- For the first 24 hours, keep the wound clean and dry. If there is bleeding or the area becomes wet, remove the dressing, pat the stitches dry, and apply a clean bandage. It is okay to shower after 24 hours.
- It is normal for the wound to bleed slightly for several hours after stitches are placed. After 72 hours, you can leave off the bandage unless you will be doing dirty or dusty work. Cover the wound while sleeping. If the wound gets crusted, dirty, or grimy, you can clean it with soap and water.
- Use Tylenol (two every 4 hours) or Ibuprofen (three 200-mg pills four times per day) for pain as needed. Avoid aspirin, since it may cause bleeding.
- Whenever there is a break in the skin, germs can get underneath and cause infection. If a wound infection does occur, it usually starts 2 to 4 days after the sutures were placed. Signs of infection include the following:
- increased redness
- increased swelling
- increased tenderness
- increased pain
- yellow drainage or pus
- red streaks leading from the wound
- fever or chills
If you think you might have an infection, call the doctor or seek medical care promptly.
- Be careful not to put excessive pressure on the sutured area. Ask you doctor what kind of activities you can do.
- If Steri-Strips were applied, leave them on until they drop off by themselves. If the edges curl up, cut them off with scissors. It’s okay to get them wet, but don’t scrub over them.
- The sutures should be removed in ________ days.
- Generally any sutured wound will have some scarring. Wound healing takes time, so you won’t know the final results for at least 10 to 12 months.
- If you had a tissue sample sent to the lab, call us for the results if we haven’t called you in 14 days.
- If Dermabond (“super glue”) was used on your wound, keep it dry for 24 hours, but after that showering is allowed. Do not apply too much pressure to the wound, which can cause it to break open. Don’t use the antibiotic ointment if super glue is used.