Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Stitches?
Emergency doctors, urgent care clinicians, and primary care doctors can place stitches, the special threads that close a cut, and surgeons close their own surgical incisions. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Stitches, also called sutures, are special threads sewn through the skin at an injury site to bring a wound together. Sutures are either permanent or absorbable. Absorbable sutures are usually absorbed by the body within 4 to 8 weeks and do not require removal. Nylon and other nonabsorbable sutures should be removed by your health care provider.
Absorbable sutures are used to close incisions of the mouth, tongue, and genitals, or deep, multilayered lacerations.
Why a doctor might recommend it
If the cut is large, it may need stitches or staples to close the wound and stop the bleeding. Stitches are primarily used if the cut is more than a quarter inch deep, is on the face, or reaches bone.
How to prepare
A small cut can be cared for at home. A large cut needs prompt medical attention.
If the stitches are for a planned surgery, these steps help.
- Discuss your medical history with your surgical team, especially if you have diabetes or another chronic illness.
What happens during it
Your provider sews special threads through the skin to bring the wound together.
Recovery
Care for your stitches and wound as follows.
- Keep the area clean and dry for the first 24 to 48 hours after stitches have been placed.
- Then you can start to gently wash around the site 1 to 2 times daily with cool water and soap.
- Do not wash or rub the stitches directly.
- Prevent the wound from reopening by keeping activity to a minimum.
You can take pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, as directed for pain at the wound site. Follow up with your provider to make sure the wound is healing properly. Your provider should tell you when you need to have a wound check and the stitches removed.
Stitches that need removal usually come out after a set time that depends on where the wound is.
- Face: 3 to 5 days.
- Scalp: 7 to 10 days.
- Arms: 7 to 10 days.
- Trunk or torso: 10 to 14 days.
- Legs: 10 to 14 days.
- Tops of hands or feet: 10 to 14 days.
- Palms or soles: 14 to 21 days.
Contact your provider right away in these cases.
- Redness, pain, or yellow pus around the wound could mean an infection.
- Foul odor or pus coming from the wound is a reason to call.
- Wound tissue that changes from pink to white, yellow, or black in color is a reason to call.
- Increased swelling around the wound is a reason to call.
- New numbness or tingling around the wound area or beyond it is a reason to call.
- A fever is a reason to call.
- Pain at the site that does not go away, even after taking pain medicine, is a reason to call.
- A wound that has split open is a reason to call.
- Stitches that have come out too soon are a reason to call.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Redness, pain, or yellow pus around a wound can mean an infection. Taking proper care of the wound helps reduce scarring.
Who performs it
Your health care provider applies the stitches.
Common questions
When do stitches come out?
The time until stitches come out depends on where the wound is. Stitches on the face come out after 3 to 5 days.
Do all stitches have to be removed?
No, absorbable stitches do not require removal. Nylon and other nonabsorbable stitches should be removed by your health care provider.
Can I get my stitches wet?
Not for the first 24 to 48 hours after they are placed, because the area should stay clean and dry. After that, you can gently wash around the site with cool water and soap, but do not wash or rub the stitches directly.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either one can follow up with you to make sure the wound is healing properly. A large cut needs prompt medical attention.
Sources
- American College of Surgeons - Wound Home Skills Kit: Surgical Wounds
- MedlinePlus - Laceration - sutures or staples - at home
- MedlinePlus - Stitches
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
