Most of us keep a medical emergency kit ready to use in our homes to be prepared for any emergency cuts, nicks, and burns. Anything more serious than these everyday wounds must be treated by a licensed doctor or a medical practitioner. Even though uncomplicated, the process is well defined.
Required Materials
The supplies listed here are easily available at every clinic or hospital. You may buy medical supplies at our online store and avail reasonable prices and timely delivery.
Needle (new)
Thread (silk, nylon). Alternatively, absorbable or non-absorbable sutures
Scissors (clean)
Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl)
Antiseptic lotion
Bandage
Sterile Gauze
Clean towels
Ice cubes (conditional)
Painkiller (preferably Ibuprofen)
Here is the process of stitching the wound:
1. Clean up and anesthetisation
Before beginning, the wound is cleaned with Betadine solution. Additionally, the practitioners make it a point to clean their hands to minimize the risk of infection. Next, you may be given Ibuprofen. Pain killers such as Aspirin are avoided since they also blood thinners. The latter inhibits clotting and may cause more complications. The skin around the wound may be iced if there is excessive swelling.
2. Supplies set up
A solid table is readied to keep everything at hand as per requirement. A towel may be placed under your affected body part.
3. Prepping the needle
The needle used to administer the stitches is threaded and sterilized. Next, it may be wiped in cotton or gauze that is dipped in rubbing alcohol. This keeps it sterile and cools it down. There are ready-to-use sutures available as well.
4. Sewing the wound
After pinching the skin along the wound using a pair of tissue forceps, the needle is pierced through the two sides of the wound, bringing the thread through the top and knotting it off by the side. Similar stitches are given through the length of the cut or laceration. These are individual stitches and help in holding the wound together more effectively than a single stitch.
5. Bandage the stitched wound
Once the entire wound is covered, anti-septic is applied over the site and it is bandaged properly. You may note that while the wound is usually stitched by a doctor, it may be bandaged by a nurse.
Aftercare
You will be advised to follow up within a few days for redressing the wound or changing it yourself regularly. Consult the doctor if there is any sign of tear, infection, or if unusual pain persists. Finally, check for signs of proper healing regularly. It must be noted that self-stitching is only for emergencies. You can easily check, let’s say nitrile gloves price in Indiaonline and other necessary supplies to buy and add them to your emergency kit.
