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- Symptoms After Receiving Sutures And Staples
- What Causes A Need For Sutures And Staples?
- Why Is Suture And Staple Removal Important?
- How Can I Promote Healing After Suture And Staple Removal?
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Read MoreWhen recovering from surgery, injuries, or minor cuts, proper wound care is essential to ensure complete healing. A critical step in this process is suture and staple removal, a standard procedure that helps your body heal fully and reduces the risk of complications such as infection or scarring.
What Are Sutures and Staples?
Sutures and surgical staples are tools used to close wounds or incisions after surgery or injury. Surgical staples are small metal clips applied with a special stapler to quickly close the skin, commonly used in larger incisions or on the scalp.
Sutures, also called stitches, are threads that hold the skin edges together while the wound heals. They can be made of absorbable materials that dissolve over time or nonabsorbable materials that require removal.
How Are Sutures and Staples Removed?
The removal process depends on the wound’s location, size, and rate of healing. During a follow-up visit, your healthcare provider will carefully assess the wound to decide the best time for removing sutures or staples.
To remove staples, a special tool is used to gently lift and pull each staple out without damaging the skin. For sutures, the provider will use fine scissors or a small blade to cut the stitch and gently pull it out; absorbable sutures dissolve naturally and do not require removal.
Symptoms After Receiving Sutures and Staples
In the days following surgery or injury, it’s normal to experience:
- Mild pain
- Slight redness
- Swelling around the incision or wound site
- Mild inflammation
However, if you notice increasing redness, warmth, pus, or excessive swelling, these may be signs of infection or other complications that require prompt medical attention.
What Causes a Need For Sutures and Staples?
Patients typically require sutures or staples for injuries such as:
- Deep cuts or scrapes
- Minor cuts that cannot close properly on their own
- After surgery
You might need sutures if your cut is deep, longer than half an inch, or the wound edges won’t stay closed on their own. When unsure, it’s best to have a healthcare professional evaluate the injury.
Why Is Suture and Staple Removal Important?
Leaving remaining staples or stitches in place longer than intended can lead to skin irritation, increased pain, swelling, and sometimes scarring. Timely staple removal and suture removal are critical to avoid these risks and allow your skin to heal naturally. Proper removal also decreases the chance of infection and ensures the wound progresses toward complete healing.
How Can I Promote Healing After Suture and Staple Removal?
Once your sutures or staples are removed, follow your medical provider’s advice to care for the wound properly. Keep the area clean and dry, and apply petroleum jelly or any prescribed ointment to keep the skin moist and prevent the formation of a hard scab that can slow healing. Avoid picking at the healing skin or putting unnecessary strain on the wound edges.
Who to Trust with Treatment
At InMotion Health, our dedicated team provides comprehensive wound care services, including suture and staple removal, all performed safely in the comfort of your home. Whether you’ve recently undergone surgery or are healing from an injury, contact InMotion Health’s expert staff to support your recovery with personalized care.
When in Doubt
If you or someone else is experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms and you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. It’s always safer to seek immediate care rather than delay treatment.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended to support your care by providing general education and information, but it should not replace guidance from a licensed medical professional. We recommend consulting with one of our trained clinicians—either virtually or through our in-home services—for an accurate evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Meet Your In-Home Expert
Carly Oliveri, PA-C
Lead Provider & Founder
Carly Oliveri is a board-certified Physician Assistant with extensive experience in emergency medicine and urgent care. She earned her undergraduate degree in Health Science from the University of Florida and completed her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at the Pace University Lenox Hill Hospital Physician Assistant Program in Manhattan, New York.
Absolutely amazing service! InMotion Health made getting care so easy and convenient. The provider was professional, compassionate, and thorough. Highly recommend for anyone looking for top-notch care at home or virtually!
- Easy and Convenient
I was visiting from out of town and needed urgent care — InMotion Health was amazing! The provider came right to my hotel, handled everything on the spot, and made the process so easy. Professional, friendly, and convenient. Highly recommend for travelers!
- Professional, friendly, and convenient
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