION TREATMENT WORKS

Wound Assessment

Wound Cleaning and Closure

Aftercare and Follow-Up

COMPREHENSIVE CUTS AND LACERATIONS CARE

Laceration Repair and Sutures (Stitches)

Tissue Adhesive (Skin Glue)

Wound Irrigation and Cleaning

Foreign Body Detection and Removal

Wound Closure Strips and Steri-Strips

Tetanus Assessment and Vaccination

5 LOCATIONS

<9 MIN

2000+

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY ABOUT US

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NEED STITCHES OR LACERATION CARE?

OUR COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES

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Ear Infections

IV Hydration Therapy

Lab Services

Medical Weight Loss

Minor Injuries