Stitches

After stitches care?

My son recently got his stitches removed, 17 of them to be exact. The Dr. didn't give me any info on how to care for the scab. He said to put antibiotic cream on it. He also put a bandage thing on it, but did not say if I should keep it on. How often should I apply the Antibiotic ointment, should I keep it covered? Can he bathe as usual. FYI, he's 4yrs old.

Public Comments

1. If the doctor removed the stitches then the wound must be closed so therefore yes I'm sure your son can bathe. I would suggest putting on the antibiotic ointments a couple times a day for a couple days and you may want to keep it covered for a day or two. Keep your eyes on it to be sure it does not reopen up and watch for redness and warmth around the wound indicating possibly infection. After a couple of days I would think it would be OK to leave it open to air. And always contact your doctor if you feel the area is not healing correctly. Good luck to you and your son.
2. geez, call your Dr.'s office, and maybe the nurse can give some advice, don't take the advice of us amateurs! the packaging or tube of the cream should give some idea of how often to use it...but I do know that the most important thing to do is to keep the area clean and dry, and don't let the little guy pick at it, which kids sometimes will do...good luck!
3. Yes, your son can bathe if he just got his stitches removed. Apply the antibiotic ointment once or twice a day. Keep the cut covered if he is going outside for a while to reduce scarring from sunlight. You don't have to keep it covered all the time if there is just a scab left. Let it fall off. If there are any openings in the cut still there, keep it covered more often to promote the rest of his healing. You don't want to keep it covered 24 hours a day because it will turn soggy and won't heal as fast. Alternate between open to air and covered. Only use plain soap and water, no alcohol or peroxide.
4. I just got stiches removed and my wound was much more comfortable if I kept it loosely covered with gauze and had antibiotic ointment on it. The first day I let it "dry out" caused the healing area intense itching and a "tight" feeling which was uncomfortable. After a few days now with the stiches out and scabs gone, it is feels ok without the bandage and ointment. Once the scabs have fallen off, go to the drug store and get some Mederma or other scar reducing creams...