infection

Ok...so I have been healing nicely except for one corner of one wound that the stitch is sticking slightly out of. It has been a little raised in that area, but not a bit sore. Today at church (I was surrounded by 4 nurses!) I asked if I could pull that stich out or would it unravel everything inside LOL. I was told to go ahead after putting a bit of alcohol on it. So...I just went to do it and as I tugged I noticed a wee bit of yellow puss coming out of it so I stopped. I swabbed it with alcohol and put some neosporin on it and a band-aid. I plan on watching it to make sure it doesn't get visibly worse, or start to be sore. Does that sound like the right thing to do, or should I call my surgeon's office right away. I don't want to over-react especially since it seems quite minor at this point. But should a stitch be infected 4 weeks out??? Advice please!

Maybe I'm an alarmist but I'd be calling the doc in the morning.  I wouldn't take any chances especially since you are doing so well!  The doc might want to take that stitch out and make sure you heal up, maybe some antibiotics to be sure there is no infection?  who knows??  Good luck and keep us posted! 

Sounds similar to an infection I had - when she saw it at my six week, she removed the stitch and all was fine the very next day.

If it continues, I would certainly call - you've got a lot going on and you want to make sure you are well healed for your move.

Hi   Terri


I would  call the doctors office just to check in and let them know what was going on.   Better to be safe. 

Hope all is well with you  have a great day!!!!!




 

the puss is normal. If it is infected, you would have a large red ring around the wound.  I can't beleive they told you to pull it! what were they thinking?

Well, to be fair, I said it was bugging me and asked if it would hurt anything if I did pull it and they said no. If I hadn't tried, I would not have noticed the puss. Good to know about the red ring though. Thank you. I think I will call this morning just to ask.  I won't exagerate it and I will let the nurse there decide. I really don't want to drive to bangor today....

I personally wouldn't call the dr but that is just me, If I was you and moving soon you certainly don't want to end up wiht it getting worse you've got enought going on right now.  I'd call.  good luck with that.  remember "A stich in time saves 9"

I'm 2+weeks out and still have one wound that hasnt healed. The glue came off too early, then it scabbed. That came off one day from the shower, it was all full of goo. The dr/nurse told me when I called to just clean it with peroxide a few times a day to help dry it out and to kill any infection. And to NOT cover it with a bandaid, that just keeps the infection in. That letting it breathe is best. Its still not fully healed but is getting better everyday!!

Lynzie

Well, that's pretty much the advice I just got from Dr Huang's nurse. She said it is just my body rejecting the stitch and the stitch working itself out. Sometimes there is some puss when that happens. She told me to put a warm compress on it a few times a day and some topical antibiotic like I already did and it will eventually come out and heal. If it doesn't, or if it gets worse, I should call back. I must say I am glad i called though, just to be sure!

I'm relieved you called too.......better safe than sorry!!