How Long Do Stitches Stay In?

While stitches are not meant to stay in permanently, removing them at the right time is key to proper recovery. Taking stitches out too soon can cause the wound to reopen. Leaving them in too long can lead to more scarring or make removal harder.

In this article, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about how long stitches stay in, healing signs, and proper care to ensure your wound heals beautifully.

What Are Stitches and Why Are They Used?

Stitches, medically known as sutures, are threads used to close wounds and hold tissue together during healing. Think of them as temporary scaffolding for your skin while it rebuilds itself from the inside out.

Doctors rely on stitches for a variety of situations. For example, deep cuts that won’t close on their own need sutures to help prevent infection and support proper healing. Surgical incisions also require stitches to ensure the wound stays closed in a precise and controlled way.

When it comes to the types of stitches, there are two main kinds you might encounter.  Absorbable stitches break down naturally in the body over time, so they don’t need to be removed. In contrast, non-absorbable stitches must be taken out by a healthcare professional during a follow-up visit.

How Long Do Stitches Stay In?

Stitches generally have to be removed within 5 to 14 days. However, the exact timing depends on where they are placed on the body. Different areas heal at different rates due to factors like blood flow, skin thickness, and movement.

Here’s a general guide to how long stitches typically stay in based on body part:

• Face: 3–5 days
• Scalp: 7–10 days
• Arms and Legs: 10–14 days
• Joints: 10–14 days
• Abdomen, Chest, and Back: 7–14 days

Your doctor will give you specific suture removal instructions based on your wound and how well it’s healing. Always follow their advice, and never remove stitches early without medical approval.

How Do I Know When Stitches Are Ready to Come Out?

Several clear signs indicate your stitches are ready for removal. First, the edges of your wound should be completely sealed, with no gaps or separation. This sealing means that new tissue has formed strong connections beneath the surface.

You also shouldn’t see signs of infection around the stitches. Healthy tissue looks pink or slightly red, but it shouldn’t appear angry, swollen, or inflamed. 

The initial redness and swelling from your injury should have gone down by the time the stitches are ready for removal.

A wound that is healing well will look clean and stable, with no oozing, foul smell, or spreading redness. These signs give confidence that the stitches are ready for removal and that the skin is strong enough to stay closed on its own.

How Do I Know My Stitches Are Healing Properly?

Proper healing shows specific characteristics that are easy to recognize. Looking for these three key signs will help you monitor your recovery progress effectively.

Closed Wound Edges

If you notice the wound edges separating, this could indicate infection. Infected stitches often cause wound dehiscence, where edges pull apart due to inflammation.

Minimal Redness

Some redness around the stitch site is normal during healing. However, this redness should decrease over time rather than spreading outward.

Watch for warning signs of infection. If redness becomes intense, spreads beyond the wound area, or develops red streaking, you may have an infection. 

Infected tissue feels hot and appears inflamed. The skin may also become significantly swollen beyond normal healing inflammation.

No Oozing or Odor

Healthy healing tissue should not produce ongoing discharge or unusual odors. Small amounts of clear fluid may appear initially but should stop within a day or two.

Be alert for infection signs through discharge. You might notice pus or thick, colored discharge with a foul smell. Any unusual odors from your wound site warrant immediate attention.

Sepsis occurs when infection spreads throughout your body and becomes life-threatening. Watch for systemic signs like fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, confusion, or feeling extremely unwell. 

These symptoms indicate infection has spread beyond the wound site and requires emergency medical treatment.

When Can I Stop Covering My Stitches?

Most stitches can be left uncovered after 24 to 48 hours, unless your doctor instructs otherwise. Keeping your wound clean and dry remains crucial even after removing bandages. 

After about 7 days, most stitches can handle brief water exposure during gentle washing. Quick showers are usually fine at this stage, but it’s best to avoid soaking in baths or swimming until the stitches are removed.

Special Considerations for Absorbable Sutures

Unlike traditional stitches, absorbable sutures don’t need to be removed by a doctor. Instead, your body gradually breaks them down and absorbs the material over time. This process is called enzymatic degradation or hydrolysis, depending on the type of suture.

Enzymatic degradation happens when natural sutures, such as those made from animal gut, are broken down by the body’s own enzymes. In contrast, synthetic absorbable sutures dissolve through a process called hydrolysis, where water in the surrounding tissue gradually breaks down the suture material.

Most absorbable sutures dissolve within 1 to 2 weeks, though some types can take several months.

The rate of absorption can vary from person to person. Factors like your age, overall health, and the specific type of suture material all play a role.

Stitches placed in areas with good blood flow, such as the face, tend to dissolve more quickly than those in parts of the body with slower circulation.

When Do Stitches Need Medical Attention?

Certain situations require immediate medical attention, even if you have a follow-up scheduled. Watch for these warning signs:

• Stitches reopening
• Signs of infection such as redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge
• Worsening pain that does not improve over time
• Fever, especially with red streaks near the wound
• Unusual discharge that is thick, colored, or foul-smellingIf you notice any of these, contact your doctor right away. Prompt care helps prevent serious complications.

Build Your Suturing Confidence with an Artagia Med Practice Kit

Knowing how long stitches stay in is important, but developing the skills to apply and manage them correctly takes hands-on practice. If you're serious about mastering suturing, consistent training with the right tools is essential.

The Advanced Suture Practice Kit from Artagia Med gives you everything you need to practice safely and effectively. With 35 high-quality pieces, including realistic training materials and surgical-grade instruments, you can sharpen your technique in a controlled environment.

Want to take your skills even further? The Advanced Surgical Knot Tying Board Kit is specially designed to help you refine your knot techniques with accuracy and control—an essential part of successful wound closure.

Whether you're a student, nurse, or emergency responder, now is the perfect time to level up your suturing skills. Order your suture practice kit today and train with confidence.