How to Give Yourself Stitches
For those who have cut themselves deeply enough to warrant stitches, but not deeply enough to run to the hospital to get them, this article may just be the ticket for you. Read on to find out how to give yourself stitches.
Things You'll Need
- Tiny needle
- Sewing thread
- Rubbing alcohol
- Candle with flame
- Bucket of ice
- Scissors
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Set up your work station. Get situated in a nice place with a table and chair. Set a burning candle on the table, along with a bowl of rubbing alcohol. Set the thread in the rubbing alcohol and let it soak. Place the needle on the table next to the candle.
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2
Place the bucket of ice beside you and apply the ice to whatever part of your body you plan on stitching up. If it is your hand, simply place your hand in the bucket of ice and soak it. Apply ice until that part of your body is numb. Do NOT drink alcohol in an attempt to numb your pain. You will need all your focus when stitching yourself up.
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3
Run the needle through the flame of the candle a few times just before you begin sewing together your wound. (This is meant to sanitize it.) Poke the end of the rubbing alcohol-soaked thread through the eye of the sanitized needle. You're ready to begin stitching!
Stitching
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4
Tie a knot at the end of your thread. If you have ever sewn together two pieces of fabric with a needle and thread, you can sew together a wound.
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5
Poke the needle through one piece of the skin very near to the cut (about 3 mm down from the cut). Pull the thread through until it is stopped by the knot.
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6
Poke the needle through the other piece of skin on the other side of the cut, and directly across from the other needle hole (you remembered to get it numb, right?). Pull the slack of the thread through and tighten (firmly, but don't kill yourself), pushing the skin together at the same time. Make sure the thread is even and goes straight across from one side of the wound to the other, as opposed to jagged or crooked.
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7
Bring the needle across the cut and crossover the wound with the thread. Poke the needle through the skin about 3 mm below the cut again, and also 3 mm down from the first stitch. Pull the slack through again and continue until you are done stitching.
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8
Tie a knot at the end of the thread and make it as tight and close as you can to the last stitch so that it keeps the stitching together. Cut the remainder of the thread just above that knot.
Taking the Stitching Out
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9
Remove the stitches. When the wound has healed together and you feel it is the right time to take out the stitching, cut the thread just below both of the knots.
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10
Cut each of the cross stitchings in half.
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11
Pull the thread carefully out of the holes in the skin. Way to go! You gave yourself stitches! You are done and back to your normal self.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Make sure your hands are clean.
Anything, and everything, stated in this article is not intended to be taken as professional medical advice or approved by the medical society. However, the article's contents are sound advice and tried and true tips to use when giving yourself stitches. Use this article's steps at your own risk.
