When can i unwrap my stitches

Also: sit or lie down, or get the person who's bleeding to do this if you're helping someone else, tell them what you're doing as you apply the dressing stop any bleeding by applying pressure and raising the affected leg or arm higher than the heart use a dressing that's slightly bigger than the wound you want it to cover hold the dressing at the edges, keeping your fingers away from the part that's going to cover the wound Sterile dressing pads attached to bandages Sterile hygienic dressing pads come in a protective wrapping.

When applying one: clean and dry the wound and surrounding skin hold the bandage on either side of the pad lay the pad directly on the wound wind the short end once around the limb and the pad wind the other end around the limb to cover the whole pad tie the ends together over the pad to secure it, and put slight pressure on the wound Dressings should be replaced on a regular basis If the wound is severe, you may need to go to a minor injuries unit after applying the dressing.

Plasters adhesive dressings Plasters are made from a piece of gauze and have a sticky adhesive backing. When applying one: clean and dry the wound and surrounding skin — see How do I clean a wound? Further information How do I apply a bandage?

Taking Care of Your Stitches or Staples. Topic Overview Your wound will need care and observation. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice: Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day. After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

Most of the time, stitches are removed: From the face in 4 to 5 days. From the hands and arms in 5 to 10 days. From the feet, legs, chest, abdomen, and back in 7 to 14 days. Gadget at AM on September 2, [ 1 favorite ]. When I worked in surgery all of the instructions were to keep it bandaged while there was oozing or while bathing no soaking, period. After the oozing stops keep it aired out. For a stitches I had, I irrigated the wound frequently with sterilized saline solution, and kept it covered with a frequently-changed cotton dressing.

One of the google results for 'skin healing moisture wound': Prior to the animal model work of Winter3 and the human validation of Hinman and Maibach,4 it was widely accepted that successful wound healing depended on maintaining a dry wound bed.

Subsequently, a paradigm shift toward moist wound healing has revolutionized acute and chronic wound care. It is now commonly accepted that a moist wound environment hastens the healing of both acute and chronic wounds and promotes the growth of new tissue. The balance of moisture is critical to wound healing. In acute wounds, a balanced moist surface facilitates the action of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, thus promoting cellular growth and the establishment of a provisional wound matrix.

Another source: Preparing the wound bed focus on infection and inflammation Note I am not a nurse, doctor, or medical researcher, so I'm not qualified to even say these articles are good or not.

Just finding stuff for your consideration. Whenever I'm hurt, I always think my wound would be happier under a bandage. But at about 24 hours without one, I invariably feel like a bandaid would be scratchy trapping claustrophobic horribleness. Take it off per doctor's orders, feel a little uncomfortable for a day, and then continue on. Happy healing! Definitely keep it uncovered, but also consider the moisture aspect from a non-bandage angle. If you use some sort of ointment -- NOT Neosporin, but a plain petroleum jelly-like substance Vaseline is fine or vitamin E -- it will help keep the edges of the wound from cracking, pulling in, getting dry, all that.

Do not touch the inside of the dressing. Do not apply antibiotic cream unless your doctor tells you to. Place the dressing over the wound and tape down all 4 sides.

Put the old dressing, tape, and other trash in the plastic bag. Seal the bag and throw it away. Bathing or Showering. Keep in mind: Showers are better than baths because the wound doesn't soak in the water. Soaking the wound could cause it to reopen or become infected. Remove the dressing before bathing unless told otherwise. Some dressings are waterproof. The provider may suggest covering the wound with a plastic bag to keep it dry. If your provider gives the OK, gently rinse the wound with water as you bathe.

Do not rub or scrub the wound. Do not use lotions, powders, cosmetics, or any other skin care products on the wound. Gently pat dry the area around the wound with a clean towel. Let the wound air dry. Apply a new dressing.