Media Center - View

Wound Care Instructions:

• Keep the wound clean and dry.
• Follow the washing and drying instructions provided by your medical provider for the wound after dressing removal.
• Make sure your hands are clean if you apply a topical medication over the wound
• Take pain medications as directed by your doctor.
• Follow up with your doctor or health care provider to make sure the wound has healed properly.
• Use the creams or ointments recommended by your doctor.
• DON’T scrub the stitches, using a towel directly over the stitches, and use a clean paper towel instead.
• DON’T leave the dressing on the stitches moist because this allows bacteria to reach the area and causes infection.
• DON’T apply pressure to the stitches area with certain activities.
• DON’T expose the wound directly to water such as washing dishes (unless thick rubber gloves are used) until the stitches are removed.

When to go to the emergency:

• If the wound is still bleeding
• If the stitches fall out before the scheduled time to remove them.
• When you notice signs of infection, which include:
• Increased pain.
• Redness and swelling of the area.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Pus (a yellowish substance) coming out of the wound may indicate infection.
• Numbness or tingling around the wound area.

If you apply dressings to stitches, follow the care instructions provided by your medical provider.