Cuts, Lacerations, & Stitches San Diego

Laceration injuries can be scary if the injury is severe or if you’re unfamiliar with first aid. Lacerations are cuts that tear the skin. They can be severe or minor depending on the mechanism of injury and the depth of the cut. Rest assured, most lacerations are minor and can be repaired with stitches placed in an urgent care or ER setting. Here’s what to do before you arrive at the medical facility if you are experiencing cuts, lacerations, or need stitches in San Diego:

- Recognize when to call 911 or immediately go to the hospital. If the laceration is severely bleeding or if the bleeding can’t be controlled with firm pressure, you should seek immediate care.

- For minor and non-life threatening lacerations, the first step is to apply firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth to stop the bleeding.

- Once bleeding has been controlled, gently clean the wound with tap water, a clean cloth, and mild soap to remove dirt and debris.

- If bleeding is controlled and the wound is clean, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like Neosporin and cover the wound with a Band-Aid, bandage, gauze, or clean cloth.

- If the wound is deep, wide, jagged, or located in an area of the skin that is subjected to movement or tension, it may require sutures to repair.

- For minor lacerations, call your doctor or head to your local urgent care to see if you need sutures. For severe lacerations, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

cuts lacerations stitches San Diego

We are conveniently located in the heart of La Jolla Village! 858-255-8325

7634 Girard Ave Ste J • La Jolla, CA 92037


Treatment for Cuts, Lacerations, & Stitches San Diego

Once you arrive at the medical facility, you will be examined by a medical professional who will determine if you need sutures and provide you with after care instructions. At Urgent Care La Jolla, laceration patients are usually seen immediately by Dr. Peter Mann, a licensed emergency medicine physician with over two decades of experience in treating injuries and illnesses. If Dr. Mann determines you need sutures, you will be take to our accredited operating and procedure room to have your laceration disinfected and prepped. A small injection of local anesthetic will be given to reduce pain from the procedure. Next, Dr. Mann and his medical assistants will expertly repair the laceration, bandage it, and provide you with instructions on how to care for the wound and when to have the sutures removed — generally within 14 days. Suture removal can be done at almost any medical facility and generally takes just a few minutes.

If you have a minor laceration, don’t hesitate to walk-in or call Urgent Care La Jolla at (858) 255-8325. You will be seen immediately by Dr. Peter Mann and his kind staff, right in your neighborhood.