How to Remove Sutures from Wounds

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While you are often advised to visit your doctor or medical facility to have your sutures removed, sometimes this is not necessary. If the expected healing time has passed and the wound seems to have closed completely, you can remove the sutures yourself at home with just tweezers and scissors!

Table of Contents

Prepare

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Make sure that the withdrawal is only safe. In some cases, you should not withdraw the thread yourself at all. If the sutures are sutured after surgery or the expected healing time has not been reached (usually 10-14 days), self-removal of the thread may increase the risk of infection and prevent healing. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Remember that if you go to your doctor to have your sutures removed, the area will usually be covered with an adhesive bandage to aid in the healing process. If you withdraw at home, you may not get the care you need.
If you want to be sure, call your doctor. Your doctor will tell you if it is safe for you to withdraw on your own.
Do not remove the suture if the wound appears to be reddening or more painful. In this case you should see a doctor because you may have an infection.
In many cases, you can have your stitches removed without going through a regular appointment; You just need to go to the clinic and get a quick withdrawal. You should call your doctor to ask about this.

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Select the tool for thread trimming. Use sharp surgical scissors if available. Sharp nail clippers or nail clippers can also be used. Avoid using any tool with a dull blade, nor do you use a knife – knives are easy to slip.

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Disinfect tweezers and cutting tools. Drop the tool in boiling water for a few minutes, place it on a paper towel and let it dry completely, then use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol and rub it over the tool. This step is to make sure you don’t get bacteria from the instrument.

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Find some other medical supplies. There are a few other items you should also have on hand. Have sterile dressings and antibiotic ointment on hand in case you have to deal with the bleeding. Usually these don’t need to be used because the wound has completely healed, but it’s best to be prepared for peace of mind.

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Wash and disinfect the suture site. Use soapy water to wash and dry with a clean towel. Use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol to thoroughly clean around the stitches. Make sure the skin area is completely dry before removing the thread.

Withdrawal of sutures

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Sit where there is enough light. You need to be able to see each stitch clearly to be able to do this well. Do not try to remove the thread in a dark place, or you may hurt yourself.

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Lift the first knot. Using tweezers gently lift the knot of the first stitch up slightly.

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Cut sewing thread. Hold the knot high, hold the scissors with the other hand, and press the stitch right next to the knot. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Withdraw the thread through the skin. Using tweezers continue to hold the knot and gently pull the thread away from the skin. You will feel a little bit irritated but not painful.

If the skin starts to bleed when the suture is removed, it means that the suture cannot be removed. Stop what you are doing and go to the doctor to remove the remaining thread.
Be careful not to pull the knot through the skin. The knots can become entangled in the skin and cause bleeding.

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Continue to remove the thread. Use tweezers to lift the knots and cut. Withdraw and discard. Continue until the last stitch has been removed.

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Sponge. Make sure nothing is left around the wound. If desired, you can apply a sterile gauze to the newly removed skin and allow the wound to heal.

Handling after thread removal

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See a doctor if something goes wrong. If the wound reopens, you will need additional stitches. It is important that you see your doctor as soon as this happens. If you just bandage the wound and let it heal on its own, it won’t be enough.

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Protect the wound from re-injury. The skin’s recovery rate is inherently slow – when the thread is first removed, the skin’s strength is only 10% of normal. The newly removed part should not move much.

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Protect the wound from UV rays. Ultraviolet rays can damage even healthy tissues. You should use sunscreen if the wound is exposed to the sun or when using a tanning bed.

Advice

Leave the sutures in place for the length of time your doctor recommends.
Keep the wound clean.
Use surgical scissors instead of regular scissors. This tool has a sharper and thinner blade, so there is less tension on the wound during thread trimming.

Warning

Sutures should not be removed on their own after major surgery. This article only applies to small stitches.
Do not attempt to remove surgical staples at home. The doctor will have to use special tools to remove the pins; home remedies can cause you more injury and pain.
Do not get sutures wet if recommended by your doctor and do not wash with soap.

Things you need

Surgical scissors or nail clippers
Surgical forceps or tweezers (sterile)
Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol
Magnifying glass, preferably one with a light
Antibiotic ointment
Sterile bandages

Steps