WOUND/SUTURE CARE

1. Until bedtime/until am/for the first 12, 24 hours, keep the wound as clean and dry as possible. If there is bleeding or the area does get wet, remove the dressing, pat the stitches dry and apply a clean bandage. It is okay to shower _________________.

2. It is normal for the wound to bleed slightly for several hours after stitches are put in. You can leave the bandage off after _______________unless you will be doing dirty or dusty work. Cover the wound while sleeping or if it is under clothes. If the wound gets crusted, dirty or grimy, you can clean it with soap and water.

3. Beginning______________________wash the incision gently with soap and water at least three times a day. After washing, apply an antibiotic ointment. Some people are allergic to neosporin so we advise avoiding it. Many use Bacitracin or Polysporin. Vaseline or Vitamin E ointment are also okay. If the area becomes very red and itchy, or if it develops small blisters, stop the ointment immediately. You probably have an allergy. Ask the pharmacist to give you an ointment without neosporin if an ointment is still needed. Keep an ointment on for 4-5 days or until you can see that the skin is sealed over well.

4. Use Tylenol (two (2) every four hours) or ibuprofen (three (3) 200 mg pills four times per day) for pain as needed. Avoid aspirin since it may cause bleeding. It is okay to use both Tylenol and ibuprofen. Take them at least 2 hours apart.

5. Whenever there is a break in the skin, germs can get underneath and cause infection. If a wound infection does occur, it usually starts 2-4 days after the sutures were put in. Signs of infection include:

(a) increased redness or red streaks leading from the wound

(b) increased swelling

(d) yellow drainage or pus

(e) fever or chills

If you think you might have an infection, call the doctor. You may have been given an antibiotic already. The drug was ________________________________________, _____________ mg. Take the rest of the medicine as follows: ________________________________________________.

6. Be careful not to put excessive pressure on the sutured area. Ask your doctor what kind of activities you can do. The full wound strength does not return for three months. Stretching will increase scarring. You may want to pick up some self adhesive wrap (Coban, Coflex, Coach, etc) to protect the area if you are going to be active.

7. If steri-strips were applied, leave them on until they drop off by themselves. If the edges curl up, cut them off with scissors. It’s okay to get them wet but don’t scrub over them. Also, if steri-strips were used, do not apply the antibiotic ointment as directed above. Steri-strips are often used after the sutures are removed to provide support.

1. The sutures should be removed in __________________days on____________________________. This is generally not painful.

2. Any sutured wound will have some scarring. The wound won’t be totally healed and so you won’t know the final results for at least 10-12 months.

3. If you had a tissue sample sent to the lab, call us for results if we haven’t called you in 14 days.

4. If Dermabond (“super-glue”) was used on your wound: keep it dry for 24 hours but after that showering is allowed. Be careful that there is not undue pressure applied to the wound so that it would break open. DO NOT use any ointment if super-glue is used. This too may be used when sutures are removed.

5. If you notice any growth returning after it was removed, call the office. Call should you experience any problems. The after hours number is (989) 631-0970.