How to Remove Stitches
Scared to remove stitches after a surgery? You can remove your own stitches at the appropriate time in a reasonably painless way. The following steps will guide you through the process of removing stitches once the wound is healed.
Instructions
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1
Buy a suture-removal kit that includes gloves, antiseptic cream or lotion and tweezers.
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2
Wash your hands well and put on the gloves.
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3
Examine the wound and verify that it has healed properly.
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4
Ensure that there is no infection in the surrounding area of the wound.
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5
Clean the area with an antiseptic cream or lotion. This will remove any dried blood and soften the tissue around the wound.
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6
Lift the thread up at the knot with the tweezers.
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7
Take the suture scissors in your other hand. Gently cut through the thread close to the skin. Make sure not to pull or overstretch the skin.
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Continue to lift the stitch up with the tweezers. Pull the thread through smoothly and remove it.
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9
Remove the other stitches in the same way. You can remove each thread successively or remove alternative stitches.
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10
Swab the area gently with antiseptic when done.
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Cover the area with adhesive bandages or gauze.
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12
If any complications develop, contact your doctor or surgeon.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask your surgeon if all stitches need to be removed at one time or if the process can be stretched out.
