What do infected sutures look like

The wound needs time to heal and moisture will slow this down. After the first 24 hours you can wet the wound for a short time, for example in the shower. Pat the wound dry immediately after it gets wet. Do not soak the wound or swim until the sutures have been removed. Only use creams or ointments emollients recommended by your doctor.

If you sutures are also dressed with bandages, follow the care instructions given by your doctor. Keep the wound clean Keep your wound clean and dirt free. Avoid any activities that may put strain on the area that has been sutured. This could lead to sutures coming apart. The healing process Do not pick covering dressings. Do not pick scabs. They will fall off once the wound is healed or when the sutures are removed. A slight ooze may occur when the suturing is removed.

This is normal. It is normal for the scar to be red in colour initially, but this will fade over the next few months. Signs of infection A wound may become infected. Signs of infection are: fever within 48 hours of suturing redness swelling increased pain excessive or persistent ooze pus or smelly discharge.

Removal of sutures If sutures fall out before their removal date see your doctor. Your GP may be able to remove the sutures. In some cases, disposable sutures are used. These stiches will dissolve and break down themselves. These will not need to be removed by a doctor. These have no evidence of infection at the time of surgery, but do involve operating on an internal organ. Contaminated wounds.

These involve operating on an internal organ with a spilling of contents from the organ into the wound. If you are having surgery, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk for a surgical site infection. It's important to stop smoking before surgery and to tell your surgical team about your medical history, especially if you have diabetes or another chronic illness. Also, avoid shaving in the skin area that the surgeon is planning to operate through. No matter how curious they are, loved ones should not touch your wound or surgical site.

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about wound care after surgery. Call your doctor if you develop a fever or pus, redness, heat, pain or tenderness near the wound or any other signs or symptoms of a surgical site infection.

Most SSIs can be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes additional surgery or procedures may be required to treat the SSI. During recovery, make sure that friends and family members wash their hands before and after they enter your room. Make sure doctors, nurses, and other caregivers wash their hands, too. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Types of surgical site infections An SSI typically occurs within 30 days after surgery. Signs and symptoms of surgical site infections Any SSI may cause redness, delayed healing, fever, pain, tenderness, warmth, or swelling.

Causes and risk factors of surgical site infections Infections after surgery are caused by germs. Common types of bacteria that can infect wounds include Streptococcus , Staphylococcus , and Pseudomonas species.

There are some additional factors that can put you at risk for developing infected stitches. For example, if:. Without treatment, an infection of your stitches can spread to other parts of your skin or body and cause complications such as abscess formation, cellulitis , or even sepsis.

Your doctor may take a sample of discharge from your infected stitches. They can use this sample to help identify if bacteria are causing your infection. Once a bacterial infection is confirmed, your doctor can then perform antibiotic susceptibility testing to determine which antibiotics will be most effective for treating the infection. If your infection is small or localized, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream to apply to the site.

If the infection is more serious or affects a larger area, your doctor can prescribe an oral antibiotic. A very severe infection may require intravenous IV antibiotics or surgical removal of any dead or dying tissue. You should avoid getting your stitches wet for at least 24 hours. Ask your doctor when you can get them wet, such as in the shower. If your doctor has placed a bandage or dressing on your stitches, be sure to follow their instructions about when to remove it.

Use soap and warm water to gently clean the stitches, patting dry with a clean towel. If you must touch your stitches, make sure that your hands are clean beforehand. You naturally have bacteria living on your skin and under your fingernails.

Itching, scratching, or picking at your stitches can lead to infection. Exercise and contact sports can place strain on your stitches, causing them to tear. Ask your doctor when you can return to your normal physical activities.