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Suture Advice (Stitches)

Care at Home

This guideline covers common questions asked about sutures (stitches). If your infant is healthy, go directly to the topic that relates to your child.

Suture Care for a normal sutured wound
Suture Removal Dates
Removal Delays
When Sutures Come Out Early
Wound Protection

Suture Care for a normal sutured wound:

Keep sutured wound completely dry for first 24 hours (4 hours for Dermabond skin glue.)
After 24 hours, can take brief showers. Avoid swimming, baths or soaking the wound until sutures are removed or Dermabond has fallen off. (Reason: water in the wound can interfere with healing.)
Apply antibiotic ointment 3 times a day (reason: to prevent infection and a thick scab). (Caution: do not apply any ointments or creams to Dermabond skin glue.)
Cleanse with warm water once daily or if becomes soiled.
Change wound dressing when wet or soiled.
Dressing no longer needed when edge of wound closed (usually 48 hours).
EXCEPTION: dressing needed to prevent sutures from catching on clothing.
For pain relief, give acetaminophen every 4 hours OR ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed (see Dosage table).

Removal Date:
Guidelines for when particular sutures (stitches) should be removed:

Face: 3-4 days
Neck: 7 days
Scalp: 7-10 days
Chest or abdomen or back: 7-10 days
Arms and back of hands: 7 days
Legs and top of feet: 10 days
Palms and soles: 12-14 days
Overlying a joint: 12-14 days

Removal Delays:

Don't miss your appointment for removing stitches.
Stitches removed late can leave unnecessary skin marks and occasionally scarring.
It makes suture removal more difficult.

Suture Out Early:
If the sutures come out early:

Reinforce the wound with tape or butterfly Band-Aids until the office visit.

Wound Protection:
After removal of sutures:

Protect the wound from injury during the following month.
Avoid sports that could re-injure the wound. If a sport is essential, apply tape before playing.
Allow the scab to fall off naturally. Do not try to remove it.