What should you know about infected stitches?

A healing wound can be tender at first, but worsening rather than settling symptoms deserve attention. Infection may involve redness that spreads beyond the wound, increasing heat, swelling, throbbing pain, pus-like fluid, an unpleasant smell, fever, or feeling unwell. These signs are not confirmed by appearance alone; a clinician may need to examine the wound and the suture line.

Contact the treating clinic or another medical service for advice when infection is suspected. Keep the area covered as instructed, wash your hands before touching it, and avoid squeezing, scratching, or removing stitches yourself. Do not start leftover antibiotics or apply harsh antiseptics without medical advice. Note when the change began and whether the redness, pain, or drainage is increasing.

Arrange same-day assessment for spreading redness, worsening pain, pus-like drainage, fever, wound separation, or red streaking from the wound. Seek urgent help if you feel faint or severely unwell, have rapidly increasing swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, new numbness, or difficulty moving the nearby area.

Ask whether the wound needs cleaning, a dressing change, a swab, medication, or altered suture care. Confirm whether the stitches should stay in place, when review is needed, and which symptoms should send you back sooner.