Stitches are a safe, effective way to close serious cuts or surgical incisions. Doctors use sterile thread to hold the edges of a wound together to stop the bleeding and allow the tissue to heal.
If you have a cut that needs stitches, it’s important to care for the wound properly to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications or infection. Keeping the wound clean and treating discomfort will help you manage the natural healing process after getting stitches.
What to Do During the First 48 Hours After Getting Stitches
For the first 48 hours after getting stitches, it’s important to follow the after-care instructions your healthcare provider gave you. This will reduce the risk of infection and help you manage discomfort.
You will need to keep the area dry for at least 24 hours. Moisture can create a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the infection risk.
It can be challenging to keep stitches dry in a bath or shower. It may be easier to keep clean with sponge baths until your healthcare provider says it’s safe to get the area wet.
If your provider covered the wound with a bandage, leave it in place. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the area around the wound, though it is usually best to avoid touching stitches as much as possible.
How to Clean and Protect Stitches at Home
After the first 48 hours, you should clean your stitches and change the dressing twice a day. Always wash your hands before and after touching the area with stitches to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Remove the bandage from the affected area.
- Gently wash the area around the stitches with clean water and a gentle, unscented soap, and thoroughly rinse away any soap residue. Avoid hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as they can slow the healing process.
- Pat the area dry using a clean, dry towel. Do not rub the stitches, as that can risk pulling them out.
- You may cover the incision with a thin layer of petroleum jelly.
- Cover the stitches with a non-stick bandage.
Try to protect the area with the stitches from being bumped or scraped. That can hurt and potentially disrupt the stitches and reopen the wound.
Managing Pain, Itching, and Everyday Activities
If you have pain or discomfort after getting stitches, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also apply an ice pack for 15-20 minutes to ease pain and swelling. Don’t put an ice pack directly on the skin; wrap it in a clean towel or dishcloth. Elevating the injury can reduce swelling.
Do not scratch or pick at your stitches. Scabbing around stitches is normal and aids the healing process, and opening scabs can increase the risk of infection.
You should avoid any activity that strains the skin around the stitches, including exercise. Your healthcare provider will give you a timeline for resuming normal activities.
Sensations such as tingling, numbness, and itching are a normal part of the healing process. They happen as the nerves regenerate, and while they may be uncomfortable, they typically go away as the wound heals completely.
Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on activity limits and how best to protect your stitches as your skin heals.
Signs Your Stitches May Be Infected
When you clean your stitches, look for possible signs of infection, such as:
- New or worsening pain
- Increasing redness
- Increasing swelling
- Red streaks traveling outward from the wound
- The edges of the wound pulling apart
- Pus or bleeding
- Fever
If you have any signs of infection, contact your doctor or visit the nearest location for Next Level Urgent Care, where a health care provider can evaluate your wound. You may need additional wound care or antibiotics to treat the infection.
What to Expect as Your Wound Heals
Wounds typically heal over the course of several weeks, and you’ll notice changes to the injury during that time.
- Days 1–3: In the first few days after a wound is stitched up, your immune system works to prevent infection in the area. It’s normal to experience redness, swelling, and pain.
- Days 3–14: Your body begins making new tissue to close the wound. Redness and pain should subside as the wound begins to heal.
- Weeks 2–6: The wound will be healed enough that you no longer need the stitches to hold the skin together. The skin may still be tender and more prone to injuries.
The process of removing stitches depends on what type of stitches your doctor used. In some cases, providers use dissolvable stitches, which are broken down naturally by your body. They typically begin to loosen within 7 to 14 days and are fully absorbed within a few weeks.
Non-dissolvable stitches can usually be removed within 7 to 14 days after placement, depending on the location of the injury. Stitches on the face can come out in 3 to 5 days. If the injury is on the scalp, chest, or abdomen, it can come out in 7 to 10 days. Stitches on the arms, legs, back, or joints can be removed in 10 to 14 days.
Sometimes stitches come loose before they’re ready to be removed. If this happens, do not try to pull, cut, or remove the stitch yourself. Contact your healthcare provider right away. They can tell you whether the wound needs to be re-stitched or can be secured with Steri-Strips or a bandage.
Need Follow-Up Care for Your Stitches?
If you need additional care after getting stitches, you can avoid the ER and visit Next Level Urgent Care instead. Experienced health care providers can examine your wound to assess healing and provide any additional treatment you need.
With 45+ locations across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, you can get care seven days per week between 9 AM and 9 PM. We always welcome walk-in patients, or you can check in online via our mobile app.
