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Most cuts or small cuts will usually heal on their own. You just need to keep it clean and protected from dirt. But it is different with open skin wounds, for example, stab wounds with sharp weapons, gunshot wounds, motorized accidents, or injuries obtained from surgical procedures. This type of serious trauma may require stitches to heal the wound. But when can the stitches be opened?
The time is right to remove the stitches
When a surgical suture is removed depends on the condition of the suture wound itself. If the two sides of the linked tissue are firmly attached and are healing well without any signs of infection, the sutures can be removed. If the stitches are opened too early, the wound may reopen and potentially become infected, or scar tissue can develop.
How long the stitches can be removed will also depend on the location of the stitches. For example, a suture wound in a knee or arm joint will need to “stay” longer than a suture on the face or thigh, because the skin in the joint is almost constantly subjected to pressure whenever it bends and extends for activity - sitting, standing, walking, typing, grasping, and so on.
Here are general guidelines for knowing when the suture can be removed:
- Face and head: 4-5 days
- Neck: 7 days
- Arms and backs of hands: 7 days
- Scalp, chest, back, stomach, legs (thighs, calves): 7-10 days
- The palms of the hands, soles of the feet, fingers or toes: 12-14 days
- Joint (knee or elbow): 10-14 days
- Caesarean section: 4-7 days (vaginal episiotomy sutures will usually dissolve on their own in a few weeks, so don't need to be removed)
Consult with your doctor exactly how long you should wait before removing the stitches of your wound. While waiting, keep the seam area clean and dry. Clean the wound area regularly, and replace the bandage with a new one if it looks dirty. If you are changing the dressing, make sure you wash your hands first.
Also look for signs of infection around the stitches, such as swelling, redness, pus, or areas of skin that feel hot. If these symptoms develop, this is a sign that your stitches cannot be opened. See your doctor as soon as possible for infection management.
Can you remove the stitches yourself at home?
Removing stitches is an easy process. Even so, you should not try it yourself at home. Removing stitches on your own can potentially lead to infection if you don't know what to do and you won't have sterile scissors or tweezers. Also, the wound sometimes doesn't heal completely and may reopen at some point in the future.
The stitches should be removed by the doctor so they can make sure that the wound has healed properly and that there are no signs of infection to worry about. If you try to open the stitches at home at home, your doctor won't be able to monitor the progress of the wound. Your doctor can also provide tips on preventing infection or scarring if your stitches need to be removed prematurely.
If the doctor finds that the stitches have not healed, or they may be festering, the doctor will need to take them apart and clean them before being stitched back together to speed healing.
