Generally, after your stitches have been removed or have dissolved and your wound has fully healed, you should be able to swim in the sea or a swimming pool. Once a wound has healed, the risk of infection decreases.
You should really avoid this activity until stitches have been removed and the wound has fully healed as this decreases the risk of infection. Recommendations are that you don't go swimming until: Your GP or surgeon has confirmed that it's safe. Your wound has healed sufficiently for you to do so.
“Overall, I recommend avoiding submerging the incision for at least a week if possible,” Hannan says. “If absolutely necessary, a waterproof adhesive bandage should be used, and the minimum amount of time in the water as is possible for that person.”
Covering Your Wound
Using waterproof plasters and bandages to cover wounds will help to protect them while you swim so that they can heal properly. Before applying a plaster or bandage, it's essential to clean the wound so that you're not trapping any bacteria underneath the plaster or bandage.
The timing is difficult to adequately quantify and so patients should be advised that they can return to swimming once sutures have been removed and the wound is fully healed. This ensures that the integrity of the skin has been restored thereby decreasing the chance of infection from microbial entry through the wound.
Generally, it is okay to swim once the stitches come out or dissolve, which can be one to two weeks after the procedure. Any post-operation soreness should also be taken into consideration.
It's important not to scratch your stitches; even though they're strong, scratching may damage them. You should avoid contact sports, such as football or hockey, to give your wound the best possible chance to heal.
You may purchase a waterproof dressing, which will come as a bandage film that has adhesive. Apply your waterproof bandage as per the instructions. Stretch it out over the wound to ensure it fully covers it. If you are going swimming or showering, keeping your wound dry will be especially important.
"In order to help prevent infection, we want stitches to stay as dry as possible until they're removed and the area is completely healed," explains Dr. Yaakovian.
The truth is, even though people might associate salt water with healing, moisture can quickly cause the skin to swell around wounds and complicate the healing process. This not only affects the healing process, but can also allow bacteria to enter the wound, thereby increasing the risk of infection.
Sea Water is not good for your Wounds!
So often we hear patients ask us if going to the beach and getting into the salty water would be good to heal their wounds. I've got bad news for you – NO it would not be good.
Typically, you need to wait about a month after surgery before swimming, or up to six weeks with certain procedures like a tummy tuck. Once Dr.
Keep your stitches or staples dry and covered with a bandage. Non-absorbable stitches and staples need to be kept dry for 1 to 2 days. Absorbable stitches sometimes need to be kept dry longer. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your stitches dry.
The four phases of wound healing. The complicated mechanism of wound healing occurs in four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling.
Don't go swimming in lakes, streams, ponds or the ocean because of the bacteria present. You don't want to risk getting the wound infected.
Air dries out the wound and promotes cell death, not healing. Covering the wound maintains the natural moisture that helps keep cells alive. An exposed cut will pick up dirt and debris from the air. A wound that heals in a moist environment is less likely to leave a scar.
Drainage from a surgical wound can tell you a lot about whether the site is healing properly or not. So can the length of time you experience symptoms. Serosanguineous drainage should last for a few days because it's part of the normal wound-healing process. Beyond that, drainage may be cause for concern.
Waterproofing is the answer
It is important to use plasters that stay securely in place – even during prolonged contact with water – and they should be breathable and flexible to allow you to move around freely. Hansaplast Aqua Protect plasters ensure that wounds stay well-protected and heal safely.
While a gentle clean is okay, too much water can degrade the stitches, so it's best to keep them dry. Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage when showering, and replace that one once you're dry.
Can I swim? If your burn is not completely healed it is recommended that you DO NOT swim in either a pool or the ocean as there is a significant risk of infection to your burn.
After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the cut with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
Good incision care can help ensure that it heals well and infection doesn't develop. In most cases, a surgical incision heals in about two weeks. More complex surgical incisions will take longer to heal. If you have other medical conditions or are taking certain medications, your healing time may differ.
Generally, avoid high-fat meats, eggs, dairy products, and sugary sweets. According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), these foods are low in fiber and may lead to constipation.
Protect the stitches.
You may need to cover your stitches with a bandage for 24 to 48 hours, or as directed. Do not bump or hit the suture area. This could open the wound. Do not trim or shorten the ends of your stitches.