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Any doctors/nurses about - stitches question!

4 replies

Willowskyblue · 16/11/2025 14:39

I've had a BCC removed from the top of my arm three weeks ago. The Dr put in 8 dissolvable stitches and 8 normal ones. I had the normal ones removed after 10 days but can feel what feels like a hard and sharp bit of fishing line sticking out of my arm - it's catching on clothing. I have tried pulling it gently with tweezers but it won't budge. For the past couple of days the area has felt weirdly uncomfortable and that's when I discovered the bit sticking out.
The GP nurse who removed the stitches wasn't great - didn't have her glasses to see properly, coughed all over me, didn't have the right tweezers to remove the stitches and then, when she did, forgot to put her gloves back on, which I didn't see until afterwards, so I don't want her to touch them or me again as it was a painful, protracted and pretty unprofessional process.
Is this likely to be one of the dissolvable stitches, or is it the normal one, which hasn't been removed please? What would you advise as next steps in this situation?

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 16/11/2025 14:45

What colour is the stitch, are you happy to post a photo. Is the area looking red , crusty or inflamed.

twinklelake · 16/11/2025 14:48

Assuming all ok and not infected etc, it could just be a dissolvable stitch and should work its way out in time. If it protruding a lot you could trim it down

WanderingGiraffe · 16/11/2025 14:56

A photo would help us advise - dissolvable skin stitches are generally white or clear. Others usually black or blue.

If it’s healed and otherwise ok, and it’s a dissolvable stitch, then you can gently wash area and trim ends to encourage them to break down. If not dissolvable will need removing. If any redness or irritation then probs need to be seen by Dr/Nurse to advise what to do.

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Willowskyblue · 16/11/2025 17:33

Thanks all - it's a clear stitch so seems to be a dissolvable one. I'll trim it and leave it. The area is healing well i.e. no redness or soreness and I have to say the scar is very neat.
Thanks again for your help.

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