1. Make sure the bleeding has stopped. You don’t want your patient bleeding out on you before you have a chance to stitch them up.

2. Numb the wound by applying the area with gel or cream or by giving a small shot of anesthetic, so they don’t feel pain.

3. Clean the wound with sterile water, which is squirted into the cut to remove any dirt and wash away harmful germs. If needed, use tweezers to remove any debris that the water can’t flush out on its own.

4. After it is cleaned, apply a disinfectant or antiseptic (e.g. betadine) to the center and edges of the wound. This will help prevent infection.

5. Using a very tiny sterile needle, sew the cut together and the suture (like a thread) will pull the edges of the wound closer to each other.

6. Once the stitch is finished, the wound will be covered with a sterile bandage and should be kept dry for 1 to 2 days.

7. A pain medication such as percocet can be prescribed for a few days for pain, depending on the injury and the amount of stitches required.