Forum Discussion

InkPetal's avatar
InkPetal
Member
10 years ago

Questions about stitches

23 March 2016:

I thought I'd write an update for anyone searching tags.

The stitches under my arm are still hanging in, and still very strong. A few days after the first post the area did start itching and last night they suddenly started causing pains shooting down my side whenever I moved my arm, which has become worse.

I saw a nurse today and she told me that the stitches hanging around are normal, the itching is normal, the blue to black colouring is normal, these new pains are too, and so it the strong desire to rip at it. I'm to keep massaging the area but definitely not pull at the odd jagged bumps, and if it's too much temptation or if I catch myself playing with them absent-minded I should cover it.

What's happened to cause this new shooting pain is that my nerves have finally healed themselves where the incision was made and I'm getting "excited" pain sensations from the area. It's relatively common and it's nothing to worry about. As treatment she has recommended Panadol and trying to keep the strain off for a couple of days.

 

7 March 2016:

I assume the stitches are the soluble kind that will dissolve by themselves because they weren't removed at the post surgery check-up for bandage removal (I have no experience with stitches of any kind before now) but there are stitch knots sticking out in places now that the swelling has gone down. Should I trim them?

I find I'm drawn to scratch at them despite their not being itchy and have unfortunately made myself bleed more than once. What should I do as care for these? I'm currently keeping them clean and covering them with small bandaids (mostly to stop me scratching them).

Has anyone else had this trouble and can anyone lend me some advice on this?

 

 

9 Replies

  • InkPetal's avatar
    InkPetal
    Member
    10 years ago

    :( I don't have a breast care nurse or any idea how to get one.

  • Kaossquid's avatar
    Kaossquid
    Member
    10 years ago

    I think any of the good organic pure vitamin e creams, in the past I've used a Palmers one, and also used a pure aloe vera gel when it was a hot day or getting a little itchy - kept that one in the fridge.  Pharmacist should be able to give you some good advice (and the BC nurses also a good source of info).

    Cheers

    Leonie

  • Aqua_sunrise's avatar
    Aqua_sunrise
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi

    I had a few untidy stitch ends as well,

    my oncology nurse snipped a couple at one appt,

    I managed to ignore the rest & they did just disappear,

    they may not have been as big as yours tho, just looked abit weird, 

    Hope this helps ??

  • Kaossquid's avatar
    Kaossquid
    Member
    10 years ago

    I had a few non-dissolvable, and some that were designed to dissolve - so I wouldn't trim (just in case they do need to get the ends with tweezers to remove), and I'd just suggest you give the surgeons reception a call and check with them, they should be able to tell you best approach and what needs to happen for yours.  :)  Less scratching is best, they'll scar more if you make them bleed - try a bit of vitamin cream to keep them from getting too itchy.

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    Keep a close eye on those spots. I had one little spot weeks later came up pussy all by itself. I squeezed the spot and cleaned it right out and swabbed with alcohol wipes. Yep it stung but it seemed to have dried it all up and no more troubles with it.