Most simple sutures heal without drama. The patients who run into trouble usually fall into one of two categories: those who over-care (fiddling with the wound, applying creams, soaking it) and those who under-care (ignoring early signs of infection, removing dressings too late). Here is the day-by-day rhythm we want you to follow.
Day 0 — what we did and why
After cleaning the wound thoroughly under local anaesthetic, we closed the skin edges with either non-absorbable sutures (which we'll remove later), absorbable sutures (which dissolve), or tissue glue/Steri-Strips for small clean cuts. We placed a sterile dressing on top and gave you a tetanus assessment if needed. The stitches themselves are not what does the healing — your body's healing happens underneath, and the stitches just hold the edges in place while that happens.
Day 1 — first shower, first dressing change
- Keep the dressing on for the first 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, you can shower normally. Let warm water run over the wound. Don't scrub.
- Pat dry with a clean towel (don't rub).
- If the wound is on a part of the body that doesn't catch on clothing, you can leave it uncovered from day 2 onwards.
- If it does catch, use a non-stick dressing (Mepore, Melolin) and change it daily.
- No baths, swimming pools, or hot tubs until the stitches are out.
Day 2–6 — normal vs concerning
Normal:
- Mild redness around the wound edges (1–2 mm)
- Mild swelling, peaking at day 3
- Tenderness that gradually improves
- Clear or pale yellow ooze in the first 48 hours
- Itching from day 5 onwards
Concerning — come back to be reviewed
- Spreading redness more than 1 cm from the wound edges
- Increasing pain after day 3
- Heat radiating from the wound
- Pus — thick, yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge
- Fever above 38°C
- Red streaks tracking up the limb from the wound (lymphangitis)
- The wound starts to gape or the edges separate
Day 7 — when to come back for review
For most wounds we'll have arranged a return visit around day 7–10 for suture removal. Bring the post-procedure card we gave you on the night, or just walk in. Suture removal usually takes less than 5 minutes and is much less painful than people expect.
If your stitches were absorbable, you don't need them removed — they'll dissolve over 4–6 weeks. But you should still come back for review at day 7 to check the healing.
Removal day — what to expect
- The doctor or nurse cleans the wound with antiseptic.
- Each suture is gently lifted with fine forceps and snipped with small scissors.
- The suture is pulled out from the long side, towards the wound. You'll feel a tiny pull each time.
- The wound is dried, and Steri-Strips are usually applied for an extra few days of support.
The whole process is genuinely painless for most patients. Children sometimes find it stressful in anticipation, but the reality is much less than they expect.
Scar care for the next six months
Once the stitches are out, the scar is at about 20% of its eventual strength. Full strength returns over 12 months. To minimise the visible scar:
- Sun protection is the single most important factor. Cover with clothing or SPF 50+ for at least 6 months — UV exposure on a fresh scar causes hyperpigmentation.
- Silicone gel or sheets from week 2 onwards can soften scars and reduce hypertrophy. They're not magic, but they help.
- Massage the scar gently for 1–2 minutes a day from week 2 — circular motions, firm but not painful.
- Avoid stretching the wound (no heavy lifting, no extreme range of movement) for the first 2 weeks.
Removable Steri-Strips
If your wound was closed with Steri-Strips or tissue glue rather than sutures, leave them alone — they'll fall off on their own within 5–10 days. Don't peel them. If they catch on clothes, trim the loose edge with clean scissors.