Covering Stitches on my Face to Play tonight

[enron29]

Hey guys, I got six stitches put in across the top of my nose right between my eyes from a high stick in my roller hockey game monday night. Now I have an ice game tonight where I play goalie. I am trying to think of how to cover the stitches that will be comfortable enough, and do its job. I just want to cover them up so sweat does not get built up over the stitches, because I am suppose to keep them dry. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

[leaferguy]

It shouldn't matter if you had it done Monday. They should be coming out shortly, anyway. Haven't you showered this week?

You really shouldn't have to do anything to them...

[goalies-r-us]

Originally Posted by enron29

Hey guys, I got six stitches put in across the top of my nose right between my eyes from a high stick in my roller hockey game monday night. Now I have an ice game tonight where I play goalie. I am trying to think of how to cover the stitches that will be comfortable enough, and do its job. I just want to cover them up so sweat does not get built up over the stitches, because I am suppose to keep them dry. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

That's odd.... you're going to get more scarring if you let the wound "scab up" than if you keep it moist with an ointment all the time. (and and antibiotic ointment would keep dirt/sweat out of the wound as well)

Might want to double-check with a medical professional on that one, or you could end up looking like Frankenstein in a couple of months!

[foodsample]

I very little experiance dealing with stitches ... but i'd say go to your local supermarket and look at the specialized band-aids. I'm sure there are some that are water resistant or something?

[leaferguy]

Originally Posted by goalies-r-us

That's odd.... you're going to get more scarring if you let the wound "scab up" than if you keep it moist with an ointment all the time. (and and antibiotic ointment would keep dirt/sweat out of the wound as well)

Might want to double-check with a medical professional on that one, or you could end up looking like Frankenstein in a couple of months!

Also, yeah to this. I put antibiotic ointment on my stitches. You can pull them out yourself no problem if you keep them moist.

[enron29]

Yes, I have showered. But I was told by the doctor that put them in not to get them wet, so I have just washed my face and hair carefully in the sink. I guess I am going to sweat there no matter what, so I am just wondering if I should put anything on at all.

[junior1cats]

put antibiotic ointment or vaseline on it when playing, sweat will roll off.
You can cover it too with a band aid.
Just clean it good when your done.

[enron29]

Originally Posted by junior1cats

put antibiotic ointment or vaseline on it when playing, sweat will roll off.
You can cover it too with a band aid.
Just clean it good when your done.

How am I supposed to clean it if I was told not to get them wet?

[RedRook]

I had stitches right across my mouth once, i was never told anything about keeping them dry, just clean. I know from experience that stitches will come out in water more easily, but only if they are broken at one point. Water should do no damage. But you can get waterproof bandaids. If you can get your hands on a swab and waterproof medical tape that might be best. It will be flexible and keep it realatively dry.
Also you can clean things without getting them wet. Hygenic wipes work just fine.

[junior1cats]

Originally Posted by enron29

How am I supposed to clean it if I was told not to get them wet?

take a little soap and wash , then you dry and they are not wet.

[jf-laflaire]

Now I have an ice game tonight where I play goalie. I am trying to think of how to cover the stitches that will be comfortable enough, and do its job. I just want to cover them up so sweat does not get built up over the stitches, because I am suppose to keep them dry. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

Not to sound like your mom or dad but why are you even playing in the first place?

Is it an important playoff game or tryout? If you are pro or something than I can see why you would, but really aren't there other things that are more important? You would not want it to reopen. Form my experience even after a week the wound is still fresh & not ready for too much impact.

Dunno. Just something not mentioned. I would reconsider if I was you. Other things in life are important too.

[VaughnGP]

ever see an NHLer play with stitches? If your helmets not going to rub, You will be fine.

I impaled myself on my skate once in my inner thigh. 3 rows deep, however many stitches on the outside.. some tape some ace bandage.. i was fine. you will survive good luck with the game

[goalies-r-us]

How do I take care of stitches?

You can usually wash an area that has been stitched in one to three days. Washing off dirt and the crust that may form around the stitches helps reduce scarring. If the wound drains clear yellow fluid, you may need to cover it.

Your doctor may suggest that you rinse the wound with water and rebandage it in 24 hours. Be sure to dry it well after washing. You may want to keep the wound elevated above your heart for the first day or two to help lessen swelling, reduce pain and speed healing.

Your doctor may also suggest using a small amount of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. The ointment also keeps a heavy scab from forming and may reduce the size of a scar.

Stitches are usually removed in 3 to 14 days, depending on where the cut is located. Areas that move, such as over or around the joints, require more time to heal.


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Sutured Wound Care

Home Care

Keep the wound completely dry for the first 24 hours. Then begin washing it gently with warm water and liquid soap 1 or 2 times a day. Apply an antibiotic ointment after you wash the wound to keep a thick scab from forming over the sutures (stitches). The wound should not be soaked. After 24 hours, your child can take brief showers. Avoid swimming, baths, or soaking the wound until the sutures are removed. Water in the wound can interfere with healing.


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Scars
All cuts heal with a scar. If good care is given to a scar early while it is healing, the end result will be a less notable scar. Scars continue to mature and change for up to 12-18 months. During this time there will be pinkness in the wound. The final quality of the scar is determined by the wound itself, inherited skin healing qualities and how well the wound was cared for. The following steps will help you care for your child's wound.

After the Cut is Repaired
Keep the area clean and dry for the first 48 hours
Leave any bandages intact for the first 48 hours
If there is no bandage, apply a thin coat of antibiotic ointment

While There are Stitches
After the second day, clean the area twice daily with an antibacterial soap
If there are crusts right around the stitches, they can be removed by gently cleaning with a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide

After the Stitches are Removed
Apply moisturizer twice daily until the skin returns to its normal color.

How to Improve the Scar
Scar Massage
The body heals wounds by laying down new proteins. The healing area is a ridge that can be felt along the site of the cut. Massage can help this smooth out to a flat surface. Using a thick moisturizer (cocoa butter, vitamin E, shortening), rub the wound for 5-10 minutes twice daily. You must use enough pressure to change the color of the cut from pink to pale. Benefits from massage last until all the pink is gone from the wound. Wait for 3 weeks after the cut is repaired before massaging.

Sun Protection
Any fresh scar (one that is still pink) can get sun burned, even in dark skinned people. Once a scar gets burned or tanned, it will not fade back to its normal color and a dark spot will always be present. It is best to avoid sun on a fresh wound. Clothing with long sleeves, full length pants and hats provide good sun protection. If the wound is not covered by clothing, it should be covered with sun block. The zinc and titanium oxide based sun blocks (which are waterproof) work the best, but any sun block with SPF of 15 or greater will work if applied often.

Activity
Cuts deep enough to require stitches need to be protected from stress which might reopen them. For 2 weeks after stitches, no contact sports or rough activities should be allowed.


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Suture Home Care

Suture care is similar, regardless of the type of suture.

First, keep the wound clean and as dry as possible. Do not immerse or soak the wound in water. This means no swimming, washing dishes (unless thick rubber gloves are used), baths, or hot tubs until the stitches are removed or after about 2 weeks if absorbable suture material was used.

Leave original bandages on the wound for the first 24 hours. After this time, showering or rinsing is recommended, rather than bathing.

After the first day, remove old bandages and gently cleanse the wound with soap and water or half-strength peroxide (mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide with water). Cleansing twice a day prevents build-up of debris, which may cause a larger scar, make suture removal slightly painful and more difficult, or increase the likelihood of infection.

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This is Doctor Mom, signing off.....

[Spidey]

Originally Posted by Shane Falco

Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever.

...............................

[leaferguy]

Originally Posted by Captain Falcon

Falcon punch!