I Removed My Stitches Prematurely and the Wound Isn't Healing
I recently found myself in a bit of a situation. At 22 years old, I had an accident with a plate that resulted in a cut requiring stitches. On the same day, I received stitches, and the nurse instructed me to visit a walk-in clinic for removal after a week. After waiting for eight days, I decided to take matters into my own hands and remove them myself, as I wasn’t inclined to make the trip to the clinic. Surprisingly, the process was painless, but I soon realized that my wound hadn’t closed up. Even during the week I had the stitches in, I observed that it wasn’t healing well. I kept a bandage on it at all times, changing it frequently just to be safe. I can’t quite wrap my head around why it hasn’t healed; perhaps I should have left the stitches in for a longer period? In April, a similar accident occurred with my pinky finger. That time, I didn’t get stitches and just placed a bandage on it. A week later, that cut had healed completely. So what is different this time? Is there a specific reason for the delay in healing, or did I simply rush the process and make a mistake?
Answers (1)
8/6/2025, 2:40:56 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with a frustrating situation regarding your wound and its healing process. Removing stitches prematurely can impact how well a wound heals, and there are several factors to consider in your case.
Key Points:
- Healing can be delayed for multiple reasons, including premature stitch removal, infection, and individual healing response.
- Not all wounds heal at the same rate; the location and nature of the injury can also affect healing times.
Explanation:
When stitches are removed before a wound has fully healed, the tissue may not have sufficient support to close properly, leading to a higher risk of delayed healing or reopening. It's also possible that the wound was at risk for infection, which can hinder the healing process. While in some cases, like your pinky, you may have had a minor cut that healed easily, other factors—such as the depth, location, or even how the wound was treated—can significantly impact healing time.
Next Steps:
-
Keep the Wound Clean: Clean the wound gently with mild soap and water. After cleaning, pat it dry and apply a sterile bandage.
-
Monitor for Signs of Infection: Look for increased redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge that is yellow or green. If any of these signs develop, it may indicate an infection.
-
Avoid Irritation: Ensure that the area is protected from further injury or irritation. Avoid tight clothing or aggressive movement that may stress the wound.
-
Use a Healing Ointment: Consider applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin) to promote healing and prevent infection, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.
-
Patience and Observation: Allow time for the wound to heal. Expect improvements over several days to weeks. If there’s no improvement within a week, or if it worsens or shows signs of infection, it may be necessary to seek medical attention.
-
Keep Track of Changes: Note how the wound looks day by day. This will help you see if it is healing or if further action is needed.
Healing times can vary widely, and it’s important to give it the attention it needs. You're doing your best with the situation, and taking these steps should help support the healing process. If you have further concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out.
Related Questions
Persistent High White Blood Cell Count: What Could It Mean?
As a 33-year-old male who recently battled COVID-19, I’m currently dealing with some health concerns. It's been three weeks since my diagnosis, and during that time, my doctor initiated a course of antibiotics to treat a secondary infection of bacterial pharyngitis. Today marks the tenth day of my antibiotic therapy. Although I haven’t experienced any fever and my sore throat has almost resolved, I’m concerned about my persistently elevated white blood cell (WBC) count. Could this be a typical response even after such an extensive course of antibiotics? I can’t help but worry about the possibility of a blood disorder. To provide more context, my lab results indicate: - WBC: 9.88 x 10^3/uL - Neutrophils: 61.4% - Lymphocytes: 29.1% - Monocytes: 6.0% - Eosinophils: 2.4% - Basophils: 1.1% - RBC: 5.57 x 10^6/uL - Hemoglobin: 168 g/L - Platelets: 380 x 10^3/uL - PDW: 8.8 fL Given this information, I would appreciate any insights into why the WBC count remains high and whether this is something I should be alarmed about.
Understanding Chest X-rays and Finger Clubbing
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out to discuss a few health concerns regarding my father, who is 60 years old and stands at 5’8". He has a history of smoking about ten cigarettes daily. Notably, he hasn’t experienced any issues with his appetite, although he does notice a production of phlegm each morning—thankfully, there’s no blood mixed in. A couple of days ago, he visited his doctor and returned home with a referral to the hospital for a chest X-ray. The doctor mentioned that he doesn’t need to go right away, just within a 30-day period from the date indicated on the letter. This has me wondering: is there a specific reason for this delay? If there was a serious concern, wouldn't the doctor have referred him for an immediate X-ray? Additionally, his recent blood tests came back normal, which is somewhat reassuring. I would appreciate any insights or advice you can provide. Thank you!
Identifying Seizures vs. Sleep Paralysis
I am a 24-year-old male, standing at 183 cm and weighing 73 kg. For the last four days, I have been suffering from a constant sensation of pressure in my head, accompanied by severe cognitive fog. This discomfort starts at the base of my skull and spreads to my temples, intensifying when I engage in cognitive tasks such as studying or solving problems. Earlier today, just a few hours before I woke up, I experienced a strange episode. I began to see vivid hallucinations, my body became rigid, and my right hand involuntarily twitched. This episode lasted between thirty seconds to a minute before I regained full awareness. Although I was conscious throughout the occurrence, I was unable to communicate, yet I can clearly recall the details of what I witnessed upon waking. Could this be a serious health issue? For the past few nights, I've found it incredibly difficult to sleep, as my mind continuously races with the thought that I might have a brain tumor.
Understanding Petechiae: Am I Overreacting?
Demographics: - Age: 25 - Gender: Female - Height: 5'6" - Weight: 220 lbs - Ethnicity: White British Navigating Health Concerns: Hello everyone, I have struggled with health anxiety for a while now, but I’m currently experiencing some symptoms that I find hard to overlook. Instead of falling down the fear-driven path of online searches, I’m hoping for some insights from this community. Over the past six months, I’ve become aware that scratching my skin tends to bring out tiny petechiae spots. Recently, I dealt with a mosquito bite that was particularly bothersome. After scratching it, the area not only turned into a bruise but also developed petechiae, which faded within a few days. Just this past Sunday, I got sunburned on my chest. I woke up today with an itch, and after a brief scratch, I noticed petechiae appearing once again. As for my health history, I’ve suffered from cold-like symptoms on multiple occasions—specifically in August, October, December of last year, and March of this year. I had to take antibiotics in December due to these recurring issues. Last month, I also experienced a bee sting on my lower leg that got infected, requiring antibiotic treatment as well. I’d greatly appreciate anyone’s thoughts on my situation. Should I be concerned about these symptoms, or are they normal? I’ve already scheduled a doctor’s appointment, yet I find myself overthinking the possibilities. Additionally, I had a rash on my legs last week after being in the sun, which resembled polymorphic light eruption.
Understanding Recovery After TBI and Concussion
Hello everyone! I'm a 5'11" individual weighing approximately 230 pounds. Back in May 2025, I sustained a significant injury that resulted in a skull fracture and a concussion. As I work through my recovery journey, I find myself particularly concerned about an ongoing issue: since this injury, I have lost my sense of smell, and my ability to taste has been significantly impaired—likely due to the loss of smell affecting how I perceive flavors in food. Unfortunately, my medical team has been unable to provide concrete answers regarding the duration of these symptoms or the potential impacts of scar tissue in my brain. My injury occurred just before I turned 18, and my treatment has been managed at Texas Children’s Hospital. The staff there mentioned they have limited experience treating older patients, which adds to my uncertainty. I’m reaching out to see if anyone can share insights about the implications of frontal lobe scar tissue on cognitive functions or memory. Additionally, I'd like to know if there’s any likelihood that my sense of smell will return, or if it may remain permanently affected. Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!