Stitches

Caring for stitches, doctor gave no care instructions, confused.?

Yesterday I cut the back of my calf when a glass bottle of juice smashed and a piece bounced up and gashed the back of my calf. The doctor gave me 4 stitches. Being new years eve, the doctor was very rushed and I barely got a chance to ask questions, nor did he bother to tell me how to care for the wound. All he said was to keep it dry and covered. The doctor put a water proof thing on it, which is see through. During the night I can see that it has been bleeding. So what am I meant to do? The waterproof adhesive he put on it appears to be sticky, and the sticky part is over the entire wound, meaning if I took it off to replace it with a fresh one it would most likely pull at the wound and stitches. Im really confused, and I wish he had bothered to tell me what I am supposed to do. Surely Im not meant to leave this waterproof thing on it for 2 weeks until I am scheduled to go back and get the stitches out. Surely I would be supposed to change the dressing occasionally. Anyone had experience with stitches? I really need some help.

Public Comments

1. You could probably go into the ER after a day or so and have a nurse replace the bandage. The stitches will probably need to stay on for at least another week.
2. Put some antibiotic ointment on it asap
3. Depends if they are dissolvable stitches, staples, or wire that will need to be cut and removed. You should probably call up the hospital and ask what kind you have and if you should return for removal. For the time being, just keep it clean with mild soap and warm water. Keep it dry.
4. that's fine to change the dressing - and it will bleed abit for a day or so (you did cut yourself) some people like to keep completely dry, however I find that unrealistic this is what I recommend keep dry for 24 hours - this gives the skin time to seal wash in the shower - do not rub soap in, just let the water run over pat dry - or use the hairdryer on low to dry completely avoid swimming in dirty places like rivers / public pools etc until healed cover if you are going out and about or it is rubbing on clothes, otherwise I would let open to the air at home, or cover with a light cover danger signs are redness around wound or travelling up leg redness / oozing / increasing soreness / does not look clean and dry just gently peel off the old dressing or if it is stuck , wash it off under the shower tomorrow you can by dressings at the pharmacy I do believe in leaving open to some air as I find those waterproof ones can hold in moisture and leave a wound soggy use a non waterproof one if you just want a cover over it to stop it rubbing and change daily after shower
5. just leave it as is dont touch it or play with it... go to your docs after 7 days
6. Leave it alone it will be fine. He used Tegaderm which is a waterproof plastic adhesive film that's also breathable meaning air can get through. If for some reason the Tegaderm film should come off then just clean the stitches with peroxide and put a dry sterile dressing on it. We use it all the time for shoulders and backs so that the patients can shower and bathe after surgery. He didn't give you any instructions because there really isn't anything you can't do. The stitches keep the wound closed and the Tegaderm keeps the stitches covered. It's like wearing a belt with suspenders so your pants don't fall down.