Dressing and Wound Care After Steri-Strip Application
A dressing should be placed over steri strips to protect the wound, and the area should not be washed for at least 48 hours after application. 1
Dressing Recommendations
- An occlusive dressing should be placed over steri strips to promote wound healing and protect the wound from external contamination 1
- The initial sterile dressing should remain undisturbed for a minimum of 48 hours after application unless there is significant leakage 2
- After the initial 48-hour period, the dressing can be changed daily with proper aseptic technique until granulation of the wound has taken place (usually days 1-7) 1, 2
- Once the wound begins healing (after approximately one week), dressing changes can be reduced to every 2-3 days 1
Wound Washing Guidelines
- The wound should not be washed for at least 48 hours after steri strip application to allow initial healing 1, 2
- After 48 hours, if the dressing needs to be changed due to saturation or contamination, clean the area with tap water or sterile saline rather than antiseptic agents 1
- Complete showering or hand washing is possible after initial wound healing (typically 1-2 weeks after wound closure) 1
- When washing becomes permitted, dressings should be removed before washing, residual soap rinsed away, and the area dried thoroughly before applying a new dressing 1
Important Considerations
- Occlusive dressings promote better wound healing than dry dressings, but avoid completely air-tight dressings that can lead to skin maceration 1
- If the wound develops redness, swelling, foul-smelling drainage, increased pain, or fever, the dressing should be removed, the wound inspected, and medical care obtained 1
- The timing of complete dressing removal depends on the wound location - facial wounds heal more rapidly (5-7 days) compared to high-tension areas like extremities (up to 14 days) 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Removing the initial dressing too early (before 48 hours) can disrupt the early healing process and increase infection risk 1, 2
- Using antiseptic agents like povidone-iodine for wound cleaning can delay healing compared to simple tap water or saline 1
- Applying occlusive dressings that are too tight can create a tourniquet effect, especially on extremities, which can impair circulation 1
- Leaving dressings in place too long without inspection can mask early signs of infection 1
Steri strips provide essentially painless closure for low-tension wounds and are particularly useful for facial wounds that need gentle approximation to minimize scarring 2, 3. When properly protected with appropriate dressings and care instructions, they allow for optimal cosmetic results with minimal complications.