Stitches or Staple Removal (Child)

Home care

• If your child has pain, you can give them pain medicine as advised by your child’s health care provider. Don’t give your child any other medicine without first asking the provider.

• Keep your child’s wound clean and protected by covering it with a bandage for the next week or so. 

• Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water before and after caring for your child. This helps prevent infection.

• Clean the wound gently with soap and clean, running water daily or as directed by your child’s health care provider. Don't use iodine, alcohol, or other cleansers on the wound. Gently pat it dry. Cover it with a new bandage, if needed. Don't re-use bandages.

• If the area gets wet, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth. Replace the wet bandage with a dry one.

• Check the wound daily for signs of infection.

• Make sure your child doesn't pick at the wound. A baby may need to wear scratch mittens.

• Your child can now bathe or shower as usual. Don’t let your child swim until the wound is fully healed. 

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child’s health care provider, or as advised.

When to call the doctor

Contact your child's health care provider right away if:

• The wound reopens or bleeds.

• There are signs of an infection, such as:

  • Increasing redness or swelling around the wound.

  • Increased warmth from the wound.

  • Pain that gets worse.

  • Red streaking lines away from the wound.

  • Fluid draining from the wound.

• Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your child's provider.