Descripción
Most minor cuts and scrapes heal on their own, with little more intervention needed than mild soap and water to keep them clean.
• But more serious cuts or incisions from surgical procedures may require stitches, or sutures, to hold tissues together while they heal.
• The goal is to piece together the edges so that skin and other tissues can fuse back together.
• Then the stitches are removed.
• Although it's natural to feel a little anxious if you're getting stitches, especially if you've just experienced trauma, the procedure is generally painless.
• And stitches will help cuts heal with minimal scarring or risk for infection.
• The doctor or nurse will give you instructions for caring for your stitches as your cut heals.
• These may include specific steps for cleaning and dressing the wound.
• You may be advised to keep the wound and bandages dry.
• Your doctor may also recommend an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection and make you aware of signs that may indicate infection.
• Keep an eyeout for such signs, including a fever higher than 100 degrees or red streaks on the skin near the wound.
• And if any of your stitches pop or break, or you have any other concerns, be sure to contact your doctor.
• Removal of Stitches
• Stitches typically need to remain in place for several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the cut and location.
• Your doctor will tell you when to come back to have them taken out. Removing stitches is a much faster process than putting them in.
• The doctor simply clips each thread near the knot and pulls them out.
• You may feel a slight tugging sensation, but the removal of stitches shouldn't hurt at all.
• You won't even need an anesthetic.
• Although removing stitches is not a difficult process, you shouldn't try to remove them yourself.
• It's important for your doctor to check to see that the wound is healing properly and to make sure that it's OK for the stitches to come out.
• The doctor may also have special instructions for you after the stitches are removed, which may help minimize scarring.