Suture Care (cont.)

Medical Author:

Hien L Tran, MD

Medical Editor:

Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

James Ungar, MD

If the doctor diagnoses cellulitis,you will be treated with antibiotics.
If you have an abscess, then the collection of pus will need to be drained. You likely will also need antibiotics. Sometimes, the stitches may need to be removed prematurely to allow the wound to continue to drain any infectious material (for example, pus). Further home care will include soaking the infected area with clean warm towels 3-4 times a day to assist the healing process.
If your wound's edges separate, the wound may need to be left open to heal on its own. Your treatment will likely also include antibiotics.
If there is something in the wound that is causing the infection, this will need to be removed by a physician.