MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
getting stitches out
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

getting stitches out

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › getting stitches out

  • Post
    • August 28, 2014 at 1:51 am
    Brigitte
    Participant

      I had a conseratvie excision on my back. Yesterday I got the stiches out, and was told I didn't have to do any wound care. The area still feels raw and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help it heal faster? I dont really want to put valsine on it. 

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 28, 2014 at 2:13 am
        Kristin_22
        Participant

          I just had a wide excision about 4 weeks ago on my right mid back. The incision was about 6.5 inches long. I kept it covered the entire time and used prescription antibiotic ointment on the stitches. They came out at two weeks and I continued to keep the incision covered until about the 22nd post-surgery day. It is much better now. I'm happy I kept the wound covered and it is healing pretty well. 

          • August 28, 2014 at 2:13 am
          Kristin_22
          Participant

            I just had a wide excision about 4 weeks ago on my right mid back. The incision was about 6.5 inches long. I kept it covered the entire time and used prescription antibiotic ointment on the stitches. They came out at two weeks and I continued to keep the incision covered until about the 22nd post-surgery day. It is much better now. I'm happy I kept the wound covered and it is healing pretty well. 

              • August 28, 2014 at 12:31 pm
              Brigitte
              Participant

                That sounds like the best thing to do, but I cant imaine keeping it covered anymore. The bandages were making my skin raw. Ive tried coconut oil but it burns a little. I guess I could keep going with the vasiline, but Im not a big fan of vasiline. 

                • August 28, 2014 at 1:47 pm
                Gene_S
                Participant

                  Hello,

                  Coconut oil has healing proporties and vaseline has none.

                  • August 28, 2014 at 1:47 pm
                  Gene_S
                  Participant

                    Hello,

                    Coconut oil has healing proporties and vaseline has none.

                    • August 28, 2014 at 1:47 pm
                    Gene_S
                    Participant

                      Hello,

                      Coconut oil has healing proporties and vaseline has none.

                      • August 28, 2014 at 3:20 pm
                      Brigitte
                      Participant

                        Thanks…. I think I will try the coconut oil instead of the vaseline. 

                         

                        • August 28, 2014 at 3:20 pm
                        Brigitte
                        Participant

                          Thanks…. I think I will try the coconut oil instead of the vaseline. 

                           

                          • August 28, 2014 at 3:42 pm
                          Gene_S
                          Participant

                            I just wanted to mention make sure it is coconut oil and not coconut oil in a lotion.  It really shouldn't burn.

                            • August 28, 2014 at 3:42 pm
                            Gene_S
                            Participant

                              I just wanted to mention make sure it is coconut oil and not coconut oil in a lotion.  It really shouldn't burn.

                              • August 28, 2014 at 4:57 pm
                              Brigitte
                              Participant

                                Ok thanks! 

                                 

                                • August 28, 2014 at 4:57 pm
                                Brigitte
                                Participant

                                  Ok thanks! 

                                   

                                  • August 28, 2014 at 4:57 pm
                                  Brigitte
                                  Participant

                                    Ok thanks! 

                                     

                                    • August 28, 2014 at 3:42 pm
                                    Gene_S
                                    Participant

                                      I just wanted to mention make sure it is coconut oil and not coconut oil in a lotion.  It really shouldn't burn.

                                      • August 28, 2014 at 3:20 pm
                                      Brigitte
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks…. I think I will try the coconut oil instead of the vaseline. 

                                         

                                        • August 30, 2014 at 4:09 pm
                                        Kristin_22
                                        Participant

                                          I also experienced more misery from the adhesive rash/welt than I did from the actual incision. About a week post-surgery, I was actually ripping off bits of skin so I also had to deal with the scabs from that as well as the sutures. I

                                          managed that by varying the size of the bandages. Sometimes a huge one to get as far away from any other welts and sometimes one with just a tiny bit of adhesive as close to the incision as I could get. My incision was about 8" long so a fair amt of skin was affected. Make sure you are using paper tape. I also found relief from tape provided by the surgeon called Hypafix, but it was tough to find and also caused a reaction about the third or fourth day of use. 

                                           

                                          Thankfully, I'm four weeks out now and no longer need it covered. It's healing rather well. I used coconut oil on it and it helped. Also used cortizone cream for the worst of the itching but it hampered the stickiness of the bandages. A friend gave me some Frankincense  essential oil which I mixed with the coconut oil. It was pretty remarkable how quickly it helped. You might research the benefits of the Frankinsense. 

                                           

                                          Hope you're feeling better. Kristin

                                          • August 30, 2014 at 4:09 pm
                                          Kristin_22
                                          Participant

                                            I also experienced more misery from the adhesive rash/welt than I did from the actual incision. About a week post-surgery, I was actually ripping off bits of skin so I also had to deal with the scabs from that as well as the sutures. I

                                            managed that by varying the size of the bandages. Sometimes a huge one to get as far away from any other welts and sometimes one with just a tiny bit of adhesive as close to the incision as I could get. My incision was about 8" long so a fair amt of skin was affected. Make sure you are using paper tape. I also found relief from tape provided by the surgeon called Hypafix, but it was tough to find and also caused a reaction about the third or fourth day of use. 

                                             

                                            Thankfully, I'm four weeks out now and no longer need it covered. It's healing rather well. I used coconut oil on it and it helped. Also used cortizone cream for the worst of the itching but it hampered the stickiness of the bandages. A friend gave me some Frankincense  essential oil which I mixed with the coconut oil. It was pretty remarkable how quickly it helped. You might research the benefits of the Frankinsense. 

                                             

                                            Hope you're feeling better. Kristin

                                            • August 31, 2014 at 2:31 am
                                            Janner
                                            Participant

                                              In the future, search for a barrier wipe.  The one I currently have is Skin-Prep but there are others.  Wipe the area before applying tape.  Works MUCH better.  I had to tell my derm about this but wound care nurses know all about this stuff.  Makes a huge difference on anything skin and tape related as I'm allergic to all the adhesives.

                                              • August 31, 2014 at 2:31 am
                                              Janner
                                              Participant

                                                In the future, search for a barrier wipe.  The one I currently have is Skin-Prep but there are others.  Wipe the area before applying tape.  Works MUCH better.  I had to tell my derm about this but wound care nurses know all about this stuff.  Makes a huge difference on anything skin and tape related as I'm allergic to all the adhesives.

                                                • August 31, 2014 at 2:31 am
                                                Janner
                                                Participant

                                                  In the future, search for a barrier wipe.  The one I currently have is Skin-Prep but there are others.  Wipe the area before applying tape.  Works MUCH better.  I had to tell my derm about this but wound care nurses know all about this stuff.  Makes a huge difference on anything skin and tape related as I'm allergic to all the adhesives.

                                                  • August 30, 2014 at 4:09 pm
                                                  Kristin_22
                                                  Participant

                                                    I also experienced more misery from the adhesive rash/welt than I did from the actual incision. About a week post-surgery, I was actually ripping off bits of skin so I also had to deal with the scabs from that as well as the sutures. I

                                                    managed that by varying the size of the bandages. Sometimes a huge one to get as far away from any other welts and sometimes one with just a tiny bit of adhesive as close to the incision as I could get. My incision was about 8" long so a fair amt of skin was affected. Make sure you are using paper tape. I also found relief from tape provided by the surgeon called Hypafix, but it was tough to find and also caused a reaction about the third or fourth day of use. 

                                                     

                                                    Thankfully, I'm four weeks out now and no longer need it covered. It's healing rather well. I used coconut oil on it and it helped. Also used cortizone cream for the worst of the itching but it hampered the stickiness of the bandages. A friend gave me some Frankincense  essential oil which I mixed with the coconut oil. It was pretty remarkable how quickly it helped. You might research the benefits of the Frankinsense. 

                                                     

                                                    Hope you're feeling better. Kristin

                                                    • August 28, 2014 at 12:31 pm
                                                    Brigitte
                                                    Participant

                                                      That sounds like the best thing to do, but I cant imaine keeping it covered anymore. The bandages were making my skin raw. Ive tried coconut oil but it burns a little. I guess I could keep going with the vasiline, but Im not a big fan of vasiline. 

                                                      • August 28, 2014 at 12:31 pm
                                                      Brigitte
                                                      Participant

                                                        That sounds like the best thing to do, but I cant imaine keeping it covered anymore. The bandages were making my skin raw. Ive tried coconut oil but it burns a little. I guess I could keep going with the vasiline, but Im not a big fan of vasiline. 

                                                      • August 28, 2014 at 2:13 am
                                                      Kristin_22
                                                      Participant

                                                        I just had a wide excision about 4 weeks ago on my right mid back. The incision was about 6.5 inches long. I kept it covered the entire time and used prescription antibiotic ointment on the stitches. They came out at two weeks and I continued to keep the incision covered until about the 22nd post-surgery day. It is much better now. I'm happy I kept the wound covered and it is healing pretty well. 

                                                        • August 29, 2014 at 11:24 pm
                                                        DZnDef
                                                        Participant

                                                          Another option to consider instead of Vasiline is Bag Balm.  My Dad had recurring basal cell carcinomas that needed to be cut out every six months.  He would refuse stitches and instead clean the open wound with hydrogen peroxide (sp?) and remove any scabbing daily and then cover it with Bag Balm.  They took longer to heal this way, but when they finally healed there was no scarring.  Just normal skin.

                                                          • August 29, 2014 at 11:24 pm
                                                          DZnDef
                                                          Participant

                                                            Another option to consider instead of Vasiline is Bag Balm.  My Dad had recurring basal cell carcinomas that needed to be cut out every six months.  He would refuse stitches and instead clean the open wound with hydrogen peroxide (sp?) and remove any scabbing daily and then cover it with Bag Balm.  They took longer to heal this way, but when they finally healed there was no scarring.  Just normal skin.

                                                              • August 30, 2014 at 12:22 am
                                                              Resilient4Life
                                                              Participant

                                                                Hello Brigette,

                                                                Equinox Botanicals makes a product called The Golden Salve with propolis. Some health food stores or Co-ops sell small tins (o.25oz) for around $5.

                                                                http://www.equinoxbotanicals.com/our-products/the-golden-salve/golden-salve-medium

                                                                The ingredients are: Olive Safflower & Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Propolis, Calendula Flower, Yellowdock Root, Balm of Gilead Bud, Comfrey Root and Goldenseal Root. The color is a medium amber, and it has a faint odor which I can't quite describe. I've used this after minor surgeries with my PCP's blessing. Both my biopsy sites were treated with this as well and healed up fine. I agree with the previous poster to clean with hydrogen peroxide first. Coconut oil in its purest form  will work well too.

                                                                Clean and treat twice a day. Hope you heal well.

                                                                 

                                                                • August 30, 2014 at 12:22 am
                                                                Resilient4Life
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Hello Brigette,

                                                                  Equinox Botanicals makes a product called The Golden Salve with propolis. Some health food stores or Co-ops sell small tins (o.25oz) for around $5.

                                                                  http://www.equinoxbotanicals.com/our-products/the-golden-salve/golden-salve-medium

                                                                  The ingredients are: Olive Safflower & Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Propolis, Calendula Flower, Yellowdock Root, Balm of Gilead Bud, Comfrey Root and Goldenseal Root. The color is a medium amber, and it has a faint odor which I can't quite describe. I've used this after minor surgeries with my PCP's blessing. Both my biopsy sites were treated with this as well and healed up fine. I agree with the previous poster to clean with hydrogen peroxide first. Coconut oil in its purest form  will work well too.

                                                                  Clean and treat twice a day. Hope you heal well.

                                                                   

                                                                  • August 30, 2014 at 12:22 am
                                                                  Resilient4Life
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Hello Brigette,

                                                                    Equinox Botanicals makes a product called The Golden Salve with propolis. Some health food stores or Co-ops sell small tins (o.25oz) for around $5.

                                                                    http://www.equinoxbotanicals.com/our-products/the-golden-salve/golden-salve-medium

                                                                    The ingredients are: Olive Safflower & Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Propolis, Calendula Flower, Yellowdock Root, Balm of Gilead Bud, Comfrey Root and Goldenseal Root. The color is a medium amber, and it has a faint odor which I can't quite describe. I've used this after minor surgeries with my PCP's blessing. Both my biopsy sites were treated with this as well and healed up fine. I agree with the previous poster to clean with hydrogen peroxide first. Coconut oil in its purest form  will work well too.

                                                                    Clean and treat twice a day. Hope you heal well.

                                                                     

                                                                  • August 29, 2014 at 11:24 pm
                                                                  DZnDef
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Another option to consider instead of Vasiline is Bag Balm.  My Dad had recurring basal cell carcinomas that needed to be cut out every six months.  He would refuse stitches and instead clean the open wound with hydrogen peroxide (sp?) and remove any scabbing daily and then cover it with Bag Balm.  They took longer to heal this way, but when they finally healed there was no scarring.  Just normal skin.

                                                                Viewing 5 reply threads
                                                                • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                                                About the MRF Patient Forum

                                                                The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                                                The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                                                Popular Topics