Is it OK to keep stitches uncovered?

Yaakovian recommends leaving them dressed for two to three days. During this time, avoid getting the covering wet. Once you remove the dressing, you likely don't need to put anything else on your stitches — such as petroleum oil or antibiotic ointments.

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Should I cover my stitches or let them breathe?

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 non-stick bandage.

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Can you leave stitches without a bandaid?

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.

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Should stitches be covered with a dressing?

If the wound is healing it can be left without a dressing, but you may prefer to have a dressing to cover the wound for protection, especially if your clothing can rub against it. We will give you a supply of replacement dressings to use at home. Dissolving stitches usually disappear in 7-10 days.

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Should I cover my stitch?

Should I keep the stitches covered? This depends on the location of the wound. Usually we do not put dressings over wounds on the face or head, especially if they are clean and dry. If you are at home, and it feels comfortable, it is a good idea to let the air get to the area.

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How to care for a healing wound

33 related questions found

Do stitches heal faster covered or uncovered?

Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.

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Do stitches heal better uncovered?

Contrary to folk wisdom, wounds need moisture — not air — to heal. Leaving a wound uncovered can slow down the healing process.

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When can I stop covering my stitches?

Should you keep stitches covered? You'll likely leave the hospital or your provider's office with your stitches already covered, and Dr. Yaakovian recommends leaving them dressed for two to three days. During this time, avoid getting the covering wet.

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When should you stop covering a wound?

Leaving a wound uncovered helps it stay dry and helps it heal. If the wound isn't in an area that will get dirty or be rubbed by clothing, you don't have to cover it.

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When can you leave dressing off stitches?

You can leave the original dressing in place for up to five days (or as advised by your surgeon) providing that it's dry and not soaked with blood, and there are no signs of infection. If your wound is healing it can be left without a dressing.

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What do you cover stitches with?

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.

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How do you prevent stitches from scarring?

To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

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How can I make my stitches heal faster?

It's important to keep sutures clean and dry, especially for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can wet the sutured area gently and quickly, for example in a sink or in the shower. Carefully pat the stitches dry immediately, as moisture can slow down the healing process.

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What not to do with stitches?

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 should not go swimming until your wound has healed and your stitches have been removed.

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Can I take a shower with stitches?

You should be able to wash normally after your stitches, dressings and clips have been removed. It's usually better to have a shower until the wound has healed to avoid soaking it completely. Afterwards, pat your wound and the area around it dry.

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Can I wear clothes over my stitches?

The wound needs time to heal otherwise it could develop an infection or other issues delaying the healing process. The easiest answer to this question is comfy, loose-fitting clothes to let your skin and the incisions breathe.

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What wounds should be left uncovered?

Small dry, scabs from minor cuts and scrapes can be left uncovered. Also, pressure ulcers on the heels can often be left open to dry. However, if you're concerned that a wound looks deep, is not healing or might be infected, a healthcare professional should examine it.

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Can I get stitches wet after a week?

After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath).

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What are the stages of a stitches healing process?

The complicated mechanism of wound healing occurs in four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.

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Do stitches hurt when healing?

You might feel sharp, shooting pains in your wound area. This may be a sign that you're getting sensations back in your nerves. The feeling should become less intense and happen less often over time, but check with your doctor if you're concerned.

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Do stitches heal in 7 days?

In general, you should not get your stitches wet, and you may need to apply antibiotic ointment and change dressings regularly. It is best to keep the injured area elevated above your heart for the first 24-48 hours to reduce swelling and encourage healing. Stitches usually come out within two weeks.

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Why put Vaseline over stitches?

If you have sutures (stitches): -Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor healing ointment to the sutured site 3-4x/ day for the next three to four days. The ointment will help the wound heal more quickly and minimize scarring.

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Is Bio Oil good for scars?

Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.

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Does pink skin mean scarring?

What are the signs of a scar? When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it's usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin.

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