Well, I didn't need stitches when I cut off the side of my left index finger. It cut it clean off from the 1st joint right off the end along side the nail. Thank goodness it didn't cut into the nail bed, would have been much worse. My grandson took me to the drug store and I got some of the bandages that you put on and leave until it comes off by itself. It stayed on about 8 days, my finger was red and tender but almost completely healed. Now my finger is fat on one side and skinny on the other side.