Sutures
Care of Your Child's Sutures
Explanation
Your child has received sutures (stitches). It is important that you follow these directions on the care of these sutures in order to avoid infection and scarring.
- Rest the area. The stitches will heal best when the area is kept at rest.
- Elevate. If the stitches are on your child's hand, arm, foot, or leg.
- Keep dressing clean. If the dressing over the area becomes wet or soiled, remove it. Replace it with a bandage or whatever clean item you have that will cover the stitches. If you have been told not to change the dressing, call your doctor or clinic if the dressing becomes soiled.
- Keep the area clean. If the stitches are not covered, you must keep the area clean. (Sutures on the face or head are usually not covered.) After 48 hours, you may wash the area with soap and water. Gently pat the area until it is dry.
- Do not let your child play with or pull on these sutures. Your child must not play with his/her stitches. Call your doctor or the surgery clinic if the suture line begins to separate.
- Swelling, redness, fever, pus, or increased pain around the suture areas are cause for concern. Please call your doctor or clinic if any of these symptoms occur.
- Pain relief. Your child will probably experience mild pain. The pain can be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol). However, if the pain is severe or of concern to you, call your doctor or clinic.
It is important to get the sutures out when directed by the doctor. Sutures that are left in too long may cause a lot of scarring. Moreover, sutures that are left in too long are difficult to remove.
Guideline for Suture Removal
| Face | 3-5 Days |
| Scalp | 7 Days |
| Extremities (Varies With Degree And Location) | 7-14 Days |
| Trunk Of Body | 7-10 Days |
Preparing Your Child for Suture Removal
When you bring your child to the clinic suture removal, tell him/her that no shots will be given.
You should tell your child that the procedure will feel like a pulling in the suture area. It might help to show this to your child by taking a piece of thread and pulling through two pinched fingers so your child sees that the procedure will not hurt him/her. If you have an older child, you may tell him/her that the child's job is to stay very still so that the stitches can be removed easily.
For additional information or for an appointment, call the surgery clinic at 513-636-4555.
PEP 2007 II 9/98
Rev. 12/05
