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Your Healing JourneyDay 0 — Discharge
Wound closure at the ED
First dressing applied by the medical team. Keep it dry and intact for 24-48 hours.
Day 1–2 → Suture Removal
Daily dressing changes
Follow the dressing protocol: wash, antiseptic spray, apply new dressing.
Suture removal
Wound Clinic at SKMC
Face/Neck: 5–7 days
Scalp/Hand: 7–10 days
Lower limbs/Joints: 10–14 days
Vicryl Rapide → no visit needed
Scalp/Hand: 7–10 days
Lower limbs/Joints: 10–14 days
Vicryl Rapide → no visit needed
After suture removal
Start scar massage
Begin self-massage with your doctor's approval. 10 minutes, twice daily. Apply SPF 50+ after each session.
Day 5 or Day 10
Follow-up consultation
Peri-orificial & paediatric: Day 5-10 → Plastic Surgery, SKMC.
Adults (standard): Day 10 → Family Medicine.
Adults (standard): Day 10 → Family Medicine.
Protect the scar from sun — apply SPF 50+ daily for at least 12 months.
⚠️ Return to the Emergency Department if:
Fever above 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Expanding redness around the wound
Pus or foul-smelling discharge
Active bleeding not stopping after 15 min
Numbness or loss of movement
Wound opening or increasing pain after Day 2
✅
Normal — No need to worryMild bruising or yellowish discoloration
Slight pinkness at wound edges
Mild itching during healing (good sign!)
Mild pain manageable with paracetamol
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Daily Dressing Protocol1
Wash your hands thoroughly.
2
Wash the wound with gentle cleanser during shower.
e.g. Cicaplast B5 Gel or equivalent3
Rinse carefully with clean water.
4
Dry with clean towel — pat gently. Sterile gauze for first 4 days.
5
Spray antiseptic, dry with gauze.
e.g. Clinisept+ or equivalent6
Apply self-adhesive dressing.
e.g. Mepilex Border or equivalent📌 If you have Steri-Strips
Do not remove them. Leave in place for 5 days after suture. They fall off naturally or are removed at the Wound Clinic.
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Suture Removal Schedule| Location | Removal |
|---|---|
| Face / Neck | 5–7 days |
| Scalp / Hand | 7–10 days |
| Lower Limbs / Joints | 10–14 days |
ℹ️ Vicryl Rapide only → no Wound Clinic visit required.
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Recommended ProductsSuggestions only — ask your pharmacist for alternatives.
🧼 Gentle Soothing Cleanser
Soap-free formula for wound washing.
e.g. Cicaplast B5 Gel or equivalent💦 Aqueous Antiseptic Spray
Non-cytotoxic wound antiseptic.
e.g. Clinisept+ Spray 100 mL🩹 Self-Adhesive Silicone Dressing
Gentle, atraumatic removal.
e.g. Mepilex Border Flex📌 Steri-Strips
Leave 5 days. Reinforce wound closure.
e.g. 3M Steri-Strip🧴 Repairing Moisturizer
Fragrance-free. Apply before massage.
e.g. Cicaplast Baume B5☀️ Sunscreen SPF 50+
Daily on scar for 12+ months.
Any broad-spectrum SPF 50+💆
Scar Self-MassageBegin after suture removal, with your doctor's approval. Perform without separating wound edges.
10 minutes · 2 times daily
Preparation
1
Wash your hands
2
Clean scar with soap-free cleanser. Pat dry.
3
Apply fragrance-free repairing moisturizer.
e.g. Cicaplast Baume B5 or equivalent🤲
Massage Technique — 4 Steps1
Press and make small circles. Skin moves under fingers.
2
Up-and-down, then reverse.
3
Side-to-side: left to right, then reverse.
4
After 2 months: Gently lift scar from tissues.
Remarks: Avoid sliding fingers. Increase pressure until skin blanches. SPF 50+ after each session.