Anyone Ever Removed Their Own Stitches?

[Stevendsmith]

I have two stitches in my hand for a minor cut. I really don't want to take time off work to have them removed--or pay some ridiculous copay.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't do this myself?

Any tips on removal?

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. just remove them yourself..

Just carefully pull them out with tweezers and a little pair of shears.

it's not rocket science.

[rucky]

2. there's these little scissors women use for god-knows-what

but they're good for that. I did it. It's easy & painless. just make sure to sterilize the whatchamacallit first.

[MissMillie]

12. cuticle scissors (n/t)

.

[redqueen]

3. The only reason not to do it

would be if there was any indication of an infection. As long as everything is healing nicely, there's no reason why you can't do it.

[mr_hat]

4. Plenty of hydrogen peroxide, clippers and a tweeser. More fun >

than picking a scab!

[Bake]

21. I did it too!

More fun than picking a scab OR popping a big zit ...

Bake
I'm buzzed ...

[Scout]

5. easy to do ... as long as properly healed, no infection

wash your hands, and wash the stitch site

get some little scissors, and carefully make a snip through the stitch

gently pull on the side of the stitch that has the knot ... you might have to loosen a teeny little scab

pull the stitch all the way out and discard

[Seldona]

6. Sure.

Just use a good antibacterial on the wound, as well as the tool used to cut them.

And use a sharp precise cutting tool. An exacto knife works well.

And remember once you cut them, pull on the side that has the tie on it.

You do not want to pull that through the skin.

Other than that it is very easy.

[enki23]

7. give 'em a good dose of rubbing alcohol or something first

as you'll be drawing some of the exposed ends back through your tissues

[commander bunnypants]

8. poor some hydrogen peroxide over the stitches first

Softens the stitches plus it helps with keeping infection down

I took out about 10 once

DDQM

[Stevendsmith]

9. Thanks All!

[pinto]

10. one caveat: if you have any redness, swelling, pain, "hot spots" at

the site see a clinician. Otherwise,like KmA said it's a simple snip and pull. Clean the site before and after.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. Safest manner to remove them and avoid infection as follows

Get some betadine and soak you hand in it for a minute. Take a pot with water (quart), two tablespoons of bleach and dunk scissors and tweezers in it then rinse them well.

Make a small clip on the stiches with the scissors, pull them out with the tweezers and then soak your hand in betadine again.

Betadine is iodine which is the best antibacterial there is.

Being sterile with the scissors and tweezers will ensure you don't get any bacteria into the wound if it's at all open.

[Stevendsmith]

14. Okay, thanks

I appreciate you taking the time to write that up.

[Donkeyboy75]

18. You can also sterilize by holding your implements

in a flame for about a minute. That way you don't have to worry about some residual bleach getting in your cutting and hurting like a mofo.

[Bake]

20. I think that was more than we needed to know ...

But not bad for a LAWYER! HA!

Please bear in mind that lawyers are convinced they know everything. Just ask 'em.

Bake, Esq.
Not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV

[Ganja Ninja]

13. Just cut them and pull them out.

I did my own after surgery on my wrist. They came out cleanly and easily. Pain was not a problem.

[tsakshaug]

15. DIY

Not to bad to do. I have done my own a few times- and stiched up myself once when out in the woods for a few weeks. Nice neat scar if I say so myself.
My wife (an RN) took out my stiches in my...um...ya know... after that operation that guys get so they don't father anymore kids

[Warpy]

16. It's not rocket science

Just clip silk sutures near the knot and pull them out. Hemostats or carefully cleaned and disinfected (in bleach) needlenose pliers can help you grip them. You might want to cleanse the area with a little hydrogen peroxide, rince, and leave it open to air. Just call your doc's office and tell them what you did, cancel the appointment.

[SoCalDem]

17. I have even put IN my own stitches..

I cut my hand once, and was too laxy to sit in the ER for hours..so I sterilized a needle, soaked thread in alcohol, and sewed up my hand.. 5 stitches.. It was easy.. But it really grossed out my sons :)

[geniph]

19. Yep, in my thumb

I had a dozen stitches in one thumb (lesson for the day: if you drop a brand-new food processor blade, let it fall, do not attempt to catch it). They told me to come back to the ER to have them removed in two weeks. I looked in the place two weeks later, and it was a madhouse, so I decided to come back later. When I got home, the things were itching like fury, so I took a pair of nail scissors and a tweezer and removed them myself. I was surprised how little it hurt - it felt odd, but it didn't hurt.

[AlFrankenFan]

22. My boy dog removed his with his teeth this morning

So they had to staple it.