How to Fix a Deep Wound in Project Zomboid
A deep wound is more severe than a laceration. It bleeds heavily, drains health rapidly, and won't fully close from bandages alone — it needs stitching. Most players catch deep wounds from glass when smashing through a window without removing it first, or from large drops onto sharp objects.
What You Need
- Suture Needle (single-use) — purpose-built medical tool. Found in pharmacies, hospitals, doctor offices, and ambulances.
- OR Needle + Thread — alternative. Thread depletes per stitch; the needle is reusable. Found in households, sewing kits, kitchens.
- Sterilizer (optional but recommended): Bottle of Disinfectant, Bourbon, Cotton Balls, or Alcohol Wipes.
- Bandage — applied after stitching to cover the closed wound.
Step-by-Step Treatment
- Open the Health panel (hotkey
H). - Right-click the deep wound entry.
- If you have a sterilizer, sterilize first. This lowers the chance of secondary wound infection.
- Stitch using either Suture Needle (one-time) or Needle + Thread.
- Bandage the wound (sterilized bandage preferred).
- Replace dirty bandages periodically until the wound closes.
Removing the Stitches
After the wound has fully healed, the stitches stay in place until removed. In the Health panel, right-click the healed wound and select Remove Stitches. Doing this grants a small amount of First Aid XP.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Bandaging without stitching first | The deep wound keeps draining health under the bandage. It will not heal until stitched. |
| Stitching without sterilizing | Higher chance of regular wound infection. Stack a fever moodle on top of your other problems. |
| Treating a zombie-inflicted laceration as a deep wound | Lacerations are bandage-only. Stitching costs you a suture for nothing. Read the Health panel label carefully. |
If It's a Zombie Wound
Deep wounds from zombies do not automatically transmit the Knox Virus the way bites do — that's lacerations and bites only. But you should still monitor for the 24-hour incubation window if you suspect any zombie contact.
Stay alive. Host a Project Zomboid server with Supercraft and survive Knox Country with friends.