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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Having Rashes Around Stitches And How To Remove Them?

I have stitches in my forehead and have been coating them with Vaseline and covering it with gauze and washing and changing my dressing 2-3 times a day. After about 3 days I started to develop a rash on the area around the stitches. Why am I gettin this and what should I do to get rid of it?
Mon, 24 Nov 2014
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I will keep a possibility of Allergic Contact Dermatitis, probably to antiseptic liquid that you might be using for cleansing Or probably to antibiotic present in the dressing.
I would advice you to bring it to the notice of your treating doctor and eliminate the possible allergen.
Betadine is commonly used for cleansing the stitch site and is a common cause of sensitivity and so is Neosporin which is commonly incorporated in sterile dressings for wounds.
It is better to substitute Neosporin with another antibacterial e.g Mupirocin Or fusidic acid.
I would suggest an OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily for symptomatic relief from itching.
Topically you may use an OTC topical steroid e.g cortisone cream, on the irritated skin, away from the stitch site.

Regards
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Why Having Rashes Around Stitches And How To Remove Them?

Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic I will keep a possibility of Allergic Contact Dermatitis, probably to antiseptic liquid that you might be using for cleansing Or probably to antibiotic present in the dressing. I would advice you to bring it to the notice of your treating doctor and eliminate the possible allergen. Betadine is commonly used for cleansing the stitch site and is a common cause of sensitivity and so is Neosporin which is commonly incorporated in sterile dressings for wounds. It is better to substitute Neosporin with another antibacterial e.g Mupirocin Or fusidic acid. I would suggest an OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily for symptomatic relief from itching. Topically you may use an OTC topical steroid e.g cortisone cream, on the irritated skin, away from the stitch site. Regards