Absorbable. Generally absorbable sutures are clear or white in colour. They are often buried by threading the suture under the skin edges and are only visible as threads coming out of the ends of the wound. The suture end will need snipping flush with the skin at about 10 days.
Dissolvable sutures are usually clear in color, and permanent sutures are dark blue or black in color. Since all sutures are technically “foreign substances” the human body has a tendency to reject them. Ideally, this means the body breaks them down and dissolves them.
Most types should start to dissolve or fall out within a week or two, although it may be a few weeks before they disappear completely. Some may last for several months. Ask your doctor about the type of stitches you have been given and how long they should take to dissolve.
An individual with infected stitches may have: redness or red streaks around the area. tender and swollen lymph nodes closest to the location of the stitches. pain when they touch the stitches or move the injured area.
There are many types of non-absorbable and absorbable sutures. Some non-absorbable sutures are black and shiny, black like thread, blue and shiny, clear and shiny. There are also absorbable sutures that are blue, caramel-colored like hay, clear. . . the list goes on.
Answer: Sutures
Most colored sutures are permanent. Some colored sutures may be dissolvable, but typically lose color with time. You should schedule a follow up with your surgeon and show him/her these photos just to be sure that all is well.
It's not unusual for a dissolvable stitch to poke out from under the skin before it has completely dissolved. Unless the wound has opened, is bleeding, or shows signs of infection, this is not cause for alarm.
Absorbable. Generally absorbable sutures are clear or white in colour. They are often buried by threading the suture under the skin edges and are only visible as threads coming out of the ends of the wound. The suture end will need snipping flush with the skin at about 10 days.
Signs of infection
swelling. increased redness around the wound. pus or bleeding from the wound. the wound feeling warm.
Answer: Sutures/Stitches
Thank you for the inquiry regarding dissolvable stitches. Yes, these types of stitches can feel similar to plastic thread or fishing line.
BLACK: Black (or gray) in wounds is never a good sign. Often, it is associated with necrotic or dead tissue. Once tissue is dead, it cannot be revived and must be removed from a wound for healing to occur.
Maceration occurs when skin has been exposed to moisture for too long. A telltale sign of maceration is skin that looks soggy, feels soft, or appears whiter than usual. There may be a white ring around the wound in wounds that are too moist or have exposure to too much drainage.
Answer: Sutures
Depending on the type of suture used, some sutures may take up to 5-6 months before they are fully absorbed. As long as your incision has not dehisced (separated), you should be OK. Gentle daily scar massage may help.
Healthy granulation tissue is pink in colour and is an indicator of healing. Unhealthy granulation is dark red in colour, often bleeds on contact, and may indicate the presence of wound infection.
A healed wound will usually look pink with closed edges. It should not feel painful, and there should be no blood or fluid coming from it. However, it is best for a person to check with a healthcare professional before removing their stitches at home.
In some cases an absorbable suture can be “spit out” if the body doesn't break it down. This happens when the stitch is gradually pushed out of the skin because the body is rejecting the material. Spitting sutures can feel like a sharp spot on the incision, and a small white thread may start emerging.
Surgeons use stitches to close wounds to stop bleeding and promote healing. However, many patients suffer from intense pain or other problems related to their stitches. In fact, it is not unusual for stitches to become infected even though they are allegedly “dissolvable.”
"Dissolvable stitches placed internally won't need to be removed," says Dr. Yaakovian. "They will break down and disappear on their own over time.
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). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.
Healthy skin is naturally acidic, but if a surgical site gets infected, that acidity decreases. When that change happens, Taylor's sutures go from a bright red to a grayish-purple color.
If your stitches have become infected, you may notice the following symptoms: redness or swelling around the stitches.
Answer: Green stitch
These sutures need to be removed as they do not dissolve. It does appear that you're having some wound healing issues as well and probably would be best to be seen by your plastic surgeon to make recommendations for proper wound healing. Best of luck.