Short answer
Yes. Most urgent care centers can close simple cuts with stitches, staples or skin glue, and many also remove stitches. Go sooner rather than later: family medicine guidance says clean wounds can usually be closed up to 18 hours after injury, and head wounds up to 24 hours.
Which cuts urgent care can close
Cuts and abrasions are among the minor injuries the Urgent Care Association lists as frequently treated at urgent care. Clinicians choose between stitches (sutures), staples and tissue adhesive (skin glue). According to American Family Physician, skin glue suits clean, simple, small cuts with little tension that are not bleeding, and staples are fast for scalp wounds but avoided where appearance matters.
Cuts that need the ER or a specialist
American Family Physician lists injuries that should be referred rather than repaired in a routine setting, including:
- Open fractures (bone showing or suspected under the cut)
- Cuts to tendons or muscle of the hand
- Numbness or loss of movement suggesting nerve injury
- Deep cuts to the eye or eyelid
- Wounds that need sedation to repair
Call 911 for bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure. Deep puncture wounds, animal or human bites, and heavily contaminated wounds also need prompt medical care; call the clinic first so they can tell you if the ER is the better place.
How soon to get stitches
Do not wait days. American Family Physician (2017) says noninfected wounds caused by clean objects may be closed up to 18 hours after injury, and head wounds up to 24 hours. Older or dirty wounds may be cleaned and left to heal open instead.
Until you are seen, apply firm pressure with a clean cloth and keep the area raised if you can.
Tetanus shot with stitches
Expect to be asked when you last had a tetanus shot. The CDC recommends a booster for a clean, minor wound if your last tetanus vaccine was 10 or more years ago, and for a dirty or major wound if it was 5 or more years ago. Many urgent care centers keep tetanus vaccine on hand.
Stitch removal at urgent care
Many urgent care centers remove stitches, including ones placed elsewhere. Typical removal times from American Family Physician:
- Face: 3 to 5 days
- Scalp and arms: 7 to 10 days
- Trunk, legs, hands and feet: 10 to 14 days
- Palms and soles: 14 to 21 days
Follow the timing your clinician gives you; stitches left in too long can leave marks, and stitches removed too early can let the wound open. Go back sooner for redness that spreads, pus, increasing pain, fever or a wound that opens.
Keep the wound clean and follow the care instructions you are given about getting it wet and changing the dressing. Skin glue usually peels off on its own; do not pick at it.
What stitches cost at urgent care
There is no single price. Laceration repair is billed on top of the visit and depends on the length, depth and location of the cut. With insurance you pay your plan's urgent care copay or coinsurance; without insurance, ask the clinic for its self-pay price before treatment. FAIR Health Consumer offers a free cost lookup by ZIP code. See urgent care cost.
Frequently asked questions
Will urgent care do stitches?
Yes, most urgent care centers repair simple cuts with stitches, staples or skin glue. Call ahead for a large, deep or facial cut to confirm they can handle it.
Can urgent care remove stitches?
Yes, many urgent care centers remove stitches, including stitches placed at another clinic or ER. Face stitches usually come out in 3 to 5 days, most others in 7 to 14 days.
Is it too late to get stitches after 24 hours?
Often, yes. Clean wounds can usually be closed up to 18 hours after injury and head wounds up to 24 hours. After that a clinician may clean the wound and let it heal open.
How much are stitches at urgent care?
It varies by clinic, wound and insurance. Stitches are billed in addition to the visit. Ask for the self-pay price before treatment if you are uninsured.
Find urgent care near me
Search by city or state to see urgent care centers and walk-in clinics, with hours where they are on file. Services differ from clinic to clinic, so call to confirm before you go.
Related guides
Sources
- American Family Physician (AAFP) (2017): Laceration Repair: A Practical Approach
- CDC: Clinical Guidance for Tetanus
- Urgent Care Association (2023): 2023 Urgent Care Industry White Paper
- FAIR Health Consumer: Cost lookup
General information, not medical advice. Costs are typical figures from the sources above and vary by clinic, plan and location. In an emergency, call 911.