Question 1

2 lower jaw dry sockets. 1 was packed & repacked & the other was packed once. dds took out dressing & stitches. when can i drink through straw?

Accepted Answer

24 to 48 hours: The idea for not spitting and not drinking from a straw is basically for the first 24  to 48 hours after the extraction. At that point the blood cloth is formed and it's not a crucial factor anymore.

Question 2

wet dressing over stitches when showering. what to do?

Accepted Answer

Change bandage: Remove the bandage over the stitches, before showering, if you have been cleared to wash the surgical site by your surgeon. If the wound is not allowed to get wet yet, then do a sponge bath or try to cover the area with plastic wrap to keep it dry first. Do not keep a wet bandage on a healing wound.

Question 3

wet dressing over stitches or regular dry bandaid; which is better?

Accepted Answer

Ointment: Apply some ointment (does not necessarily need to be antibiotic ointment) and cover.  You don't want it to actually be wet with water.

Question 4

wet dressing ok over stitches?

Accepted Answer

Generally no: Keep dressings over healing wounds dry. If the bandage gets wet, change it. You can apply something like neosporin lightly over the wound for added protection.

Question 5

had an infected sebaceous cyst removed 2 wks ago. no stitches; daily dressings. has been healing well. suddenly, i notice redness around the wound. ?

Accepted Answer

See the doc : That removed the cyst as it sounds like it is becoming infected

Question 6

how can i tell when my stitches are ready to be removed? they said 10 days but there is still some scabbing and blood when i change the dressing.

Accepted Answer

Your surgeon can say: Stitches bring together the skin so that the wound can heal without a wide open scar. How long they stay depends on the type of suture material and if the wound appears sealed. The scabbing and blood are not really as important in determining the length of time.

Question 7

can i put germolene on my dissolvable stitches after 2-3 weeks have passed to make the healing faster? i have no dressing or plasters on it? but i think the stitches are still there?

Accepted Answer

: It should not have any effect on the stitches if they are still there which I doubt.

Question 8

i had stitches under kneecap doctor wasn't clear as to how long to keep dressing on or if i needed to leave uncovered stitches were done october 23?

Accepted Answer

See below: You can't go wrong keeping a dressing on it and changing it daily, also would want to avoid kneeling on it or maximally flexing your knee.  Stitches like you are describing typically come out about 10-14 days.  Call your doctor for the specifics in your case.

Question 9

deep cut on the palm of my left hand required a single stitch, about 2-3 inches in length.. how long to leave original dressing on before removal, air out, and re-dressing?

Accepted Answer

: If there is minimal bleeding on the bandage, you can gently remove it in about 24 hours. You can add an antibacterial ointment and re-dress it-this can be done daily until the stitches are removed. The goal is to keep it clean and dry to avoid getting an infection. If it looks more red, more swollen or there is pus, then see a doctor right away. Feel better soon! Good luck!

Question 10

broke/crushed tip of finger 1 wk ago-er doc stitched & told me to change dressing in 24 hrs-was afraid to now it's stuck? stitches due out in a wk.

Accepted Answer

Moisten: You may want to use warm water to moisten the wound so that you can gently remove the dressing. Let it dry and then apply a new dressing/ bandaid. It is important to change the dressing daily to monitor for possible complications and timely healing.

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Doctor answers about:

Dressing stitches

A member asked:

2 lower jaw dry sockets. 1 was packed & repacked & the other was packed once. dds took out dressing & stitches. when can i drink through straw?

A member asked:

Wet dressing over stitches when showering. what to do?

A member asked:

Wet dressing over stitches or regular dry bandaid; which is better?

A member asked:

Wet dressing ok over stitches?

A member asked:

Had an infected sebaceous cyst removed 2 wks ago. no stitches; daily dressings. has been healing well. suddenly, i notice redness around the wound. ?

A member asked:

How can i tell when my stitches are ready to be removed? they said 10 days but there is still some scabbing and blood when i change the dressing.

A member asked:

Can i put germolene on my dissolvable stitches after 2-3 weeks have passed to make the healing faster? i have no dressing or plasters on it? but i think the stitches are still there?

A member asked:

I had stitches under kneecap doctor wasn't clear as to how long to keep dressing on or if i needed to leave uncovered stitches were done october 23?

A member asked:

Deep cut on the palm of my left hand required a single stitch, about 2-3 inches in length.. how long to leave original dressing on before removal, air out, and re-dressing?

A member asked:

Broke/crushed tip of finger 1 wk ago-er doc stitched & told me to change dressing in 24 hrs-was afraid to now it's stuck? stitches due out in a wk.

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