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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling At The Site Of Suture?

I have a 20 month old who fell and hit her head on the corner of a night stand. We took her to the ER at the closest children's hospital ( we are visiting in Washington DC) and they stitched it up---3 internal, 3 external stitches. That was Monday night. It is now Thursday and the site is healing but redder than yesterday and still swollen. We are following directions, keeping it clean and applying Neosporin twice daily. Should we be concerned about the redness and swelling?
Wed, 10 Jun 2015
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Dentist 's  Response
Hi Dear,

Welcome to HCM.

Understanding your concern.

As per your query you had swelling at the site of suture which is a matter you need not to worry about as that is mainly due to fluid that becomes entrapped in between sutures. This will resolve once the sutures are removed. Swelling around or inferior to the incision depending on the location and your coagulation status. Patients taking blood thinners will more likely develop a bruise.

Swelling will also develops where gravity takes the fluid. As you had surgery on the forehead or frontal scalp may develop swelling and a bruise around the forehead, eyelid(s) 1-2 days after the surgery. This will resolve over the next week.

The whole scar will flatten out over the next 3 months once sutures will be removed. Maintain proper cleanliness in suture area. Apply betadine or Neosporin as prescribed to you. Prevent the area from microorganisms by covering it.

Hope your concern has been resolved.

Get Well Soon.

Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
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What Causes Swelling At The Site Of Suture?

Hi Dear, Welcome to HCM. Understanding your concern. As per your query you had swelling at the site of suture which is a matter you need not to worry about as that is mainly due to fluid that becomes entrapped in between sutures. This will resolve once the sutures are removed. Swelling around or inferior to the incision depending on the location and your coagulation status. Patients taking blood thinners will more likely develop a bruise. Swelling will also develops where gravity takes the fluid. As you had surgery on the forehead or frontal scalp may develop swelling and a bruise around the forehead, eyelid(s) 1-2 days after the surgery. This will resolve over the next week. The whole scar will flatten out over the next 3 months once sutures will be removed. Maintain proper cleanliness in suture area. Apply betadine or Neosporin as prescribed to you. Prevent the area from microorganisms by covering it. Hope your concern has been resolved. Get Well Soon. Best Wishes, Dr. Harry Maheshwari