Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

Although you are generally advised to visit your doctor or medical facility for suture removal, sometimes this is not necessary. If the expected recovery time has passed and the wound seems to have closed completely, you can pull out just at home with just tweezers and scissors!

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Prepare

1. 

   Make sure the withdrawal is only safe. In some cases, you should absolutely not withdraw only. If the stitches are sutured after surgery or the expected recovery time has not expired (usually 10-14 days), self-withdrawal can only increase the risk of infection and prevent recovery.
   • Remember that if you go to the doctor to remove the thread, usually the place you just pulled out will usually be covered with a tape that will help in the healing process. If you withdraw at home only, you probably won't get the care you need.
   • If you want to be more sure, call your doctor. Your doctor will tell you if it's only safe to withdraw yourself.
   • Do not withdraw only if the wound seems to be redder or more painful. In this case, you should see your doctor because you may have an infection.
   • In many cases, you can be withdrawn only without having to go through a regular appointment; you just need to go to the clinic and be withdrawn just quickly. You should call your doctor to inquire about this.

2. 

   
   
   Select a tool for thread trimming. Use sharp surgical scissors if available. Sharp nail clippers or nail clippers can also be used. Avoid using any tool that has a blunt blade, nor does it use a knife - the knife easily slips.

3. 

   Disinfect tweezers and cutting tools. Put the tools in boiling water for a few minutes, place on a paper towel and allow to dry completely, then use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol and rub it over the tool. This is to make sure you don't get any bacteria from the tool.

4. 

   
   
   Find some more medical items. There are a few other items that you should also have handy. Have a sterile gauze bandage and antibiotic ointment available in case the bleeding is to be treated. Usually these are not needed because the wound is healed, but it's best to be prepared for peace of mind.

5. 

   
   
   Wash and disinfect stitches. Use soapy water to wash and dry with a clean towel. Use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol to wipe around the stitches. Make sure the skin is completely dry before proceeding with thread draw. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Remove sewing thread

1. 

   Sit in a well-lit place. You need to see each stitch clearly in order to do this well.Do not try to remove the thread in a dark place, otherwise you may hurt yourself.

2. 

   Lift the first knot. Use tweezers to gently lift the knot of the first stitch slightly.

3. 

   Cut sewing thread. Hold the knot up, pull the other hand and press the suture next to the knot.

4. 

   Withdraw only through the skin. Using the tweezers, continue to hold the knot and gently pull the thread out of the skin. You should feel a little bit sore, but not painful.
   • If the skin begins to bleed when the thread is withdrawn, it means that the suture cannot be withdrawn. Stop what you are doing and go to your doctor to get the rest.
   • Be careful, do not pull the knot through the skin. The knots can get in the skin and cause bleeding.

5. 

   Continue removing thread. Use tweezers to lift knots and cut. Pull out and throw away. Continue until the last stitch has been removed.

6. 

   Sponge. Make sure there's nothing left around the wound. If desired, apply a sterile gauze dressing over the newly removed skin and allow the wound to heal. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Post-withdrawal processing

1. 

   See your doctor if any problems arise. If the wound opens, you will need additional stitches. It is important that you see a doctor as soon as this happens. If you just cover the wound and let it heal itself, it won't be enough.

2. 

   Protects the wound from return damage. The skin's recovery rate is inherently slow - when the thread is removed, the skin's firmness is only 10% of normal. Newly removed thread should not move much.

3. 

   Protect the wound from UV rays. Ultraviolet rays can damage healthy tissues. You should use sunscreen if the wound is in the sun or when using a tanning bed.

4. 

   Apply vitamin E. This can help with the healing process, but you should only do this when the wound is completely closed. advertisement

Advice

• Leave the sutures in place for the rest of the time recommended by your doctor.
• Keep the wound clean.
• Use surgical scissors instead of scissors. This tool has a thinner and sharper blade which helps to lessen the stretching of the wound during thread trimming.

Warning

• Do not withdraw sutures yourself after major surgery. This article applies only to small stitches.
• Do not attempt to remove surgical staples at home. The doctor will have to use specialized tools to remove the pin; Home-made methods can make you more hurt and painful.
• Do not let sutures get wet if advised by your doctor, and do not wash them with soap.

What you need

• Surgical scissors or nail clippers
• Surgical clamp or tweezers (sterile)
• Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol
• Magnifying glass, preferably with a light
• Antibiotic ointment
• A sterile dressing