Can I go in the ocean with stitches?!


Question: Can I go in the ocean with stitches.?
I going to Santa Cruz tonight I was stabbed in my arm and have 14 stitches.. The doctor said to keep it clean and some other crap i'm going to the beach and wonder if it all right to go in the water.. Health Question & Answer


Answers:
YES YOU CAN IF YOUR DOCTOR SAYS IT'S OK
AND IT MIGHT BURN REALLY BAD BECAUSE OF THE
SALT WATER OR IF SOMETHING WERE
TO TOUCH THE STICHES
OR GET IN SIDE THEM..
I WOULDN'T GO INTO THE OCEAN JUST
TO BE SAFE AND AVOID
GETTING A REALLY BAD INFECTION..Health Question & Answer

The theory is that the water harbors bacteria and your stitches get soaked with water/bacteria.. The water and bacteria then track down the stitches into the skin causing an infection of the wound.. We always tell people that they need to keep the stitches clean and dry and covered.. If the dressing gets wet it should be changed right away to help prevent infection..

Will your wound always get infected from swimming.? Probably not always...... but is it worth the risk.? Only you can decide..Health Question & Answer

Average water temperature in the Santa Cruz area is mid 50s to low 60s today (.surfingsantacruz..com/surfing_santa_cruz_monterey_bay_water_temperature)," rel="nofollow">http://www..surfingsantacruz..com/surfing_...... so unless you're wearing a wet suit I'm betting you won't be wanting to do much more than wade a little bit, which would be fine..

I'd be much more concerned about pulling the stitches than anything else.. With water that chilly, you're going to find yourself wanting to move and there'll be a risk of opening the wound.. Yeah, there shouldn't be an issue if the salt water is clean, but I personally would advise against doing something that would aggravate a cut big enough to need 14 stitches..Health Question & Answer

Well, you should talk to your doctor, as he would, having treated the wound, know better than any of us what is best for you.. However, I have always heard that salt water is good for wounds; helps them heal.. So I would think you would be fine.. But call your doctor!Health Question & Answer

The salt water of the sea will actually help the healing process just make sure you wash the sand of it as soon as you can though.. I shredded my leg on some volcanic rock on my holiday and found the sea water helped greatly.. Enjoy your holsHealth Question & Answer

The sea is polluted alot with tons of crap so stick with qhat your doc says, keep it clean and by all means keep it out of the water.. Nothing stopping you from walkin in the water though.? As long as the wound dont get wet or anythingHealth Question & Answer

This must be the wound you have from the guy that tried to stab your heart but missed.. Why don't you just listen to the advice your damn Dr.. gave you.. Actually shouldn't you really take those stitches out before going in the water..Health Question & Answer

I can see both sides of the argument here.. make sure the wound is absolutely, completely closed..

Personally, I wouldn't..

If you must, clean the wound throughly as soon as you get back to your hotel room.. (each time)Health Question & Answer

Nope.. Unfortunately there are lots of pollutants around the coasts and it would be a very bad idea to get it wet with ocean water! Sorry, man..Health Question & Answer

I've known many instances where the salt water has actually promoted a quicker healing process.. You should be more than fine.. Have fun!Health Question & Answer



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