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.
The factors discussed include oxygenation, infection, age and sex hormones, stress, diabetes, obesity, medications, alcoholism, smoking, and nutrition. A better understanding of the influence of these factors on repair may lead to therapeutics that improve wound healing and resolve impaired wounds.
Wound care using natural materials has been done a long time ago, including wound care using sodium chloride from seawater. Soaking wounds in 7% table salt concentration with osmotic salt properties can provide a drying effect on the wound so that the growth of new tissue accelerates skin contact more quickly.
This is especially important when healing a wound. Water is the best hydration source, but milk, juice, or tea can also help keep skin healthy as long as the drinks are not too sugary. Doctors suggest keeping a glass of water nearby throughout the day to encourage drinking between meals.
Citrus fruits like oranges and kiwis help heal wounds and post-surgery recovery. Avocados have potent antibacterial and antioxidants which prevent further damage to injuries and bacterial infection. Blueberries are rich in fibre and have good anti-inflammatory properties.
Avoid soaking the wound in hot water. Don't take baths or sit in a hot tub, as that can soften the tissues around the wound, loosening the stitches or the staples.
Salty bath
Salt is a great source for healing, so go back to basics and run yourself a nice, warm bath and add a sprinkling of salt. Sit in the bath for a few minutes ensuring the area is nicely rinsed. Avoid using too much salt so that you don't dry your body out.
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.
"It takes about four to six weeks for tissue to rebuild to its maximum strength, during which time it's best to avoid tension, stretching or shearing forces at the suture site," explains Dr. Yaakovian.
The stitches in the skin should heal in 5-10 days. The underlying stitches in your muscle layer will take longer to heal. These won't completely heal for 12 weeks. For the stitches that you can see, make sure to watch for any signs of infection.
Signs it's working: During this stage of healing, you may experience swelling, redness or pain while your wound heals. Your skin may also feel hot to the touch, and you may see a clear liquid around your wound. These are all signs that the inflammatory stage of wound healing is well underway.
Limit unhealthy foods, such as those that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Examples include doughnuts, cookies, fried foods, candy, and regular soda. These kinds of foods are low in nutrients that are important for healing.
Poor Circulation. During the healing process, your body's red blood cells carry new cells to the site to begin rebuilding tissue. Poor blood circulation can slow down this process, making the wound that much longer to heal. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, can cause poor blood circulation.
You should avoid contact sports, such as football or hockey, to give your wound the best possible chance to heal. You should not go swimming until your wound has healed and your stitches have been removed. For more information, read How soon can I go swimming after surgery?
To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
If you have sutures (stitches): -Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor healing ointment to the sutured site 3-4x/ day for the next three to four days. The ointment will help the wound heal more quickly and minimize scarring.
Saline (or sterile salt) is commonly used in wound care as it creates conditions that make it difficult for bacteria to grow, therefore preventing wound infection. Successful wound healing occurs when you reduce wound contamination and minimise tissue injury.
Cold therapy should be used first to reduce the swelling. Do not use heat on open wounds or stitches, it will increase the risk of bleeding. When using an electric heating pad, it may be tempting to lie down and enjoy the relief. However, you risk falling asleep and burning yourself.
You should be able to wash normally after your stitches, dressings and clips have been removed. It's usually better to have a shower until the wound has healed to avoid soaking it completely. Afterwards, pat your wound and the area around it dry.
Wound healing
Water also helps blood take waste products away from cells and out of the body. After a plastic surgery, hydration is even more important for healing incision sites and helping wounds drain properly.
Ginger and Pork Soup – One of The Best Chinese Herbal Soups
Having a ginger base meal can provide you with various benefits such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidants that help to reduce pain and swelling after surgery.
Vitamin C provides the collagen protein that is responsible for repairing tendons, ligaments and healing both your incision and the repairs inside your body. Top 3 foods: oranges, strawberries and bell peppers.