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Date issued: December 2022

Review date: December 2024

Ref: A-562/NB/ED/Wound Care

PDF:  Wound Care final December 2022.pdf [pdf] 165KB

What are the options?

Wounds can be closed in many ways:

• Wound glue (Dermaflex™)

• Steristrips™ (also known as paper or butterfly stitches)

• Staples (also known as skin clips)

• Stitches (also known as sutures).

Why hasn’t my wound been stitched?

Not every wound needs to be stitched, often the cosmetic appearance is better without stitches.

How do I look after my injury?

If the wound has been closed with steristrips, keep it clean and dry for at least 5 days, if you do get it wet, dab it dry with some clean tissue. 

If there is a dressing over the wound, remove it and gently pat the wound dry leaving the closure materials in place. 

If the ends of the Steristrips™ peel back then carefully trim them with scissors to stop them catching and being pulled off.

How do I care for a glued wound?

The glue will drop off by itself when the wound is healed, usually within 5-10 days. Glue is nontoxic so don’t worry if children accidentally eat it!  Protect the wound from sunlight exposure (including sunbeds) and try not to scratch or pick at the wound.  Aim to keep the wound dry, but you may occasionally and briefly wet your wound in the shower or bath at the direction of your physician, but do not soak or scrub the wound area. After showering or bathing, gently blot your wound dry with a soft towel. If the wound is on your head avoid washing your hair for 5 days, so as to avoid scrubbing it.

How long should Steristrips™ stay in place?

For 5-7 days (10-14 days if over a joint) unless the doctor or nurse tells you differently.  You can carefully remove them yourself, soaking them off in warm water if they are difficult to remove.

My wound has been stitched or stapled, how do I look after it?

Aim to keep the wound clean and dry until the stitches/staples are removed.  Similar to wound glue, sutured and stapled wounds can be carefully showered, but do not soak or scrub, and carefully pat the wound dry afterwards with a soft towel.  The doctor or nurse will tell you how long they have to stay in for. 

Sutures/staples to be removed in ……………...……days by Practice Nurse at GP Surgery please

How do I tell if my wound has become infected?

If the wound becomes more painful despite taking painkillers, red, hot and swollen or if pus comes out of the wound we advise you to see your GP.  You may require antibiotics.  However, wounds sometimes go red as part of the healing process.

What do I do if I have a problem with my wound?

Practice Nurses are trained to handle the vast majority of wounds.  If you feel you require more urgent attention then please come back to the Emergency Department.  Another good source of advice is www.patient.co.uk