In Need of Staples or Stitches: Urgent Care or ER?

Cuts and lacerations are common injuries that can happen anywhere — from kitchen mishaps to outdoor activities or home projects. While some cuts are minor, others may need urgent care treatment to stop bleeding, prevent infection, and ensure proper healing.

At iCare ER & Urgent Care in Frisco, Fort Worth, and Forney, Texas, our dual-model centers combine urgent care and emergency room services in one location. This means we can quickly determine whether your wound can be treated on the urgent care side — such as with Derma-Bond (medical skin glue) or butterfly stitches — or if it should be upgraded to the ER side for stitches, staples, imaging, or a tetanus shot.

When a Cut Needs Professional Medical Attention

Not every cut requires stitches, but some wounds should always be evaluated by a medical professional.
Visit iCare ER & Urgent Care if any of the following apply:

• The cut is deep, gaping, or longer than ½ inch

• Bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of pressure

• You can see fat, tissue, or bone beneath the skin

• The cut was caused by dirty or rusty metal

• The wound is on the face, scalp, or hands

• You are due for a tetanus booster (more than 5–10 years)

• There is severe pain, numbness, or swelling

• The injury involves a bite or foreign object

Our medical team will examine the wound, clean it, and determine whether it should be closed with stitches, staples, medical skin glue, or butterfly strips for best healing.

(Mayo Clinic – Cuts and Scrapes: First Aid)

Stitches, Staples, or Medical Skin Glue: Which One Do You Need?

Every laceration is unique, and the right repair method depends on the wound’s depth, shape, and location.

Stitches (Sutures)

Stitches are medical threads used to close deeper or jagged wounds and allow the tissue to heal from the inside out.

• Commonly used on hands, joints, or deeper cuts

• May be absorbable or removable

• Typically removed within 5–14 days

Staples

Medical staples are small metal clips used for straight, deep cuts or areas with thicker skin.

• Often used for scalp, back, or limb lacerations

• Quick to apply and ideal for long wounds

• Removed in 7–10 days

Derma-Bond (Medical Skin Glue)

Medical skin glue — also called Derma-Bond — is a fast, painless way to close small, clean cuts. It holds the wound edges together and creates a protective seal while healing occurs underneath.

• Used for minor cuts, children’s wounds, or facial injuries

• Painless, waterproof after drying, and requires no removal

• Common in urgent care treatment for small lacerations

Butterfly Stitches (Steri-Strips)

Butterfly closures are thin adhesive strips that keep wound edges aligned for small or shallow cuts.

• Great for straight cuts or post-suture support

• Allow airflow and easy application

• Often used for minor urgent care wound closures

At iCare Urgent Care, our team can apply Derma-Bond or butterfly closures for appropriate cases. Deeper or complex injuries may be upgraded to the ER side for stitches, staples, or further evaluation with X-rays or CT imaging if there is concern for a deeper injury.

(Cleveland Clinic – Stitches, Staples, and Glue for Wound Closure)

Urgent Care for Cuts: What iCare Can Treat

You can visit iCare Urgent Care for:

• Minor lacerations or small cuts

• Wounds that may need Derma-Bond or butterfly stitches

• Suture and staple removal after previous treatment

• Follow-up wound checks or re-dressing

• Evaluation for infection or a tetanus shot

These services are handled efficiently by our urgent care team — without the long ER wait.

When to Go to the ER for Stitches, Staples, or Imaging

Certain cuts are too deep or complex for urgent care alone. You’ll be upgraded to the ER side of iCare if:

• Bleeding is severe or uncontrolled

• The wound is deep, gaping, or involves muscle or tendon

• The cut is on the face, scalp, or over a joint

• The injury may contain debris or a foreign object

• You need imaging (X-ray or CT scan) to rule out bone injury

• The wound came from a bite or crush injury

Because both levels of care are available under one roof, patients never have to transfer elsewhere — the upgrade happens instantly if needed.

Tetanus Shots, X-Rays, and CT Scans for Injury Evaluation

Some cuts, especially those from metal or contaminated objects, carry a risk of tetanus infection. If you haven’t had a booster in the last 5–10 years, our clinicians can administer it during your visit.

If the wound occurred with blunt trauma or a fall, we can perform on-site X-rays or CT scans to rule out fractures or detect embedded materials. These advanced diagnostics ensure your injury is fully evaluated before you leave.

Caring for Stitches, Staples, or Skin Glue After Treatment

Proper wound care helps prevent infection and minimizes scarring.

General care guidelines:

1. Keep the wound clean and dry for 24–48 hours.

2. Wash gently with mild soap and water after the first two days.

3. Apply antibiotic ointment if recommended.

4. Replace the dressing daily or as directed.

5. Avoid soaking the wound until it’s healed.

6. Never remove sutures, staples, or glue yourself.

For Derma-Bond or butterfly stitches:

• Keep dry for 24 hours.

• Don’t apply creams directly on top.

• Let them peel away naturally — do not pull.

For stitches and staples:

• Return to iCare Urgent Care for removal once your provider advises.

• Most are removed within 5–14 days, depending on body area.

(MedlinePlus – Stitches and Staple Care)

Warning Signs of Wound Infection

Even well-treated wounds can become infected. Return to iCare if you notice:

• Redness or swelling spreading outward

• Thick, yellow, or green drainage

• Increasing pain or warmth

• Fever or chills

• Reopening of the wound

Early evaluation and antibiotics can prevent serious complications.

How Long It Takes a Cut to Heal

Healing time depends on the closure method and location:

Once the wound closes, use sunscreen and moisturizing ointment to help minimize scarring. Silicone gel or sheets may also be recommended.

What to Expect at iCare ER & Urgent Care

When you arrive, a board-certified physician will:

• Assess the wound’s depth and contamination

• Clean and irrigate it thoroughly

• Apply Derma-Bond, butterfly strips, stitches, or staples as needed

• Provide local anesthesia for comfort

• Administer a tetanus shot if required

• Order imaging (X-ray or CT) if bone or foreign body involvement is suspected

• Dress the wound and give home-care instructions

If the injury is minor, care will be completed on the urgent care side.
If it’s more severe, it will be upgraded to the ER side for advanced closure or testing — without any transfer or delay.

Follow-Up and Removal Appointments

Your provider may recommend a follow-up visit for wound inspection or staple and suture removal.
These quick visits help confirm that healing is complete and prevent infection.
Most suture and staple removals are performed on the urgent care side for convenience.

Visit iCare ER & Urgent Care for Expert Wound Treatment

Whether it’s a small kitchen cut or a deeper injury, iCare ER & Urgent Care provides fast, professional wound care.
From medical skin glue and butterfly closures to stitches, staples, and imaging, we offer complete treatment under one roof.

Find your nearest iCare ER & Urgent Care:

• Frisco

• Fort Worth

• Forney

References:

• Mayo Clinic – Cuts and Scrapes: First Aid

• Cleveland Clinic – Stitches, Staples, and Glue for Wound Closure

• MedlinePlus – Stitches and Staple Care