Scalp Laceration, Stitches or Staples

A laceration is a cut through the skin. A scalp laceration may require stitches or staples. If your hair is long enough, and bleeding has stopped, small straight wounds can sometimes be repaired by using hair to pull the wound closed and then tying or gluing the hair. It may also be closed with a hair-positioning method, such as braiding. There are a lot of blood vessels in the scalp. Because of this, a lot of bleeding is common with scalp cuts. You may need a tetanus shot if you're not up to date on your tetanus vaccine.

Home care

These guidelines will help you care for your laceration at home:

Follow your doctor's specific directions on washing your hair and scalp. During the first 2 days you may carefully rinse your hair in the shower to remove blood and glass or dirt particles, or as advised by your doctor. After 2 days you may shower and shampoo your hair normally. Don't scrub the repaired area or let water run on it for a long time.
Have someone help you clean your wound every day:
- Always wash your hands before and after cleaning the wound.
- In the shower, wash the area with soap and water. Use a wet cotton swab to loosen and remove any blood or crust that forms.
- After cleaning, keep the wound clean and gently pat the area dry using a clean towel or pad of tissues.
- Talk with your doctor about applying antibiotic cream or ointment to the wound. Apply a fresh bandage.
Don't put your head underwater until the stitches or staples have been removed. This means no swimming.
If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic to prevent infection, don't stop taking this medicine until you've finished it, or your doctor tells you to stop.
Follow your doctor's instructions if you are prescribed medicine for pain. If no pain medicines were prescribed, you can use over-the-counter pain medicines. Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease or if you are taking blood thinners. Also talk with your doctor if you've ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive tract bleeding.
To help prevent scarring, put sunscreen on the wound after it has healed. Use a sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen often.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your doctor as advised. Check the wound daily for the signs of infection listed below. Stitches or staples are often removed from the scalp in about 7 to 10 days.

Call 911

Call 911 if:

Bleeding can't be controlled by direct pressure.

When to get medical advice

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

Signs of infection, including increasing pain in the wound, redness, swelling, or pus coming from the wound.
A fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.
Chills.
Stitches or staples that come apart or fall out before 7 days.
Wound edges that reopen.

Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Tara Novick BSN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Vinita Wadhawan Researcher

Date Last Reviewed: 4/1/2025