Dissolvable stitches break down because your immune system attacks them just like they would any other foreign body in your skin, like a splinter. Splinters hurt right? And not just when they go in, they can hurt for a few days afterward. Inflammatory reactions cause pain! They also lead to increased scarring. Here are before and after photos of a skin cancer I removed.
I used dissolvable stitches for the deeper layers and non-dissolvable on the outer layer. For facial surgery, I will almost never use dissolvable stitches on the outer skin because I want to minimize scarring. If it will be logistically difficult to get someone back to have their stitches removed, I will use dissolvable ones.
The most common stitches are the type you may have received when you had a deep cut on your finger or a similar injury. Suture material, a sterile kind of thread, is used to sew a wound closed. Non-dissolvable stitches stay in place for a week or two while the wound heals. A nurse or doctor then takes them out to keep the sutures from growing into new, healthy skin. However, you don't have to have dissolvable stitches removed. This article explains when doctors might use dissolvable stitches and how to care for them.
Dissolvable stitches are often used internally after surgery to close the deepest parts of an incision. But they are also used on the surface of the skin. When a surgeon makes an incision , they cut through more than the skin. They also cut through the fat underneath your skin and sometimes through muscle and other tissues. Your surgeon may close the deeper parts of the incision with dissolvable stitches and then use more stitches on your skin's surface.
They might also use another type of closure, such as adhesive strips or surgical skin glue. Dissolvable stitches vary widely in both strength and how long they take for your body to reabsorb them. Some types dissolve as quickly as 10 days, while others can take about six months to dissolve fully.
The type of suture your doctor uses depends on a few things, including:. Dissolvable stitches are often used after surgery to close the deepest part of an incision.
Doctors can also use them on the surface of the skin. If your dissolvable stitches are on your skin, cleaning them is easy. Cleaning tips for sutured skin include:. You should never scrub your incision. Doing so can be very irritating to the healing skin. It can also make it harder for your wound to close. Don't forget to inspect your wound daily for signs of infection or drainage from your injury. Signs of infection may include:. Wash external incisions with gentle soap and water. An infected wound can lead to serious complications, such as cellulitis and sepsis.
Stitches can also tear or become loose, which may cause the wound to reopen. If this occurs, a person should see their doctor as soon as possible so that they can replace the stitches. People should seek immediate attention if they suspect that their wound may have become infected.
A person should also visit a doctor if their stitches pop, break, or come loose. Dissolvable stitches consist of materials that the body can break down and absorb. They do not require a doctor to remove them and will eventually disappear on their own. Doctors tend to use dissolvable stitches for deeper wounds. For more superficial wounds, they usually prefer to use nonabsorbable stitches. Anyone who suspects that their wound has become infected should seek medical care as soon as possible.
To prevent infection and ensure proper wound healing, it is usually best for a healthcare professional to remove a person's stitches. However, with…. A person can typically treat first- and second-degree burns and scalds at home using certain household or over-the-counter products.
It is also…. Treating burn scars depends on the severity of the burn and how recently it occurred. The article examines the various types of burn scars, how to…. An open wound leaves internal tissue exposed. Ask your doctor about the type of stitches you have been given and how long they should take to dissolve. If your wound has healed and your stitches are bothering you, you might want to consider making an appointment with a GP or practice nurse, who may be able to remove them, rather than waiting for them to dissolve completely.
Page last reviewed: 13 December Next review due: 13 December
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