Caring for Stitched Wounds
I’m uncertain if this is the appropriate forum for my inquiries, so please provide guidance. Recently, I (age 24) underwent a biopsy on a spot located on my nose, and I now have stitches. For the past four days, I’ve been applying a circular bandage to the area, altering it nearly every day. However, I’m now questioning whether it would be acceptable to remove the bandage until my stitches are scheduled to come out in three days. I was advised to apply Stratamed a few times daily to maintain moisture at the site, and that’s my intention moving forward. Thus, my questions are: Is it preferable to keep the wound covered with a bandage, or is it safe to expose it to the air? Furthermore, should I be incorporating an antiseptic like Betadine along with the Stratamed?
Answers (1)
12/17/2025, 12:20:33 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you're reaching out for guidance on caring for your stitched wound. Managing your healing process effectively is essential for minimizing the risk of infection and ensuring proper recovery.
Main Points:
- Keeping the Wound Protected: It's generally best to keep the stitches covered to prevent irritation and infection.
- Moisture and Healing: Continue using Stratamed as directed, which helps maintain a moist environment conducive to healing.
- Antiseptics: Adding antiseptics like Betadine may not be necessary and can sometimes irritate the wound.
Explanation:
Stitches are designed to hold the skin together while it heals. Keeping the area covered with a bandage helps protect it from dirt and bacteria, reducing the possibility of infection. Since you've been advised to use Stratamed, continuing this will support moisture retention, which is beneficial for healing.
It's also important to allow the wound to breathe occasionally, but this should be done carefully and not expose it to potential irritants. If the bandage is causing discomfort or if you find it keeps getting wet or dirty, you could switch to a less adhesive covering or leave it without a bandage for short periods of time, ensuring to monitor the site closely for signs of irritation or infection.
Next Steps:
- Leave the Wound Covered: Continue to cover the wound with a bandage for the next three days until your stitches are to be removed, especially when you're outdoors or exposed to potential irritants.
- Use Stratamed: Apply Stratamed as directed to keep the area moisturized and promote healing.
- Avoid Additional Antiseptics: Do not apply Betadine unless specifically advised by your healthcare provider, as it may interfere with the healing process and irritate the skin.
- Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for any signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge. If you notice these, it's important to seek further guidance.
Please remember to follow any specific instructions given by your healthcare provider, as they're tailored to your individual situation. If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Neurological Challenges Mimicking POTS Symptoms
A 36-year-old female, weighing 265 pounds, is dealing with a complex medical history that includes conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and a splenic artery aneurysm. There is a tentative diagnosis of hypertensive Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The patient experiences significant symptoms when not on medication, including a rapid heartbeat (ranging from 117 to 150 beats per minute), dangerously high blood pressure, episodes of vision impairment, difficulty walking accompanied by stumbling and falls, tremors, memory issues, and brain fog. Currently, her medication regimen includes Pristiq, lithium, lorazepam, low-dose naltrexone for pain management, and propranolol to regulate heart rates. She takes ubrelvy when needed. In January, a recurrence of severe pain radiating from her right side led to a hospital admission where her gallbladder was surgically removed due to complications. Although the surgery was successful, she subsequently developed CRPS, further complicating her health. While working in the emergency department, she experienced a sharp tearing pain associated with her known aneurysm. Unable to manage the pain, she informed her manager of her need to leave. During her walk back to her workspace, approximately 1500 feet away, she began to stagger and lost her vision, while also experiencing heavy sweating and shortness of breath. Support from coworkers was crucial, as she lost her strength and collapsed, gasping for air and experiencing vertigo. Her heart rate was recorded at almost 150 bpm and her blood pressure at 152/120. Once lying down, her vitals stabilized but would escalate again with movement. The attending nurse suspected POTS based on her symptoms. Despite efforts to provide explanations, her overnight doctor attributed her condition to anxiety. However, subsequent doctors recognized her situation increasingly suggested POTS and put her on a heart monitor after she began falling to one side, which later confirmed episodes of tachycardia over a monitoring period of two to three days. Her first cardiology appointment revealed a drop in her blood pressure when she stood, further aligning with the POTS suspicion. An echocardiogram was scheduled for the following week, but complications arose the very next morning at work, where rising distress prompted coworkers to assist her following an apparent episode of tachycardia. Administered Ativan temporarily helped alleviate some symptoms, but as her condition worsened, she was transported to the emergency department once again. After several hours of treatment, she was discharged with little clarity regarding her condition. Currently, she takes an extended-release dose of propranolol (80 mg), but without it, her heart rate can exceed 130 bpm, accompanied by memory lapses. Episodes of sporadic vision loss persist, alongside difficulty walking that has progressed to staggering or being unable to move at all, leading to falls. These occurrences are thought to be related to syncope. Neurological evaluations are underway, with initial tests like ECG and EEG returning normal results, but an MRI suggested increased intracranial pressure, though some specialists doubt its relevance. A pain specialist indicated that her pain conditions may not directly correlate but suggested central nervous system dysfunction related to stress could be a factor, as her symptoms often intensify during anxious moments. An Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist found no abnormalities causing her symptoms, and her cardiologist is pursuing further investigation at a specialized clinic, expressing concern about her ongoing employment due to the physical and financial strain it entails. The patient’s aneurysm was treated with an embolism in September, adding another layer to her intricate medical profile, and she is seeking additional perspectives on her challenging situation.
Understanding Prolapsed Appendix in Young Adults
Hello all, I’m a 25-year-old woman who has been struggling with persistent abdominal discomfort, along with nausea and diarrhea, for more than a decade. A recent colonoscopy has diagnosed me with a prolapsed appendix, despite the fact that my colon appears unaffected. Biopsy samples were collected to investigate potential inflammation, and I am currently awaiting those results. Additionally, I have a balloon enteroscopy scheduled to examine my small intestine more closely. From my research, it seems that appendiceal prolapse or intussusception is quite uncommon in adults. I am particularly interested in understanding how rare this issue truly is, especially for someone at my age, along with the typical causes that could lead to this condition. I have a few queries: How uncommon is a prolapsed appendix in adult patients? What are the most frequent causes linked to young women like myself? Are there specific risk factors or trends that might increase the likelihood of developing this issue? I’m not seeking a personal assessment, but I would be grateful for any information from those who are familiar with the occurrence and causes of this condition.
Unusual Urges to Consume Non-Food Items
At 23 years old, I am contending with various health issues, including anemia (with an iron saturation of 6%), and I’ve read that this might be influencing my bizarre cravings. There’s more going on with my health, but delving into all of it would take quite a while. Recently, I stumbled upon a video showcasing cleaning techniques, and I experienced an intense and unexpected hunger when I witnessed the soap lathering. Despite having dinner afterward, my cravings persisted, and regular food has proven ineffective at satisfying my appetite. To provide some background, I also have bipolar II disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder. These peculiar cravings appeared following several stressful experiences in my life. In the past, I was compelled to induce vomiting due to an OCD ritual, which I believed was linked to avoiding “bad luck.” Logically, I understood that there was no connection, but at one point, I was so entangled in these thoughts that I restricted my food intake entirely, convinced that eating brought misfortune. I was also unmedicated during that challenging period. Fortunately, I managed to break those cycles a few years ago, but now I face an ongoing struggle with overwhelming hunger. I find myself in the obese category today, unlike previously, and I am actively pursuing options for gastric bypass surgery due to my incessant appetite. Although I feel confident I won’t actually consume soap, I am concerned that sharing these cravings might jeopardize my chances of qualifying for the procedure. Still, if there’s a viable solution, I’d like to discover it. These cravings don’t dominate my thoughts, yet whenever I come across soap—either in videos or in person—I get this overwhelming desire to consume it. It’s as if I believe that succumbing to this urge would somehow provide relief and satisfaction. I’ve made a conscious effort to limit my viewing of such cleaning videos but find myself tempted to order edible chalk to see if that might alleviate my unusual hunger.
Did I Experience a Seizure Upon Waking?
This morning, I had an awakening that was unlike anything I’ve felt before. As a 23-year-old man, I’m familiar with sleep paralysis, often waking up immobile; however, today was distinct. I found myself in a state that resembled paralysis but accompanied by rapid, shallow breaths, akin to hyperventilation—something I don’t typically experience, even during strenuous activities. My body was trembling, reminiscent of numbness from cold or perhaps involuntary contractions throughout. Additionally, I felt a strange pressure on my groin, coupled with discomfort in my right testicle, as if they were being retracted into my body. I don’t regularly take medication aside from using an albuterol inhaler during asthma flare-ups. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 210 pounds, I also had a particularly unsettling dream just prior to waking, which might explain my reaction (at least, I hope it does). However, I can’t shake the anxiety that this could have been a type of seizure and I’m eager for input from those who have more expertise on the subject.
Are My Symptoms Indicating an Impending Stroke?
I’m a young adult female, weighing 99 pounds and standing 5 feet 2 inches tall. I do not smoke, vape, or consume alcohol, and currently, I am undergoing tests for POTS and HEDS. For the past two weeks, I have been experiencing intermittent discomfort in the upper region of my head, particularly in the back and temples. These aren’t typical headaches, but rather sudden twinges of pain that occur sporadically throughout the day. Additionally, over this same period, I have been dealing with bouts of vertigo—probably about 4 to 5 days where it came and went. A few days back, I also encountered a tingling sensation in my arms, which I can’t tell if it was simply due to anxiety. Given that my aunt suffered a stroke in her thirties, the prospect of having a stroke terrifies me. I find that the emergency room here primarily prescribes pain medication if you mention head discomfort, which leaves me uncertain about what steps to take next. Could these symptoms signal an impending stroke? Furthermore, I've also been experiencing pain in my left leg, though I’m unsure if that’s connected to my other symptoms.