How Stitches Interact with Healing Skin
Stitches, also known as sutures, are medical devices used to close wounds and surgical incisions. Their primary purpose is to hold the edges of damaged tissue together, facilitating the body’s natural healing processes. This closure helps to minimize the risk of infection and can contribute to reduced scarring.
How Stitches Work
Stitches function as a temporary bridge, keeping wound edges in close contact so that new tissue can form and mend the injury. There are two primary categories: absorbable and non-absorbable. Absorbable sutures are made from materials the body’s enzymes naturally break down and absorb over time, often used for internal tissues.
Non-absorbable stitches are composed of materials the body cannot dissolve, such as nylon or silk. These must be manually removed by a healthcare professional once the wound has sufficiently healed. Stitches provide the necessary support for the skin to regenerate and fuse.
Why Skin Can Cover Stitches
Skin can grow over stitches when they remain in place longer than intended, particularly with non-absorbable types. The body’s natural healing response involves new skin cell growth, which can encapsulate the foreign material if stitches are present for an extended period. This embedding can occur if stitches were placed too deeply within the skin layers.
Swelling around the wound, a common part of the healing process, can also make skin appear to grow over stitches. Absorbable stitches may fail to dissolve as expected, sometimes protruding or causing irritation which the body attempts to cover. The prolonged presence of any suture material can lead to localized irritation and inflammation, prompting the body to integrate the stitches further into the healing tissue.
What to Do About Covered Stitches
If you observe skin growing over your stitches, avoid attempting to remove them yourself. Self-removal carries risks of infection, further injury to the healing wound, or incomplete removal. Instead, contact the healthcare provider who placed the stitches, or seek care at an urgent care facility.
A medical professional will assess the wound and surrounding tissue to determine the best course of action. They may clean and numb the area to minimize discomfort. Using sterile instruments, the healthcare provider can carefully cut and extract the embedded stitch material, often with minor interventions like trimming or gentle extraction.
Minimizing the Risk
Adhering to post-operative care instructions reduces the likelihood of skin growing over stitches. This includes keeping the wound clean and dry, typically after the first 24 to 48 hours, by gently washing with mild soap and water, then patting the area dry. Avoid activities that place excessive tension or strain on the wound, as this can disrupt the healing process.
For non-absorbable stitches, attending scheduled follow-up appointments for timely removal is important. Monitor the wound daily for any signs of complications, such as increased redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, to allow for prompt medical attention if issues arise.