Local anaesthetic for suturing

The clinician cleans the area and injects local anaesthetic into the skin around the wound. The injection can sting or burn briefly. As the medicine takes effect, the area becomes numb. You may still feel pressure, pulling, or movement while the wound is cleaned and closed, but tell the clinician if you feel sharp pain so the numbness can be checked and topped up if appropriate.

The clinician also assesses the wound’s depth, location, contamination, and effect on movement or feeling. Some wounds need more than stitches, and the safest closure method depends on those findings. Local anaesthetic usually allows you to stay awake and communicate during the repair.

Tell the clinician about allergies, previous reactions to local anaesthetic, regular medicines, and conditions that affect healing. Keep the area still while it is numb because you may not notice pressure, heat, or a new injury. Follow instructions for cleaning, dressing changes, keeping the wound dry, and returning for removal if the stitches are not dissolvable.

Do not pick at a scab or pull at thread. Keep the wound protected from rubbing and watch for changes. Ask when you can return to sport, lifting, swimming, or work, particularly if the wound crosses a joint or is on the hand.

Contact the treating service if the wound edges separate, bleeding does not settle with firm pressure, pain is increasing, or redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever develops. Seek urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding, loss of feeling or movement beyond the expected numbness, a severe allergic reaction, or an injury involving the eye, airway, or deep structures.

Ask how long numbness should last, how to protect the wound while sensation is reduced, which symptoms suggest infection, and when the stitches need review or removal. Confirm whether you need a dressing, pain relief, activity limits, or a follow-up appointment.