Stitches remove how long

Taking Care of Your Stitches or Staples. Topic Overview Your wound will need care and observation. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice: Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day. After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day.

Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed. Most of the time, stitches are removed: From the face in 4 to 5 days. From the hands and arms in 5 to 10 days. From the feet, legs, chest, abdomen, and back in 7 to 14 days. Over a joint in 7 to 14 days.

Credits Current as of: February 26, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information. Previous Section: Related Information Top of the page. Are You Sick? Suture or Staple Questions. Wound Infection - Suture Site There is a pimple where a stitch comes through the skin. Is this your child's symptom? Sutures or stitches questions Stapled wounds are treated the same as sutured wounds Skin glue Dermabond questions are also covered When Sutures Stitches are Needed for Cuts Any cut that is split open or gaping needs sutures.

They usually need closure with sutures or skin glue. Any open wound that may need sutures should be seen as soon as possible. Ideally, they should be checked and closed within 6 hours. Reason: to prevent wound infections. There is no cutoff, however, for treating open wounds. When Sutures Stitches Should be Removed Stitches and staples are used to keep wounds together during healing.

They need to be removed within days. The specific removal date depends on the location of the stitches or staples. Removal should not be delayed. Reason: will leave skin marks. For open cuts, call your child's doctor now. General guidelines for re-suturing or re-gluing are listed below: Face Cuts.