Got 3 stitches topside of first finger between hand and first knuckle. I am going away to remote parts and would love a nurses opinion on how best to remove them myself. i know about keeping equipment sterile so mainly looking for technique hints .
p.s. not allowed any sedatives or even beer! so be kind ;)
Thanks.
2007-03-20 09:22:40 · 21 answers · asked by dogstarhaze 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
It is a painless procedure to slip either a knife or sharp scissors under the stitch, cut through it and then pull the stitch out. It does not involve breaking the skin, so the procedure can be 'clean' rather than sterile.
2007-03-20 12:32:54 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Understand that my first thought is to say go see a doctor. *sigh* But, if you must, cut each stitch right beside the knot using the very tip if a sharp pair of scissors. Use tweezers to pull gently on the knot to pull the stitch out. (the cut end will pull under the skin and out the other hole). Clean the wound thouroughly. Put Neosporin ointment on the wound and all over the stitch holes. Cover the whole mess with cotton gauze and secure it with tape. Find someone who has some Keflex or other antibiotic and take three a day for 10 days. Change the dressing every day for a week. Pray you don't get infected. Good luck.
2016-03-18 05:22:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nylon Stitches
2016-10-17 22:02:58 · answer #3 · answered by belsky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really would be best if you can get a nurse to remove as the wound should be assessed for healing and signs of possible infection. Plus, sutures should be removed in such a way that the stitch above the skin should not be dragged beneath the skin due to the risk of contamination.
Sutures are usually left in for 7-10 days and if you really cannot see a nurse just before you go on your trip, you will have to play nurse!!!
Basically wash hands, use a sterile blade or scissors to snip beneath the suture. You may need to use tweezors to pull out the stitch. Be sure to remove ALL of the suture.
Observe for signs of infection....swelling, heat, redness, pain, nasty gunge coming out. Good luck!
2007-03-20 09:49:51 · answer #4 · answered by Jo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can, you should get somebody who knows what he's doing to remove the sutures. If you have no other alternative, the sutures form a loop (try to imagine in cross-section), so you need only to clip on either side of the knot to remove them, but it's best to clip as close to the skin as possible so as not to track the portion that's been open to the world through the wound channel when you pull through. If they're simple sutures, they'll pull through easily enough. If they're mattress sutures or some such, the technique and level of difficulty will be altered.
2007-03-20 09:34:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First off....DON'T use a razor blade. You'll just cut yourself.
Take hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and pour over the area prior to removing the stitches. Wait for it to dry if you use alcohol and wait for it to stop foaming if you use peroxide. Then use a pair of tweezers (sterilized) to grab the knot on the top of the stitch and pull it upwards till you have a small gap in the stitch. then use the very small curved fingernail type scissors (steilized) to snip the stitch below the knot , you can then just pull on the tweezer end and the stitch will come out.
2007-03-20 09:34:40 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I use a fingernail clipper. If you have a pointy scissors that will work as well. I will be basicly healed up by the time the stitches come out so sanitation is less of a concern. by the way pull the stitch out on the knot side. It hurts pulling the knot through the skin
2007-03-20 09:31:53 · answer #7 · answered by wewally 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Can't you go to your practise nurse and explain the situation, if they have been in long enough then she may be able to remove the stitches and apply steri- strips[butterfly stitches] instead, These can come off by in about four or five days.
failing that get a scalpel and sterilise it and gently ;loosen and cut the knot, the stitches should then be easy to pull out, do it very gently though and don't force them out
2007-03-20 09:29:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had 5 stitches on my thumb a few years ago and removed the stitches myself.
Put petroleum jelly on your stitches to moisten the skin back up. Leave it for a good 20 minutes to an hour ( depending on how dry your skin and stitches are )
Wash this off with a god anit-bacterial soap.
Snip the knot off the end of the stitches and gently use tweezers to un-stitch them one at a time. They loop over the skin and once you figure out which way they loop you can pull them one loop at a time with no problems.
I tried this without first moistening up my skin an all it did was make me sore and left me bleeding.
2007-03-20 09:33:10 · answer #9 · answered by bootsjeansnpearls 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
beer or sedative!! i take stitches out of hands all the time, you shouldn't evn feel it. as someone above said just cut to the side of the knot, grab the knot with some tweezers (or your teeth) and pull. won't feel a thing. remember to wait 10-14 days after they were put it though
2007-03-20 23:13:44 · answer #10 · answered by Graeme T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋