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Symptom Checker

Looking After Stitches

Stitches, or sutures, are used to hold the edges of a wound together while the skin heals. The wound may remain mildly sore or swollen for a short time after repair.

Cuts from sharp objects, falls, accidents and other injuries may need stitches when they are deep or widely open. Surgical incisions can also be closed with stitches.

Call a nurse All symptoms

AAP Guide to Looking After Stitches

The AAP guide below explains daily care, bathing, removal timing and signs of infection.

AAP Symptom CheckerStitches

If the Symptom Checker does not appear here

It is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ own tool and it loads from their site, so a lost connection or a content blocker leaves this space empty. Open it on HealthyChildren.org with the button below, or call your office and a nurse will answer.

Open on HealthyChildren.org

Symptom CheckerStitches New tab

When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

  • Redness, swelling or pain keeps increasing.
  • Pus or other drainage appears.
  • The wound opens or stitches break.
  • Your child develops fever.
  • You are unsure when the stitches should be removed.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

  • Bleeding is heavy and cannot be controlled.
  • The wound opens widely after a serious injury.
  • Your child has another life-threatening emergency.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

More on knocks, pain and injuries

See the rest of this group and all 164 symptoms