Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 6 Jan 2021), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Jan 2021), ASHP (updated 6 Jan 2021) and others. Do not remove the dressing unless you're advised to do so by a healthcare professional. Wash your face when you get out of the shower with a wash cloth and just don't get the area wet where the stitches are. Is it better to have a bath or shower after surgery? Stitches should be kept dry, stand at the sink and wash thoroughly with a wash cloth, the old fashioned way for a bit longer. I know you're not supposed to get the stitches wet and also I've been told not to stretch my thighs. swimming,bath,shower etc. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. If you're not sure whether your dressing is waterproof, avoid getting it wet. they are longer than the normal stitches. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. "had tympanoplasty 3 weeks ago. If you do not wash it during bathing, you can use saline and apply soap with sterile gauze. However, you should not submerge your dressing under water. After this, you can shower if your doctor okays it. Removing stitches. Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards. It is important for people to follow their doctor’s care instructions after having dissolvable stitches. How can I tell if my child's cut needs stitches? No. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. A quick shower that avoids soaking the stitches should be okay and be sure not to rub the wound when you dry. If you have a dressing over your stitches, avoid getting it wet. Take showers instead of baths. Shouldn't the stitches be kept moist. It may freshen you up a bit to have a shower after a minor head wound. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions for bathing with your stitches. Pat the cut dry. After this, you can shower if your doctor okays it. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Keep the cut dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. If you have any doubt, head for the doctor's office or the emergency department to get the cut checked out. Yes, only if u run them under water e.g. We usually see patients back day 3 post op. Add message | Report Menu 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). 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). can i take a shower and get those stitches wet?" Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Read your discharge notes for guidance or ring your gp for advice. There is a bad smell coming from your wound. Don't soak the cut, such as in a bathtub. Go knock yourself out. Or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Don't soak the cut, such as in a bathtub. Answer: Showering with stitches Each board certified plastic surgeon may have a different protocol. If you fall off of your bike onto your head it can cause stitches or a serious head injury like TBI. How can you care for yourself at home? Wait 12 to 24 hours after you receive your stitches before you take a shower. Keep your wound above the level of your heart as often as you can. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Dissolvable stitches that poke through the skin may fall off themselves, perhaps in the shower from the force of the water or by rubbing against the fabric of your clothing. Too soon? Your doctor will tell you when it's safe to get the cut wet. But doctors have other tools they can use to close a wound, like stitches, staples, glue, and even medical zippers. This should be in their post operative instructions. 1/2. i had to bath with my leg out of the bath and could not shower at all. Just don't scrub it ... Do I need stitches? Next review due: 6 March 2023. When can I have a bath or shower after surgery? 80 comments. I really really really need to wash my hair and shave my legs (not where the wound is but the rest of my legs). In many cases, a person can shower 24 hours after the wound closure. share. Your doctor will tell you when it's safe to get the cut wet. A doctor or nurse will tell you when you can get your stitches wet or if they need to be kept dry. Available for Android and iOS devices. This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. Some patients wash the wound daily during their shower. You will be told if you need to return to a GP or a nurse to have your stitches removed. Your wound is red, warm, swollen, or leaking pus. i put talc down it sprayed deodarant down it put nothing worked. Keeping stitches dryIf you have stitches on your arm or leg, you can have a bath or shower as long as you keep your stitches dry. Failure to comply may result in legal action. Mrmonkey if you had a general anaesthetic it would be reasonable to stay off until Monday. Stitches on head scalp Asked for Male, 19 Years I had an accident 1 month before i got stitches on my head scalp i am very worried about hair grow is here any scope to grow hair on scar and around scar also hair is falling down day by day..is there any treatment accept surgery. Try to keep your stitches dry for at least 48 hours after surgery. If you do this during bathing you must carefully wash the wound with soap and water. Do take showers. Close menu, Back to Accidents, first aid and treatments. You have increased pain in the wound area. the things we do for boobs! They are basting stitches which can easily be taken out at a later time. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Some dressings are waterproof, so you could wet your dressing lightly – for example, with the spray from a shower. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020. Stitches need to be removed after your wound has healed. Stitches, or sutures, are used to close cuts and wounds on the skin. I've seen terrible scars much worse caused by stitches than staples being a nurse, staples also are usually easier to remove and don't cause the patient too much discomfort as stitches can, staples are also easier to been seen and don't break therefore making the whole foreign body easily removed where as stitches can break and can be mistakenly left behind causing more infection potentially. You have sudden numbness around your wound. Generally, a deep, long, wide, or gaping wound – deeper than about 1/4 inch or longer than about 1/2 inch (1/4 inch on the face) – will need stitches (also called sutures) to help prevent infection, minimize scarring, and stop bleeding. But none of my stitches are dissolved by now. If you can, control the spray and protect your wound in a shower. And is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment often as you do not this... Bathing you must carefully wash the wound with soap and a flannel but there was a coming... Leg out of the bath and could not shower at all page to... The emergency department to get the cut checked out 's office or the emergency department to get cut... Not to stretch my thighs i need stitches this information tools they can use to close and. 12 to 24 hours after you receive your stitches removed to keep your stitches are out before you a... They are basting stitches which can easily be taken out at a later time the standard! 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