Have you also been injured and had to get stitches? (Stitches) - Let's talk about this in detail!

We all get some kind of injury from childhood. Sometimes it can be a small scratch, but sometimes it can be a bit more serious. Imagine, you fell off your bike while playing, or you slipped while climbing a tree... At that time, your chin or knee can be slightly cracked. That's when some children, and sometimes adults, especially on the face, chin, arms, or legs, have to get 'stitches'. What are these stitches, why are they put in, how do you take care of them, and do they hurt? Today we'll talk about the answers to all your questions, okay?

What are stitches? Why do we need them?

Simply put, stitches are a special type of thread used to hold the two sides of a wound on your skin together. It's like sewing clothes, but this is done by a doctor. Small scratches are not stitched. But if it's a larger, deeper wound, it won't heal on its own, so stitches are used to bring the two sides of the wound together. Imagine if you fell while playing and hit your head, or stepped on something sharp... that hurts, right? That's when stitches are needed. Sometimes, even after an operation, that is, a ``Surgery'', the doctor uses stitches to close the wound. We call such a cut made intentionally by a doctor an ``Incision''.

So, the main purpose of these stitches is to hold the two sides of the wound together, help it heal quickly and beautifully, and reduce the risk of a large scar.

The two sides of the wound are brought together, and the doctor ties a knot with the thread. Then it stays that way until the skin heals. There are many types of these threads that doctors use. We call these ``Sutures``. Some are made of ``Nylon``, some are made of ``Silk``, and some are made of dissolvable materials like ``Vicryl``. There are dissolvable stitches like ``Vicryl``, which are absorbed into the skin. So they don't need to be cut again. These are often used for wounds on the lips, face, or inside the mouth.

Are there only stitches? What other ways are there to close wounds?

Not all wounds require stitches. Sometimes doctors use other methods to close the wound. Let's see what they are.

• Skin Glue: Imagine you have a flat wound, not too deep or wide, on your forehead. Your doctor will probably use a special type of glue called Skin Glue to seal the wound. This is basically a special type of glue that holds the edges of the wound together. This will also dissolve on its own after 7-10 days. It's very easy, isn't it? You don't even need to get stitches.

• Butterfly Bandage / Steri-strips: For some small, shallow wounds, doctors use a type of small adhesive tape. These are called butterfly bandages or steri-strips. These tapes are used to hold the two sides of the wound together for a few days. These often come off on their own, like when you take a shower. These are used for very small wounds.

How does a doctor put stitches in? You don't know if it hurts, right?

If you need stitches, a nurse or an assistant will first apply a numbing gel to your wound. After a while, once the area is numb, they will start cleaning your wound. They use sterile water. The water is injected into the wound to remove any germs and dirt. You may be thinking, "Oh, I don't know if this will hurt." But actually, you won't feel much pain while cleaning and stitching the wound.

Sometimes, a small needle is used to inject a liquid numbing medicine called ``Local Anesthetic'' into the skin. We call this ``Anaesthetics''. This medicine numbs the area completely, so you don't feel any pain. It's like a dentist numbing your mouth to fill a tooth. So it's easier than you think, right? Doctors are very good at this, so there's no need to be afraid.

Then the doctor will check to see if the object that caused the injury – think something like a piece of glass – is still inside the wound. If there is anything like that, they will remove it too. Because if it is inside, the wound could become infected.

Next, the doctor uses a very small needle and stitches your wound with the sutures. Even though the area is numb, you may feel a slight pulling sensation as the doctor pulls the stitches. But there is no pain. This is how stitches are put in after an operation. But then you don't feel anything, because you are unconscious! Do you understand?

How do you properly care for your stitches after they are placed?

After your wound is stitched, your doctor will tell you how to care for it. It is very important to follow these instructions exactly, with the help of an adult. The care instructions for each type of stitch – i.e. sutures, skin glue, butterfly bandage – may vary.

The doctor will often tell you to keep your wound moist for a day or two. It is not good to let water get into most stitches. Do you know why? If the wound gets wet, there is a greater chance of germs entering and causing an infection. It can also delay the wound from healing. Therefore, it is very important to keep the wound moist until your doctor tells you to.

For some sutured wounds, it is recommended to apply an antiseptic cream or antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage to prevent infection. However, there is skin glue on the skin, so it is not a good idea to apply ointment to it. Another important thing is, even if the stitches are broken, do not pull or touch them. You should never try to remove the stitches yourself, right? Doing so can cause the wound to open again or become infected.

Danger signs! If you see these, tell the doctor immediately

If you feel or see anything like this, you and your parents should definitely see a doctor right away:

• If a stitch seems to be broken or loose.
• If the area where the wound is is hot, red, or swollen.
• If a thick, yellow or green fluid, called pus, is coming out of the wound, it is usually a sign of an infection.
• If there is unbearable pain at the site of the injury, or if the pain is getting worse.
• If the skin around the wound has become red and streaky.
• If you have a fever.

Symptoms like these may indicate that the wound is infected. If that happens, you need to seek treatment immediately. Otherwise, the condition may become serious.

Let's learn about sewing.

There are those types of stitches called ``Dissolving Stitches'', ``Skin Glue'', and ``Butterfly Bandage'', which either dissolve or fall off on their own. There is nothing to worry about. But other types of stitches need to be removed by a doctor or nurse.

If you look at how to remove these, the doctor will cut a little bit from where the stitches are and pull the little piece of thread out. You will feel a little pulling, but it won't hurt. Don't worry. It takes much less time to remove the stitches than to put them in. Your skin will be better after the stitches are removed! Sometimes the doctor will tell you how many days to come back to have the stitches removed. It's best to go on the day you're told.

How do you take care of your skin after stitches? Will the scar shrink?

Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for your skin after the stitches are removed. Keep these things in mind:

• It is recommended to avoid direct sunlight on the injured area for a while. The newly formed skin is very sensitive and can easily get sunburned.
• It is recommended to apply sunscreen every time you go out. This is very important, because sunlight can darken scars, making them more visible. It is best to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
• Your doctor may also prescribe a special cream called ``Scar Cream'' to help reduce scars. When using these, follow your doctor's instructions.
• Also, even after the wound heals, the skin in that area may be a little sensitive. So be careful before suddenly applying unfamiliar soaps and lotions. If you have any concerns, tell your doctor.
• You can scratch the wound a little while it heals. But avoid scratching. Scratching can damage the new skin and make the scar bigger.

If you take care of it properly, after a while it will be hard to find where your wound was. The most important thing is that your skin heals completely! Not all scars will go away completely, but they will fade to a great extent over time.

The most important things for you to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so we've talked a lot about stitches today. Keep this in mind:

• Sutures help a lot in healing large wounds quickly, healing beautifully, and reducing the formation of large scars.
• After the stitches are placed , it is very, very important to take care of the wound exactly as the doctor tells you. This can help prevent infection and help it heal faster.
• If the wound becomes red, swollen, feels hot, or oozes pus, it could be a sign of an infection. If this happens , you should see a doctor right away .
• Stitches other than dissolvable stitches should only be removed by a doctor. Never try to remove them yourself.
• If you take good care of your skin after the stitches are removed, especially if you protect it from the sun, the scars will gradually fade.

Don't worry, stitches are just a way to help you heal faster and protect your skin! So, the next time you need stitches, you now know what to expect.

` Sutures, wounds, skin protection, first aid, dissolvable sutures, wound care, scars