From the Guidelines
You should wait at least 48 hours after getting subcuticular sutures before taking a bath, as recommended by the World Health Organization's guidelines for preventing surgical site infections 1. During this initial period, keep the wound dry and clean to allow the incision to begin healing and forming a protective barrier. After 48 hours, brief showers are generally safe, but you should avoid soaking the wound in a bath, hot tub, or swimming pool for at least 7-10 days. Subcuticular sutures are placed beneath the skin surface, making them more protected than external stitches, but the wound still needs time to seal properly. When you do shower, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, pat it dry (don't rub), and apply any prescribed ointment or dressing as directed by your healthcare provider. Some studies suggest that using a nonsoap cleanser and applying a bland emollient after bathing can help improve skin hydration and skin barrier function 1. However, the primary concern is preventing surgical site infections, and the most recent and highest quality study recommends keeping the wound dry for at least 48 hours 1. Watch for signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever, which would require medical attention. The specific healing time can vary based on the location and size of the wound, so follow your doctor's personalized instructions if they differ from these general guidelines. Key points to consider when caring for your wound include:
- Keeping the wound dry for at least 48 hours
- Avoiding soaking the wound in a bath, hot tub, or swimming pool for at least 7-10 days
- Gently cleaning the area with mild soap and water
- Patting the area dry instead of rubbing it
- Applying any prescribed ointment or dressing as directed by your healthcare provider
- Watching for signs of infection and seeking medical attention if necessary.
From the Research
Subcuticular Sutures and Bathing
- There is limited research directly addressing how soon after getting subcuticular sutures one can bathe.
- A study from 2015 2 compared early versus delayed post-operative bathing or showering to prevent wound complications, but it did not specifically focus on subcuticular sutures.
- The study found no statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients who developed surgical site infections between the early bathing group and the delayed bathing group.
Wound Closure and Infection Risk
- A study from 1996 3 evaluated the morbidity associated with primary closure by interrupted subcuticular absorbable sutures following emergency appendectomy in children, but it did not provide guidance on bathing after surgery.
- Another study from 1995 4 found that buried, absorbable, subcuticular sutures do not significantly increase the degree of inflammation in noncontaminated wounds.
- A review from 2021 5 found that subcuticular sutures reduced groin surgical site infection rates compared to transdermal sutures or clips, but it did not address bathing after surgery.
Antimicrobial Sutures and Wound Infection
- A review from 2022 6 discussed the development of antimicrobial sutures to minimize the occurrence of surgical site infections, but it did not provide guidance on bathing after surgery.
- Overall, there is no conclusive evidence available from randomised trials regarding the benefits or harms of early versus delayed post-operative bathing or showering for patients with subcuticular sutures 2.