Sutured Wound Care Instructions

Sutures are stitches that can be used to close wounds. Taking care of your wound properly can help prevent pain and infection. It can also help your wound to heal more quickly. Follow instructions from your doctor about how to care for your sutured wound.

Supplies needed:

• Soap and water.
• A clean bandage (dressing), if needed.
• Antibiotic ointment.
• A clean towel.

How to care for your sutured wound

• Keep the wound completely dry for the first 24 hours or as long as told by your doctor. After 24–48 hours, you may shower or bathe as told by your doctor. Do not soak the wound or put the wound completely under water until the sutures have been removed.
• After the first 24 hours, clean the wound once a day, or as often as your doctor tells you to. Take these steps:
  • Wash the wound with soap and water.
  • Rinse the wound with water. Make sure to wash all the soap off.
  • Pat the wound dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the wound.
• After cleaning the wound, put a thin layer of antibiotic ointment on the wound as told by your doctor. This will help:
  • Prevent infection.
  • Keep the bandage from sticking to the wound.
• Follow instructions from your doctor about how to change your bandage:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your bandage at least once a day, or as often as told by your doctor. If your dressing gets wet or dirty, change it.
  • Leave sutures, skin glue, or skin tape (adhesive) strips in place. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If tape strips get loose and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove tape strips completely unless your doctor says it is okay.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Watch for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• Have the sutures removed as told by your doctor.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine or ointment, take or apply it as told by your doctor. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

General instructions

• Cover your wound with clothes or put sunscreen on when you are outside. Use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.
• Do not scratch or pick at your wound.
• Avoid stretching your wound.
• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down, if possible.
• Drink enough fluids to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You were given a tetanus shot and you have any of the following at the site where the needle went in:
  • Swelling.
  • Very bad pain.
  • Redness.
  • Bleeding.
• Your wound breaks open.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your wound.
• Your wound feels warm to the touch.
• You have a fever.
• You notice something coming out of your wound, such as wood or glass.
• You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
• The skin near your wound changes color.
• You need to change your bandage often due to a lot of fluid, blood, or pus coming from the wound.
• You get a new rash.
• You get numbness around the wound.

Get help right away if:

• You have very bad swelling around your wound.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
• Your pain suddenly gets worse and is very bad.
• You have painful lumps near your wound or anywhere on your body.
• You have a red streak going away from your wound.
• The wound is on your hand or foot, and:
  • You cannot move a finger or toe as you used to do.
  • Your fingers or toes look pale or blue.
  • You have numbness that spreads down your hand, foot, fingers, or toes.

Summary

• Sutures are stitches that are used to close wounds.
• Taking care of your wound properly can help prevent pain and infection.
• Keep the wound completely dry for the first 24 hours or for as long as told by your doctor. After 24–48 hours, you may shower or bathe as directed by your doctor.