Caring for your wound after staples or stitches removal is important to prevent inflammation, minimize the risk of infection, and promote healing.

• A thin layer of an antibiotic ointment can be applied twice daily to the wound until the skin is fully healed.
• Keep the area dry and clean for 24 hours after staples or stitches are removed.  But you may gently wash the area with a mild soap, warm water and pat dry.
•  Do not submerse the wound in water, pools and hot tubs for at least 7 days after suture removal.  Bathing/showering after suture removal as you normally would.
• Avoid sports that could re-injure the wound with direct contact for a month.
• Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on the healed incision when exposed to sunlight, for at least the next 9 months. Healing scar tissue can burn more easily than the rest of your skin.

Contact the office if you develop any new symptoms such as sudden redness, numbness, reopening of wound, foul smelling drainage, or increased pain.