Getting stitches removed!

[echoskybound]

Hey all, this is totally unrelated, but the responses on this forum are always speedy, so I figured it's worth posting ;]

I have some stitches on my finger that need to be removed in the next day or two, but I'm super nervous because getting them in HURT. The doctor didn't numb it properly to put them in and it was excruciating! They were my first stitches ever, and this isn't the first bad medical experience I've had in the past year, I'm very nervous and don't totally trust doctors much anymore.

I need some reassurance that it won't hurt! Has anybody removed stitches by themselves at home?

 

[Sabbath]

It is not to hard to get your own stitches out and it won't hurt exactly just twinge(I mean come on, your putting a string out , you could try getting some gum number it helps)

So basically how to do it, get a good pair of surgical scissors(big one work just a bit harder, surgical scissors can be bought at any pharmacy), tweezer, and some alchohol(the cleaning kind ^_^).

Cut the suture(as close to the knot as possible)
Pull the string out(knot first!)

Clean and bandage and your good to go. This is for minor stitches though and only if you know the wound is healed up fully. Otherwise you may be risking reopening the wound and restarting the process.

 

[echoskybound]

Thanks for the advice! I can't tell if the wound is fully healed, but the hospital told me to get them out in a week, and it's been a week (even though a lot of websites I've seen suggest that stitches in the hands stay in for 10-14 days.) I'm very tempted to do it myself, it doesn't sound uncommon.

 

[Sabbath]

When I got stitches in my finger and took them out. To decide when it was healed I just took my thumb and index finger and slightly squeezed, if it hurt then it not ready, if it didn't then I was good.
Also, it's on your finger so it should be somewhat visible on the degree of healing !

It up to you really, just be ready with something to disinfect and a band-aid.

 

[Abzeez]

When I had a c-section I had those stitches that were suppose to dissolve. Some of them didn't, so I took them out. It was more of a tickle type of feeling.

 

[Rio Mom]

I have had a lot of surgeries, and have had sutures removed. Don't worry, removing them doesn't hurt.

 

[echoskybound]

Thanks all! I appreciate the support, I was really nervous about it because getting them in was very painful. Got all of them removed!

 

[Sabbath]

Yourself or by a doctor?