The cut is deep enough that you can see fat, muscle, or bone
The wound edges are gaping open and do not stay closed
The bleeding does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes of firm direct pressure
The cut is longer than about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch and looks like it may need closure
The wound is on the face, eyelid, lip, or another area where scarring is a concern
The cut is on a joint, hand, foot, or near a tendon and may reopen with movement
The wound was caused by a bite, dirty object, or rusty/contaminated item
The injury is from a puncture, deep tear, or jagged cut
There is numbness, loss of movement, or trouble using the injured area
The wound has debris that cannot be washed out
The cut is over a large area of skin that is missing or torn
The injury is in a child and the edges are widely separated
The wound is on the scalp and bleeding heavily or gaping
You have signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or fever
You are not up to date on tetanus vaccination and the wound is dirty or deep
You are unsure whether the wound needs stitches and it looks serious