Health Resources

Suture Questions

Definition

• This guideline covers common questions about sutures or stitches.

See More Appropriate Topic

• If your child has a cut and you wonder if she needs stitches, see TRAUMA, SKIN 
• If wound looks infected, see WOUND INFECTION 

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Major surgical wound that’s starting to open up
• Bleeding that won’t stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• Suture came out early and wound has re-opened

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Suture came out early and wound is still closed
• Suture removal is overdue

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home

• Sutured wound with no complications and you don’t think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice

1. Suture Care for a normal sutured wound:
   • Can get wound wet (e.g. bathing or swimming) after 24 hours.
   • Apply antibiotic ointment 3 times a day (Reason: to prevent infection and a thick scab).
   • 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)
2. Removal Date: Guidelines for when particular sutures (stitches) should be removed:

   Face Neck Scalp Chest or abdomen Arms and back of hands Legs and top of feet Back Palms and soles

   3-4 days 5 days 6 days 7 days 7 days 10 days 10 days 14 days

3. Removal Delays: Don’t miss your appointment for removing stitches. Stitches removed late can leave unnecessary skin marks and occasionally scarring. It also makes suture removal more difficult.
4. Suture Out Early: If the sutures come out early:
   • Reinforce the wound with tape or butterfly Band-Aids until the office visit
5. 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.
6. Call Your Doctor If
   • Looks infected
   • Fever
   • Sutures come out early
   • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms

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