Dissolvable Stitches Care: Day-by-Day Guide to Healing
Keep the wound dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, wash around it gently with mild soap and clean water, pat it dry, and leave the stitches alone. They break down on their own, and most people see them disappear within a few weeks. This guide covers showering, drying, timing, what to do if a stitch pokes out, and when to call your provider.
TL;DR
Keep the area dry for the first 24 to 48 hours, then shower and wash gently around the wound.
Pat dry with a clean towel. Don’t rub, pick or pull at the stitches.
Dissolvable stitches usually go within one to two weeks, though some last for months.
A stitch that pokes out is usually not an emergency. Don’t cut it yourself without your doctor’s approval.
Call your provider for fever, spreading redness, pus, a bad odor or a wound that opens.
Table of Contents
What dissolvable stitches are and why they last different lengths of time
Dissolvable (absorbable) stitches are made from materials your body breaks down by itself, so nobody needs to take them out. Healthline reports that they typically last from a few days to 4 weeks. Some types used in orthopedic surgery, such as polydioxanone, can take about 6 months to dissolve completely.
Kaiser Permanente explains that the part under the skin dissolves over time. A knot on top of the skin will probably fall off in a couple of weeks. Timing depends on the type of stitch, the size of the wound and the part of the body.
The first 48 hours: keep it dry and quiet
The first two days set the tone for healing. Here is what to do:
Keep the wound clean and dry for the first 24 to 48 hours, as MedlinePlus advises.
Wash your hands before you touch the area. UW Health recommends warm soapy water for 30 seconds.
Avoid movements that pull on the wound. Cleveland Clinic lists running, strength training and chores that involve twisting, bending or lifting.
Wear loose clothing where the wound is, so fabric doesn’t rub on it.
Raise the area on a pillow when you sit or lie down, above heart level if you can. Kaiser Permanente says this helps reduce swelling.
If your surgeon or dentist gave you different instructions, follow theirs. They know your procedure.
Showering with dissolvable stitches
Most people can shower after the first 24 hours unless the provider says otherwise. Kaiser Permanente recommends washing with mild soap and water, then gently patting the area dry with a clean cloth.
A simple routine:
Let lukewarm water run over the area. Skip a direct blast from the showerhead.
Wash around the wound with mild soap. Don’t scrub or dig at the stitches.
Pat dry with a clean towel. MedlinePlus says to dab, not rub.
Don’t use a cotton ball, since fibers can catch on the stitches. ECU Health advises a clean towel instead.
Baths, pools and hot tubs
Gentle showers are fine, but soaking is not. UW Health says to avoid swimming, hot tubs and baths until the wound heals. ECU Health gives the same guidance and adds that you shouldn’t put body lotion, talcum powder or other bathing products directly on the healing wound.
Scalp stitches
For a laceration on the scalp, MedlinePlus says it’s OK to shampoo and wash. Be gentle and avoid long exposure to water.
When do dissolvable stitches fall out?
Most dissolve in one to two weeks. Cleveland Clinic notes that some last a few months, depending on how your body heals. ECU Health describes 7 to 10 days as typical for many wounds.
Here is what you may notice along the way:
Stage | What you may see |
First days | Pink skin around the stitches, mild tenderness |
Week 1 to 2 | Knots soften, fray or fall off. Tape, if used, comes off by itself |
Weeks 2 to 4 | Visible stitch ends vanish. The skin looks flatter |
Longer than a month | Possible for deeper or orthopedic stitches. Follow your surgeon’s schedule |
Cleveland Clinic says tape holding dissolvable stitches in place falls off on its own within a couple of weeks. If you have adhesive strips, our guide to Steri-Strips care covers keeping them dry.
What if a stitch pokes out or comes loose?
It’s common for a stitch to poke out before it fully dissolves. Healthline says that unless the wound has opened, is bleeding or shows signs of infection, it is not cause for alarm. It may fall off in the shower or rub away against clothing.
Do this:
Leave it alone and keep up your normal cleaning.
Don’t snip or pull it without your doctor’s okay. Cleveland Clinic says a provider can remove a bothersome stitch for you.
If the wound edges open before the stitches are gone, keep up wound care. UW Health says the wound will heal on its own and new stitches will not be placed. Still tell your provider.
If your doctor does approve trimming a visible stitch, Healthline advises sterilized equipment, thoroughly washed hands and rubbing alcohol on the area.
Ointment, bandages and dressings
Many providers suggest a thin layer of ointment and a nonstick bandage. Kaiser Permanente mentions a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and ECU Health mentions a thin layer of antibiotic ointment. Ask your provider which one they prefer for your wound.
Thin is the key. A heavy layer can trap moisture and get messy around the stitches. We explain the thin-film approach in our guide to ointment on stitches. If you want a broader picture of recovery, see our post-operative wound care guide.
For bathing, drying, gentle cleaning and bandage steps, this page on absorbable suture aftercare gives a useful walk-through.
Easing discomfort without disturbing the wound
Mild soreness is normal. Memorial Sloan Kettering suggests acetaminophen as directed on the package and an ice pack held over the wound for 15 to 20 minutes every hour to reduce pain, swelling and bruising. Take aspirin or NSAIDs only if your healthcare provider says it’s safe. Elevation helps too, as noted above.
When the area starts to itch during healing, that is often part of normal repair. Our page on incision itching relief explains what to expect and when to call.
When to call your provider
Check the wound every day. Cleveland Clinic recommends looking for swelling, pus and color changes. Contact your provider if you notice:
Thick, cloudy or smelly yellow or green drainage
Redness or warmth that spreads beyond the edge of the incision
Increasing pain, swelling or hardness
A wound that opens, or gets deeper, longer or wider
A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, with chills or sweating (Memorial Sloan Kettering and ECU Health use this figure; MedlinePlus says to call at 100°F)
New numbness or tingling around the wound
Pain that continues even after pain medicine
For bleeding, press firmly with clean gauze. MedlinePlus says to get help right away if bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure. Memorial Sloan Kettering gives 30 minutes for its skin-procedure patients, so follow the instructions from your own care team and call the emergency line if pressure doesn’t work.
Our perspective
Healing starts with the basics: clean, dry, protected and left undisturbed. The stitches do their job, and your job is to support the skin around them. We formulated Re-gen as a plant-based, petroleum-free ointment made with a blend of 10 herbal ingredients, designed to support skin recovery. For people who prefer natural, chemical-free care, we think it fits well into a routine of gentle cleaning and a thin, even layer once your provider says topical care is fine. Our advice is to build a calm routine: wash, pat dry, apply a thin film where appropriate, cover if needed and give your body time. Keep the healing process simple and consistent, and let your care team guide the details. Kyle
Support your recovery with Re-gen
If you want a plant-based option for the skin around a healing wound, Re-gen Plant-Based Regenerative Ointment is made with 10 herbal ingredients and no petroleum. Check with your surgeon before using any topical product on or near stitches.
Shipping is a flat $3. You can browse the full range, including Emerald Green and pet formulas, on our store. For more on natural recovery, read our post-op natural care guide.
FAQ
Can I shower with dissolvable stitches?
Yes, usually after the first 24 hours, unless your provider tells you otherwise. Use mild soap, let water run over the area, and pat it dry. Skip baths, pools and hot tubs until the wound has healed.
How long do dissolvable stitches take to fall out?
One to two weeks is typical, but they can last a few months depending on the type and your body. Deeper stitches may stay longer. Ask your surgeon if you’re unsure about yours.
Is it normal for a dissolvable stitch to stick out?
Often, yes. It may fall off by itself in the shower or against clothing. Don’t pull or cut it unless your doctor approves, and call if the area is red, painful, bleeding or draining.
Can I put ointment on dissolvable stitches?
Many providers suggest a thin layer with a nonstick bandage. Ask which ointment they recommend for your wound, and apply only a thin film.
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