Cuts and Stitches

If you have Stitches:

Remember there are 2 kinds of sutures (stitches): ones that need to be taken out and ones that dissolve on their own. If you do not know, make sure you ask before you leave the hospital.

• For cuts on the face and scalp (head) clean the cut with water and put an antibiotic ointment (Polysporin, Bactracin) or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) over the stitches to keep the cut greasy all the time. You need to do this 3 to 4 times a day. Do not let the cut dry out.
• Change the bandage that is over your stitches at least once a day or if it gets wet, unless the doctor tells you something different.
• Do not pick at the stitches.
• You should get your stitches out in 7- 10 days. Your family doctor could take them out.

There are a few things you can do to help your wound or incision heal better such as:

• Eating healthy foods especially fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Not smoking because smoking decreases your blood circulation.
• Keeping your wound or incision out of the sun for 3 to 6 months. Do not put sunscreen on it until it has healed.

Return to the Emergency Department IF:

• The cut keeps bleeding through bandages after 10 minutes of continuous direct pressure over the cut.
• The part of the body that is below the cut is blue, white, or the skin is cold; there is tingling or you cannot feel that part (numbness).
• More pain (a sudden increase after 48 hours have passed)
• Swelling or soreness where the cut is
• Area around your cut is warm to touch
• Redness or red streaks are going away from the cut
• Pus is coming from the cut
• You have a fever with no other reason for it