Removing stitches is a straightforward process that involves cutting the thread on one side of a knot and pulling the suture out. Most stitches are removed by a healthcare provider in a quick, low-pain appointment that takes just a few minutes. While some people do remove their own stitches at home, understanding the timing, technique, and risks will help you avoid reopening the wound or causing infection.
When Stitches Should Come Out
Timing depends almost entirely on where the wound is located. Skin on different parts of your body heals at different speeds, and leaving stitches in too long can cause them to embed in the skin, leading to scarring and irritation. Taking them out too early risks the wound splitting open again.
General timelines by location:
- Face: 5 days
- Scalp: 5 days
- Trunk (chest, abdomen, back): 7 to 10 days
- Arms and legs: 7 to 10 days
Stitches over joints like knees, elbows, or knuckles often stay closer to the 10-day mark or even longer because those areas move constantly and the wound is under more tension. Your provider may also place adhesive strips across the wound after removal to give it extra support for a few more days, especially in high-movement areas.
Dissolvable vs. Non-Dissolvable Stitches
Not all stitches need to be removed. Dissolvable (absorbable) stitches break down on their own and are commonly used for internal layers of tissue, mouth wounds, or areas that are difficult to access for a follow-up visit. Depending on the material, they can take anywhere from 42 days to over 200 days to fully dissolve. You may notice small pieces of thread poking through the skin as they break down, which is normal.
Non-dissolvable stitches are the ones that require removal. They’re typically made of nylon or polypropylene, hold their strength indefinitely, and will not dissolve if left in place. If you’re unsure which type you have, check your discharge paperwork or call the office that placed them.
What the Removal Process Looks Like
A standard suture removal kit contains small, sharp scissors (called Littauer scissors), fine-tipped forceps for gripping, an alcohol or antiseptic prep pad, and a gauze sponge. In a clinical setting, the process takes about five minutes and goes like this:
The area around the wound is cleaned with an antiseptic wipe. Using the forceps, one side of the knot is gently lifted away from the skin to expose the thread underneath. The scissors are slid beneath the suture, right at the skin surface, and the thread is cut. Then the entire suture is pulled through the skin in one smooth motion, always pulling toward the wound (not away from it) to avoid putting stress on the healing tissue. This is repeated for each stitch.
Most people describe the sensation as a light tugging or pinching rather than actual pain. Stitches that have been left in slightly too long may feel tighter and more uncomfortable to remove because the skin begins to grow around the thread.
Removing Stitches at Home
At least one clinical study found that complication rates were similar between patients who removed their own non-absorbable sutures and those who had them removed by a professional. That said, self-removal carries real risks if done incorrectly, including wound reopening (dehiscence) and leaving a fragment of thread trapped under the skin.
If you’re considering doing it yourself, a few things need to be true first. The wound should look fully closed with no gaps, redness spreading outward, swelling, or drainage. You should be within the appropriate removal window for the wound’s location. And you need properly sharp, sterile tools. Dull scissors or household tweezers make the process harder and increase the chance of tugging the wound open or snapping the thread and leaving a piece behind.
To do it safely: wash your hands thoroughly, clean the wound and surrounding skin with rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic wipe, grip the knot with sterilized fine-point tweezers, slide a small sharp scissor blade under the suture loop right at the skin, cut once, and pull the suture out gently toward the wound line. Never cut the suture in more than one place, because that creates a short segment that can slip beneath the skin and become trapped. Count your stitches before and after to make sure you’ve removed them all.
Signs You Should Not Remove Them Yet
If the wound edges are still separating when you gently press near them, the tissue hasn’t healed enough. Redness and pain around the site, cloudy or discolored fluid draining from the wound, or fever are all signs of a possible surgical site infection. In those cases, the stitches may need to stay in longer, or the wound may need medical attention before removal.
A retained piece of suture thread can cause problems ranging from a small, persistent lump to recurring infections and abscesses. Symptoms typically include localized pain, a palpable hard spot under the skin, or repeated swelling at the wound site. These issues can show up weeks or even months later. If caught early (within about two weeks), retrieval is usually simple. Chronic cases may require imaging to locate the fragment.
Caring for the Wound After Removal
Once the stitches are out, the wound is no longer being mechanically held together. The scar tissue underneath is still maturing, and for the next several weeks it remains weaker than the surrounding skin. You can wash the area with mild soap and water 24 hours after removal and gently pat it dry with a clean cloth. Avoid soaking the wound in baths, pools, or hot tubs until the skin is fully sealed and any remaining scabbing has resolved.
If adhesive strips (Steri-Strips) were placed over the wound after removal, leave them in place until they peel off on their own. You can shower with them on, but don’t pull or rub them. They typically fall off within 5 to 10 days.
To minimize scarring, keep the area out of direct sunlight. UV exposure on fresh scar tissue causes it to darken permanently. Silicone-based scar sheets or tape, applied daily for several months, can help flatten and soften the scar. For wounds on the trunk or limbs, avoiding strenuous activity that stretches the area for at least a few weeks reduces the chance of the scar widening. High-tension locations like the chest and shoulders are especially prone to thick or raised scars, and some providers recommend limiting heavy activity affecting those sites for much longer.