Do not wash or rub the stitches directly. Dab the site dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub the area. Avoid using the towel directly on the stitches.
Should I wash my stitches?
After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.
What should you not do with stitches?
If your child has stitches, do not let them play with water, mud, sand and paint. Playing with things like these could cause the wound area to get dirty or sore, or cause an infection. Children may also be advised to avoid PE at school until their wound has healed.
Should you keep stitches covered?
Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day. After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
How do you clean infected stitches?
They can do this by:
- keeping the stitches covered and dry for the first 24 hours.
- cleaning the stitches gently with mild soap and water.
- avoiding perfumed soaps, alcohol wipes, iodine, and peroxide.
- patting the area dry gently with a fresh towel after cleaning.
Should I cover my stitches at night?
Protect the stitches.
You may need to cover your stitches with a bandage for 24 to 48 hours, or as directed. Do not bump or hit the suture area. This could open the wound.
Can I put Neosporin on my stitches?
The wound and the stitches that hold it together may be cleansed gently with mild soap and water after 24 hours. Twice daily washing may decrease the risk of infection. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend the use of an antibiotic ointment like bacitracin or Neosporin to help minimize infection.
Why do you put Vaseline on stitches?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends petroleum jelly for keeping a wound moist and to help prevent it from drying out and forming a scab, because they take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
How do you help stitches heal faster?
After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the cut with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
How long does it take for stitches to close a wound?
Most types should start to dissolve or fall out within a week or two, although it may be a few weeks before they disappear completely. Some may last for several months. Ask your doctor about the type of stitches you have been given and how long they should take to dissolve.
When should you stop covering a wound?
Leaving a wound uncovered helps it stay dry and helps it heal. If the wound isn’t in an area that will get dirty or be rubbed by clothing, you don’t have to cover it.
How long should you keep a dressing on stitches?
The original dressing should be left in place for up to two days (or as advised by the nurse /midwife/doctor), provided it is not oozing. The wound must be kept dry for two days. If the dressing becomes wet from blood or any other liquid, it must be changed.
Is it normal for stitches to ooze?
Oozing small amounts of blood is normal. You have trouble moving the area near the cut. You have symptoms of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the cut.
Is pus normal after stitches?
It is possible to have drainage that looks like pus but is actually just normal drainage. 1 The only way to tell the difference is to seek medical attention. This is especially important if the drainage is from a surgical wound. If drainage from your surgical wound smells bad, tell your surgeon right away.
What causes stitches to get infected?
Infected stitches are most often caused by bacteria. Common types of bacteria that can infect wounds include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas species. There are some additional factors that can put you at risk for developing infected stitches.