I'm going to need to get my stitches taken out before the 14 days is up

[TheBitterBoy]

I've got an appointment at the hospital later this week to have some stitches removed from an injury. DC this evening has developed a cough, and fell asleep in front of the TV before bed which is very out of character. This obviously puts us in a 14 day self isolation starting today. But these stitches will need to come out. The nurse at my GP said yesterday they ran a risk of becoming infected if they are left in longer than necessary. I don't want to just turn up at the hospital obviously, but I can't find any suggestion of what to do or who to contact as to how this can be handled. Has anyone had a similar situation and how was it dealt with please?

[ArtisanBreadBin]

Where are they on your body? I think the risk of infection is very small once the wound has healed. You could do it yourself tbh if it's accessible.

[GreyishDays]

I took my DH’s vasectomy stiches out when they didn’t dissolve as they were meant to. Have you a willing accomplice?

[Sheepareawesome]

Call your gp and speak to the community nurses. They visit people who can't go to the surgery for this sort of thing. They will ghave people with the protective equipment who can see you at home, although they might be struggling to fit you in so the sooner they know about you the better. Good luck

[TheBitterBoy]

They are in my leg, but I'd be really reluctant to remove them myself, it was a big wound. They are not soluble stitches. I'll try the GP. Getting through on the phone is super hard at the moment for obvious reasons.

[ArtisanBreadBin]

Leaving them in for longer will be fine OP, it really will.

[AnnaMagnani]

Have a look and see if you can take them out yourself - it really is cut and pull. I did mine post surgery with kitchen scissors as I'd gone on holiday.

However then can always wait. The risk of infection is before the wound has healed not after. It just gets more annoying to take them out the longer they are left.

[TheBitterBoy]

A, quick update, the paramedic based at my GP surgery came and took them out. I'm glad I didn't attempt it myself, a couple of the sutures were very tricky and the knots had 'buried' themselves. All the medical people I spoke to in the process of finding out what to do about the stitches (111, GP, paramedic) were very clear that leaving them in longer than 14 days would leave me at greater risk of infection and complications.