“Why are my surgery stitches still not healing?”
I had abdominal surgery 3 weeks back. However, my surgery stitches are still not healing. They are also very itchy. What could be the problem?
5 Answers
It can take up to 12 weeks to heal. Itching means it is healing.
Poor healing could be a sign of other problems such as poor nutrition, infection, allergy to the suture material. Consult with your surgeon.
Itching is a sign of wound healing. The sutures may be dissolvable, but they also may be permanent depending on what was placed by the surgeon. As long as redness or purulent drainage is not present, then the incision should heal fine. Smoking, Aspirin, and steroids may prevent the wound from healing.
Stitches heal most of the time from the inside out. As for you being itchy, that most of the time means you are healing. # of weeks is not a long time, but if you need something for the itching, get your doctor to give you something for it.
Itching is a normal sign of wound healing. It may take 3-4 weeks for the wound to seal completely. Worrisome signs including redness, heat, or drainage from the wound. If you have concerns, I would contact your surgeon immediately for an evaluation. If you have staples or external sutures, it is probably time for them to come out.
