Sutured wound care instructions

Dressing and showering

• Keep the original dressing clean and dry for 48 hours unless the treating clinician gives different instructions.
• Replace it earlier if it becomes wet, dirty, loose or soaked through.
• After 48 hours, remove the dressing and have a brief shower if needed.
• Do not scrub the wound. Gently pat it dry.
• Apply a clean dressing if it is rubbing on clothing, still oozing or the clinician has advised continued covering.
• Do not apply antiseptics, antibiotic creams or other products unless advised.

Activity

• Avoid stretching, heavy lifting or strenuous activity that pulls on the wound.
• Follow any procedure-site-specific restrictions provided by the clinician.

Swimming and soaking

• Do not swim, use a spa or soak the wound in a bath while stitches remain.
• Resume swimming only after the stitches have been removed and the wound is fully closed, dry and not discharging.
• Ask the practice before swimming if the wound is on the lower leg, over a joint, under tension or healing slowly.

Bleeding

A small amount of spotting may occur. If bleeding occurs, apply continuous firm pressure with clean gauze or a clean folded cloth. Avoid repeatedly lifting it to check because this may restart bleeding.

Contact the practice if bleeding does not settle or repeatedly soaks through the dressing. Seek urgent care for heavy or uncontrolled bleeding.

When to contact the practice

• Increasing or spreading redness around the wound.
• Increasing swelling, warmth or pain.
• Yellow, green or unpleasant-smelling discharge.
• Fever or feeling significantly unwell.
• The wound opening.
• Persistent bleeding.
• Concerns about healing.
• Uncertainty about dressings, stitches, adhesive strips, skin glue or pathology results.

Pathology and follow-up

• Follow the practice's instructions for receiving the pathology result.
• Attend any advised wound review or stitch-removal appointment.
• The procedure is not complete from a care perspective until the pathology result has been reviewed and communicated.