Stitches

What can you put on absorbable stitches (sutures) in the perineal area, and what should you not put on them?

I have been taught that you should keep the stitches clean and dry. (We are talking about chromic gut stitches on the perineum after a tear due to childbirth.) I think it is OK to put witch hazel on them but I want to make sure. Some people say to put vitamin E, but someone told me that if you do that, they will dissolve too fast and you'll have to get re-stitched. Any midwives/doctors in the house with this info?

Public Comments

1. You don't want them to dry out before the incision has healed. I think Witch Hazel is too strong. Call and ask someone at your doctor's office.
2. witch hazel is fine, this is the main ingredient in Tucks wipes and that is highly recommended to use for comfort and healing. Warm showers and/or sitz baths - but do not take a real bath. dermaplast spray, again for comfort and healing. i assume the "no's" would be anything that keeps stitches wet...which vit e is oily and would stay wet.
3. I agree with the last 2 replies , but may i add that zinc and vit c aid healing ,if taken orally , can speed healing , without compromising the area that is sutured . i would as a nurse and a mother be very reluctant to put anything directly on to the wound bed , but if you like add some witch hazel to your bath water and dissolve a vitamin E capsule in the bath water
4. Those sutures take a while to dissolve. It really isn't the part on the outside that the suture is holding together. After a day or two the natural inflammatory process is starting to scar over, holding your internal tissues together. I've know women who did nothing and were just fine, also know many who put something else on and were just fine. If you doubt yourself, feel free to call your doctors office and get their opinion on what you can do to help yourself feel more comfortable. I've sutured a number of women, but mine were normally sutured inside the vaginal cavity. I think you'll be fine no matter what you do, just don't pull them out. Congrad & Good luck with your baby.