Stitch abscess??

Disclaimer: Content may make you queasy, so please DON'T READ THIS IF YOU ARE EATING!!

Ok, just need to hear it from the "pros" about this one..........

I am feeling GREAT and continue to be without complaint (thus far)...however....here is the deal....

Tonight, the upper punch hole (near my Xiphoid process) was itchy. I had noted after my shower 2 days ago, that there was a tiny little "tail" sticking out of the incision. It was clear that it was a stitch. The incision is healed and had a tiny lump so I am pretty sure it was an undissolved stitch. I trimmed the piece back because it wouldn't come free....I know, it sounds bad, but it was sticking out. From there...no problems.

Back to tonight...it is itchy and a tiny little bit of purulent material came out of it (pus). Ok...I need to LEAVE IT ALONE!!! If it were one of my patients, I would tell them it was probably a little infected stitch that didn't dissolve but....I am needing to hear it from you all. Did any of you have any undissolved stitches? Did it just go away? Did you need to have it incised??

So, I am sitting here after thoroughly cleaning it with Hydrogen Peroxide. I put some Neosporin over the stitch and a bandaid for tonight..and I have a heating pad on to see if that will help. I am due to see my MD in 9 days but I will call and advise him tomorrow in case he wants to see me earlier......

I hope I didn't jinx myself when I told a friend how WONDERFUL I was doing the other day and I need your fingers crossed that this will settle down and just go away!! I am just worried that the incision will open up and create a bigger scar....


Connie

I had some major issues with my stitches healing. Mostly it was my port site. It kept breaking open I suppose because it was on the fat roll around my mid section so every move stretched it a different direction. But I had a few undissolved stitches there and they continued to drain for a little over 2 weeks. I called the MD, took these pictures an emailed them to the office. They were not concerned and said since it wasn't feverish, red or funky, I shouldn't be concerned either. I continued to trim the ends of the stitches, keep it clean and changed the bandages daily.

Around day 12 I tugged one of the stitches loose. I don't recommend that, but it healed up within a day or so after.

This was what it looked like on day 9.

Connie,

I didn't have that problem with any of my band surgery incisions, but my breast reduction incisions were another matter.  For one thing, those incisions were extensive...like, 16" laterally plus the vertical incisions and around my nipples...so, at a few spots, suture material stuck out and I kept picking at it...I went back to the surgeon and his assistant trimmed everything...but more stuff kept popping out, and I would not leave it alone...It didn't matter that I doused everything with hydrogen peroxide...I ended up having to pack the gaping spots with sterile material....this went on for months.  Nothing got infected, but as a result of my interference, my scars are wide and ugly at the spots where I worked at them.

Maybe you need to wear some thin cotton gloves for a while?

Jean

It's really not a good idea to use peroxide on a wound, it is very caustic and it will kill off new tissue growth.  IOW, it won't heal.

Wounds from surgery often times heal from the inside out, it is normal to have a little bit of gunk in there and if you push on it a verrrry small amount of gross stuff should come out.  If more than a bit comes out or continues draining, you need to see your doc.

Are you an RN?

Yes MWG, I am an RN and for the last 25 years actually. Although I realize that Hydrogen Peroxide had been used in the past, I am aware of the potential effects to skin cells.

In my post, I did not add that it was the only antiseptic I had available and was mixed with 2/3 water to 1/3 of the peroxide. It is NOT an open wound and will not due any harm for its one time use. It was simply to cleanse the area but surely, plain old soap and water would have been sufficient.

A one time use with not cause any cytotoxic reaction to my skin cells, but I thank you for your concern.

Connie

Connie,

Pay no attention to MWG.  She is an expert in everything but, as far as I can tell, trained and experienced in nothing.

Jean

LOL...it is okay Jean....I was just sensing she thought I was a little coo-coo and although I am a little nutty, I think I am a pretty darn good nurse (and mother, and sister, and friend....blah, blah...boosting myself a little). 

I admit I sure as heck don't know it all, but then again..who does?? I just appreciate the KIND and USEFUL information from the majority of posters. Which, by the way, the thin cotton gloves are a grand idea!!

Hey, side note...when the Bali bras go on sale again, will you let me know?? LOL!! This one has seen its final days......

Connie