Can I swim with stitches?

It depends on the type of surgery you have had, but you shouldn't go swimming until: your surgeon, GP or physiotherapist has confirmed it's safe for you to do so. your wound has healed (it shouldn't be submerged under water before it's healed) – ask your surgeon how long your wound will take to heal.

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Can you go in a pool with stitches?

Can you go swimming with stitches? You should really avoid this activity until stitches have been removed and the wound has fully healed as this decreases the risk of infection. Recommendations are that you don't go swimming until: Your GP or surgeon has confirmed that it's safe.

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How long do you have to stay out of the pool with stitches?

“Overall, I recommend avoiding submerging the incision for at least a week if possible,” Hannan says. “If absolutely necessary, a waterproof adhesive bandage should be used, and the minimum amount of time in the water as is possible for that person.”

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How do you cover up stitches when swimming?

Using waterproof plasters and bandages to cover wounds will help to protect them while you swim so that they can heal properly. Before applying a plaster or bandage, it's essential to clean the wound so that you're not trapping any bacteria underneath the plaster or bandage.

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How long until stitches can get wet?

After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.

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When Can I Hot Tub OR Swim After Surgery

43 related questions found

Is it OK to swim with a healing cut?

Although it's fine to swim in a pool with an open paper cut, Wang advises against pool swimming when you have an open wound or a wound with stitches—it's just better to be safe. And she wouldn't do either in open water. Open water contains a variety of bacteria that can lead to wound infection.

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Why shouldn't you get stitches wet?

The first day: Keep your wound area dry for the first 24 hours after the doctor sewed in the stitches. You'll lower your risk of infection. Follow your doctor's instructions on when you can start cleaning the area and how to do it.

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Does chlorine help heal cuts?

Wounds need also to be protected against chlorinated water, it can also slow the healing process, and bacteria in public pools can infect wounds. Chlorine in water can cause unnecessary irritation in wounds and slow healing.

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How can I make my stitches heal faster?

It's important to keep sutures clean and dry, especially for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can wet the sutured area gently and quickly, for example in a sink or in the shower. Carefully pat the stitches dry immediately, as moisture can slow down the healing process.

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How long do stitches take to heal?

These are the usual time periods: stitches on your head – you'll need to return after 3 to 5 days. stitches over joints, such as your knees or elbows – you'll need to return after 10 to 14 days. stitches on other parts of your body – you'll need to return after 7 to 10 days.

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Can I get my stitches wet in the ocean?

However, please note that we said “swimming pool” and not “swimming hole.” You should always avoid all natural water sources while you have stitches or staples. Don't go swimming in lakes, streams, ponds or the ocean because of the bacteria present. You don't want to risk getting the wound infected.

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Can you swim with stitches after giving birth?

If you want to go swimming, you'll need to wait until any discharge (lochia) has stopped and any stitches have healed. This is likely to be from about 6 weeks onwards.

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Do and don'ts with stitches?

After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the cut with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

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What not to do after getting stitches?

Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day. After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.

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Is it OK to leave stitches in for 3 weeks?

Stitches and staples need to be removed within 4-14 days. The specific removal date depends on the location of the stitches or staples. Removal should not be delayed.

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Should I swim in a pool with a cut?

They say you shouldn't swim with an open wound or swallow the water. “It's something people should be aware of,” says Dan Suffoletto, the Public Information Supervisor with Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County. Health experts say bacteria is found in any body of water, even swimming pools.

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Do wounds heal better in water?

The discovery that a moist environment actively supports the healing response when compared with a dry environment highlights the importance of water and good hydration levels for optimal healing. The benefits of 'wet' or 'hyper-hydrated' wound healing appear similar to those offered by moist over a dry environment.

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Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered?

A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.

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Do stitches heal faster wet or dry?

If the wound environment is dry, the cells will have to find moisture deep in the wound bed so that they can migrate. This slows down the healing process. In fact, studies show that moist wounds heal 50 % faster than dry wounds.

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Do I need to keep stitches covered?

Keep your stitches or staples dry and covered with a bandage. Non-absorbable stitches and staples need to be kept dry for 1 to 2 days. Absorbable stitches sometimes need to be kept dry longer. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your stitches dry.

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Can you leave stitches in longer than 10 days?

Stitches and staples are used to keep wounds together during healing. They need to be removed within 4-14 days. The specific removal date depends on the location of the stitches or staples. Removal should not be delayed.

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How do you tell if stitches are healing properly?

Signs of Healing
  1. Scabs. Your general cuts and puncture wounds go through three stages of healing: bleeding, clotting, and scabbing. ...
  2. Swelling. Swelling is a sign that your immune system is repairing your wound. ...
  3. Tissue Growth. ...
  4. Scarring.

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Do stitches make you heal faster?

Stitches can help a wound heal faster and lower the risk of scarring. A doctor can also repair wounds with uneven edges to reduce the size of the opening and any potential scar that may appear. The good medical care that comes with stitches can also help to prevent infection that could increase the risk of scarring.

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What is the rule for stitches?

One general rule of thumb is that if the cut is more than half an inch deep, it will probably need stitches. However, there are other factors to consider as well, such as the location of the cut and whether it is jagged or clean.

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How long after giving birth can you swim in a pool?

Swimming is a great, low-impact activity for new moms. While some people are able to hop in the water just a few days after giving birth, it's recommended you wait about 2 to 4 weeks while your lochia—the vaginal discharge after birth—completely tapers off to avoid an infection.

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