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Suture or Staple Questions

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This topic covers common questions about sutures (stitches) and staples

Some Basics...

Stitches and staples are used to keep wounds together during healing.
They need to be removed within 4-14 days. The specific removal date depends on the location of the stitches or staples. Removal should not be delayed.

When Should Sutures or Staples Get Removed?

Here are some general guidelines for when stitches or staples should be removed.

Face: 4-5 days
Neck: 7 days
Scalp: 7-10 days
Chest, stomach, and back: 7-10 days
Arms and back of hands: 7 days
Legs and top of feet: 10 days
Fingers and toes: 10-14 days
Palms and soles: 12-14 days
Over a joint: 12-14 days

Is It Normal for the Skin to Feel Numb Around the Sutures or Staples?

There are three reasons why the skin near sutures or staples might feel numb.

Local Anesthesia: the doctor may have injected the skin to make it numb. This way there is no pain when the doctor puts in sutures or staples. How long this lasts depends on what type of local anesthesia was used. Numbness can last from 1-8 hours.
Numbness from the Cut Itself: some people have numbness after getting a cut. There is numbness just along the edges of the wound. This is from cutting nearby tiny nerves at the same time. Numbness can last 1-3 weeks. These tiny nerves will grow back in 2-3 weeks. The numbness will go away.
Nerve Injury: sometimes a cut can be deep enough that it cuts a larger nerve. Numbness that is not just around the wound and that lasts more than 8 hours is a clue. For example, numbness that does not go away, just on one side of a cut finger may mean there has been a digital nerve injury. A person with a possible nerve injury should see his or her doctor.

When to Call for Suture or Staple Questions

When to Call for Suture or Staple Questions
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Severe pain in the wound Bleeding that won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure Stitch (or staple) came out early and wound has re-opened Wound looks infected (spreading redness, pain) and large red area Wound looks infected (spreading redness, pain) and on face Red streak runs from the wound You feel weak or very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Stitch (or staple) came out early and wound is still closed Overdue to have stitches (or staples) removed Wound looks infected (spreading redness, pus) Pain or tenderness of the wound worsens after 48 hours You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Numbness goes beyond the wound edges and lasts more than 8 hours You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Stitched or stapled wound with no other problems

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Severe pain in the wound
Bleeding that won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
Stitch (or staple) came out early and wound has re-opened
Wound looks infected (spreading redness, pain) and large red area
Wound looks infected (spreading redness, pain) and on face
Red streak runs from the wound
You feel weak or very sick
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Stitch (or staple) came out early and wound is still closed
Overdue to have stitches (or staples) removed
Wound looks infected (spreading redness, pus)
Pain or tenderness of the wound worsens after 48 hours
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Numbness goes beyond the wound edges and lasts more than 8 hours
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Stitched or stapled wound with no other problems

Care Advice

Stitched or Stapled Wound

What You Should Know:
- Stitches and staples need to be removed within 4-14 days. The specific removal date depends on the location of the stitches or staples. Removal should not be delayed.
- You should take care of stitched or stapled wounds at home.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Treatment - Normal Stitched or Stapled Wound:
- Keep the wound dry for the first 24 hours. Use a sponge bath, if needed.
- After 24 hours, it is OK to take a short shower.
- Avoid direct pressure of water on the wound. Gently pat the wound dry with a towel.
- Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the wound daily. You can buy this at the store. This helps protect the wound and limits scarring. Exception: if your doctor recommended an antibiotic ointment, use that instead.
- Clean the wound with warm water 1 time per day or if it gets dirty.
- Change the wound dressing if it gets wet or dirty.
- You do not need a dressing after the edges of the wound have closed. This most often happens after 48 hours. You may still need a dressing to stop stitches from catching on your clothing.
- Avoid baths and swimming until the sutures are removed. Water can interfere with healing.
When Should Stitches or Staples Be Removed? Your doctor will have told you when to get your stitches removed. Here are some general guidelines for when stitches or staples should be taken out:
- Face: 4-5 days
- Neck: 7 days
- Scalp: 7-10 days
- Chest or stomach: 7-10 days
- Arms and back of hands : 7-10 days
- Legs and top of feet: 10 days
- Back: 10 days
- Palms and soles: 12-14 days
- Over a joint: 12-14 days
What Happens If You Leave Stitches (or Staples) in Too Long?
- Get your stitches out at the right time.
- Stitches that are left in too long can leave skin marks and sometimes cause scarring. Delays also make it harder to take the stitches out.
What Happens If Stitches (or Staple) Fall Out Early?
- If the stitches or staples come out early, the wound might open up.
- You can reinforce the wound with tape or butterfly adhesive bandages (Band-Aids).
- Call your doctor.
Treatment - After Your Stitches (or Staples) Have Been Removed:
- Protect the wound from injury during the next month.
- Avoid sports that could re-injure the wound. If you must play a sport, put tape on the wound before playing.
- Let the scab fall off on its own. Do not try to remove it.
Pain Medicine:
- You can take one of the following drugs if you have pain: acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
- They are over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
- Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
- Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old.
- Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Wound looks infected
- Fever
- Pain or tenderness at the wound site worsens after 48 hours
- Stitches or staples come out early
- You think you need to be seen
- You get worse

Preventing Scars

What You Should Know:
- Scarring is a natural part of the healing process after a cut or wound.
- Serious injuries and larger wounds are more likely to have scarring.
- Most cuts that need stitches, staples, or skin glue will have some scarring.
- Some people are more likely than others to get scars.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Prevention:
- Be certain to get the stitches removed when your doctor told you to. If you leave them in too long, they can leave marks.
- Avoid getting sunburn on the wound area for 2 months.
- Avoid re-injuring this area.

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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