Absorbable Stitches: Care Instructions
Overview
Absorbable stitches are used to close a skin wound or a cut made during surgery. You may also hear them called dissolvable stitches. They will dissolve and be absorbed by your body as it heals.
These stitches can be used anywhere on the body and under casts or splints. If you had surgery, your doctor may have used them below the skin and put other stitches that don't get absorbed on top of your skin. Sometimes tape strips are used on the skin too.
In most cases, your doctor won't need to take out absorbable stitches. The part of the stitch that's under the skin will dissolve over time. If you have a knot from the absorbable stitch on top of your skin, it will probably fall off in a couple of weeks. But everyone is different. The timing depends on the type of stitch you have and the size of your wound. And certain body parts can take longer to heal.
Talk to your doctor if your stitches don't go away when your doctor said they would.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Keep the area dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. After this, you can shower if your doctor says it's okay. Pat the wound dry.
- Don't soak the wound, such as in a bathtub or swimming pool, until your doctor says it's okay.
- If your doctor told you how to care for your wound, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
- After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing.
- You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.
- Apply a little bit of petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
- Prop up the sore area on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next few days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- Avoid any activity that could cause your wound to reopen.
- Do not touch, pick at, or remove the stitches. Let them go away on their own.
- Leave the tape strips on until they fall off.
When should you call for help?
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new pain, or your pain gets worse.
- The skin near the wound is cold or changes colour.
- You have new or worse tingling, weakness, or numbness near the area.
- The wound starts to bleed, and blood soaks through the bandage. Oozing small amounts of blood is normal, especially in the first few days.
- You have trouble moving the area near the wound.
- You have symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the wound.
- Reddish streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the wound.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
- The wound reopens.
- The knots from the stitch don't fall off when your doctor said they would.
- You do not get better as expected.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter A567 in the search box to learn more about "Absorbable Stitches: Care Instructions".
Current as of: July 11, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
