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Stitches
Stitches services offered in Brooklyn, NY
Everyone gets cuts, but some are large, deep, and more severe. If you have a deep cut or large puncture wound, see the specialists at LaSante Health Center in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens area of Brooklyn, New York City, for stitches. Its highly trained medical providers use stitches to close your wound and minimize the risk of scarring, improper healing, and other complications. Schedule a wound care evaluation at LaSante Health Center by phone or request one online today.
What are stitches?
Stitches are medical-grade threads your healthcare provider uses to close an open wound that’s large, on your face, or has a high likelihood of healing improperly. Stitches may consist of silk, nylon, or Vicryl materials. Some dissolve on their own over time, while you must have others removed after a wound heals.
If you’re unsure if you or your child needs stitches, see the LaSante Health Center experts for an evaluation.
Who may need stitches?
Stitches may be needed for:
- Lacerations
- Deep cuts
- Puncture wounds
- Gaping open wounds
- Wounds on your face, genitalia, or joints
- Wounds caused by animal bites
- Cuts caused by foreign object impalement
- Wounds that are bleeding a lot
- Cuts contaminated by rusty or dirty objects
The LaSante Health Center experts determine if you’re a candidate for stitches by discussing how your injury occurred and examining the wound. For smaller wounds, you may simply need medical glue, sticky medical strips, or home care.
What should I expect when receiving stitches?
Your LaSante Health Center specialist may apply numbing gel on a cut to enhance comfort. They remove any objects or dirt present in the wound, clean it, and use a tiny needle to sew your wound closed. The procedure is fast and painless. You might also need a tetanus shot if you’ve been bitten by an animal or your wound was caused by a rusty or dirty object.
What happens after I have stitches?
Follow your provider’s instructions after you receive stitches to optimize healing with minimal scarring. Keep the cut dry for a few days if necessary and use an antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of an infection. Avoid pulling on your stitches, and call the LaSante Health Center office if you notice signs of an infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus.
Unless you receive dissolvable stitches, you return to the LaSante Health Center office to have the stitches removed. You might feel a little bit of tugging as they remove the threads. Minimize scarring by applying creams as directed and avoiding unprotected sun exposure.
Schedule an evaluation at LaSante Health Center by phone or request one online today if you have a large or deep cut that may need stitches.