Daily change of dressing. A bandage is required to protect the suture from damage and reduce the risk of infection of the wound. Change the bandage daily after washing your hands with soap. Do not touch the inside of the bandage, it must remain clean, and even more so do not touch the wound itself with your fingers. Do not forget to treat the wound with antiseptic. The healing time of the suture is individual for each patient, but usually a bandage is not required after a week.
No water treatments. It is forbidden to take a bath or shower in the first week after surgery. This is due to the fact that wetting the wound can soften it, provoking a reopening. After this period, the patient can take a shower with caution, avoiding the use of soap or other body care products. After the shower, do not forget to treat the seam with an antiseptic.
Wound treatment. As previously mentioned, the postoperative wound should avoid any infections, and therefore the condition of the suture should be monitored, especially in the first week. Clean the skin around the wound by blotting it with a gauze swab or a soft cloth soaked in soap or saline solution. In any case, do not rub the skin, do not put your fingers into an open wound and do not wet the incision. You can also use antiseptic agents (chlorhexidine, miramistin, etc.) to treat the wound. But do not use antibacterial soap, zelenka, iodine or peroxide, as well as ointments that will soak the skin, making it difficult for the suture to heal.
Removal of seams. Most often, self-absorbable threads are used when suturing, which, as the name implies, gradually dissolve themselves and do not require removal. Other types of stitches are removed only by a doctor. You should not try to remove the seams yourself. The time for removing stitches depends on the complexity of the operation, the location of the wound, the presence of complications, etc., so listen to your doctor, who will choose the best time.
Restriction of physical activity. Refrain from lifting weights and some exercises and sports for a month to reduce the risk of wound divergence. Also avoid movements that affect the area around the wound.
Remember that the healing process of the wound, as well as the final appearance of the scar, depends on many factors, including the initial incision, general health and how well the suture was cared for.