Emergency and Urgent Care - Wound Care

Emergency Department for Salford Royal Hospital
Telephone: 0161 206 4841

Wound care

You have a wound which has been treated with stitches, paper stitches (also known as Steristrips) or glue. The method used depends on the type of wound. An appropriate dressing may also be covering the wound.

Looking after your wound

• You MUST keep your wound/dressing clean and dry - showering should be avoided
• If the dressing does get wet, you should contact your local District Nurses or in an emergency return to the Emergency Department
• You must NOT cover the wound /dressing with plastic bags or anything else which is waterproof - this will make the wound soggy, and can lead to infections and delayed healing
• Take painkillers such as paracetamol if needed
• If you have been given antibiotics, it is important that you take the full course

Stitches

• You have ______ stitches
• They should be removed in ______ days
• You will need to make an appointment with your local District Nursing team to arrange for these to be removed (Tel. 0161 206 0604 for Salford residents)

Paper stitches

•    These can be removed in ______ days
•    You can do this yourself by wetting them in water and gently peeling them off

Wound glue

• If glue has been used, it does not need to be removed - it will drop off by itself when the wound is healed
• If the glue is on your head, DO NOT wash your hair for at least 2 days. DO NOT use a hairdryer until the glue has dropped off, as the glue may melt

What to expect

It is normal for there to be a small amount of redness and swelling around a healing wound. It can take up to a year for the scar to fade to its final colour.

What to look out for

You should contact your local District Nursing service or attend an Urgent Care/Walk-in Centre if any of the following occur:

• The wound becomes very red or swollen
• The wound becomes very painful
• Pus leaks from the wound
• Steristrips or glue get wet or come off before the wound has healed
• The wound opens up
• If there is an offensive smell from the wound

In an Emergency, please return to the Emergency Department.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious infection which can occasionally get into the body via a wound. It can be prevented by a series of injections. It is currently advised that you do not need further tetanus boosters if you have had 5 tetanus injections in your lifetime.

○    YES/NO: You are covered against tetanus and do not need a booster today

○    YES/NO: You have received a booster injection against tetanus today. The same injection also protects you against diphtheria and            polio. You should inform your GP of this