How do I know if the suture is inflamed?

Medical sutures are used to approximate the edges of various and varied wounds, whether these wounds are the result of accidents, various injuries, or surgical operations, including cesarean sections. It is very important to properly care for the wound area to avoid infection.

Failure to pay attention to the cleanliness of the wound may lead to the appearance of many indicators that indicate the occurrence of infection, and among these indicators we may notice redness around the wound, bleeding, an unpleasant odor, noticeable heat in the area near the wound, enlargement of nearby lymph nodes, and the emergence of yellow or green secretions. the color. In addition, the patient may feel increasing pain at the site of the wound or when touching it, and he may also suffer from fever.

In the case of internal sutures, absorbable or dissolvable sutures are often used, which are made from materials that break down and dissolve over time inside the body. The risk of infection with internal sutures is lower than with external sutures. However, symptoms may appear that may be similar to those related to external stitches, such as a feeling of discomfort, high body temperature, swollen nearby lymph nodes, increased pain in the area of ​​the stitches, in addition to swelling, increased heat and redness of the skin over the affected area, and sometimes the emergence of a foul odor or discharge. Purulent discharge from the wound area.

Symptoms of natural birth suture infection

When talking about infections that occur at the suture site after natural birth, it must be noted that vaginal tears are considered one of the conditions that may occur during the birth process. Paying attention to treating these tears properly will help them heal within a period ranging from a week to ten days, thus preventing any infections. However, if the mother experiences inflammation in this area, there are certain signs that indicate this, including:

- Feeling feverish or high body temperature.
– The appearance of secretions from the affected area with an unpleasant odor.
- Increased feeling of pain around the area where the stitching was performed.
– Swelling and puffiness appear at the site of the wound.

Providing appropriate care and rapid medical intervention if these symptoms appear helps avoid exacerbation of inflammation and ensure better healing.

How is inflammation of the vaginal implants treated?

Dr. Adly Al-Haj, an expert in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, explains some important facts about stitches after natural birth:

It is very common for a woman to experience a tear in the vaginal tissue during the birth process, and this is most noticeable in the event of giving birth for the first time.
In some cases, the doctor may find it necessary to make a small incision in the vagina to help the child exit safely, when labor is prolonged, to avoid any danger that may threaten the child with suffocation.
The stitches placed by the doctor usually heal within a short period of about ten days after birth.
There are cases that require a little more or less time to heal depending on multiple factors that differ from one woman to another.

These tips highlight an important part of the natural birth process, and provide a basic understanding of what to expect regarding managing stitches after birth.

When do sutures heal after childbirth?

The wound healing period varies depending on the type of thread used for suturing after birth.

For stitching that occurs after a vaginal birth, healing depends on the size of the tear. Minor tears, such as first- and second-degree tears, usually heal within a week. More serious tears, such as third- and fourth-degree tears, may take at least three weeks to heal.

Self-absorbable sutures dissolve and disappear on their own within one to two weeks, without the need to visit a doctor to remove them, which makes mothers less concerned about a specific timetable for these sutures to fall out.

For cosmetic sutures, they usually heal within a few days, but pain can last for at least a week.

Symptoms indicating healing of the suture site

When a person is injured, this wound undergoes a healing process that goes through multiple stages, and each stage shows specific signs that differ from the others. It is important to differentiate these signs from evidence of wound infection.

Initially, swelling and redness appear around the wound, and this may last for up to six days due to the accumulation of defensive cells to protect the area from infection, and this is accompanied by a feeling of pain. This is followed by a stage in which the wound begins to heal, where one notices some hardness and small bumps may appear in the area surrounding the wound, with the possibility of feeling sharp stabbings from time to time due to the nerves beginning to heal.

This stage may take up to a month to complete. The final step in the healing process is the regeneration phase, where the wound takes from six months to two years for the skin to gradually regain its almost normal appearance.

Factors that increase the risk of suture site infection

To increase protection from the risk of infection in sutured wound areas, attention must be paid to several factors that can increase this risk. Among these factors we find the use of surgical instruments that are not well sterilized, and suturing wounds without first cleaning them properly. Also, the chances of infection increase if the wound has irregular edges or is deep.

Surgeries lasting more than two hours, people of advanced age, overweight individuals, diabetics, smokers, or people with weakened immune systems due to HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy are more susceptible to this type of Infections.

To reduce the possibility of infection occurring at the suture site, it is very important to follow some preventive guidelines and instructions, in addition to emphasizing the necessity of adhering to the directions issued by the doctor. It is highly recommended to quit smoking at least two weeks before the procedure. It is also important to tell the doctor your complete medical history, especially if the patient suffers from chronic diseases such as diabetes.

If you notice any symptoms indicating an infection or infection in the wound, you should inform your doctor immediately. It is recommended to avoid allowing others to touch the wound, keep the wound dry and clean, and consult with the doctor about the period during which one should refrain from bathing and swimming.

Avoid tampering with or scratching the stitches, in addition to avoiding sports activities that may require physical contact, such as football, until you obtain permission from the doctor. Finally, you must adhere to examination appointments with the doctor to evaluate the condition of the wound and remove the stitches if necessary.

Postpartum suture care

Postpartum health care includes the necessity of paying attention to the site of the wounds by suturing to ensure faster healing, alleviating associated pain, and preventing any infection or inflammation that may occur.

To maintain the safety and health of these wounds, the following instructions can be followed:

- Use a cold cloth, cooled in the refrigerator, to relieve the burning sensation and pain in the wound area.
It is recommended to wash the wound area with lukewarm water, especially after urinating, to help keep it clean and speed up healing.
Adding witch hazel to warm water is considered effective to soothe the affected area and stimulate its healing. Also, using a wound cream that contains chamomile may reduce inflammation due to its soothing properties.
It is preferable to use laxatives based on the recommendation of the doctor or pharmacist to reduce the pain associated with defecation.
Using pillows when sitting or lying down may provide reassurance and relieve pain in the suture area, especially while sitting in an upright position.

These tips help provide comfort and speed up the postpartum recovery process, enabling the mother to enjoy her time with her new baby happily and in good health.