WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

How do I care for my wound?

• Clean:
  • You may be able to shower in 24 hours. Do not soak your wound under water.
    
    
  • Gently wash your wound with soap and warm water daily. Lightly pat it dry. Do not cover your wound unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
    
    
  • You may also need to clean your wound with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. Ask your healthcare provider how to do this.
    
    
  • Do not apply ointment or cream to the wound unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
  
  
• Elevate:
  • Rest any arm or leg that has a wound on pillows above the level of your heart. Do this as often as possible for 2 days. This will help decrease swelling and pain.
    
    
  
  
• Minimize scarring:
  • Avoid sunshine on your wound to reduce scarring.
    
    

When should I follow up with my healthcare provider? You may need to return for a wound checkup 3 days after your staples are placed. Ask your healthcare provider when to return to get your staples removed. Your healthcare provider will take your staples out as soon as possible to reduce scarring. Face staples may be removed within 3 to 5 days. Scalp, arm, and leg staples may be removed within 7 to 10 days. Joint, palm, and feet staples may be removed within 10 to 14 days.

How will my staples be removed?

• A medical staple remover will be used to take out your staples. Your healthcare provider will slide the tool under each staple, squeeze the handle, and gently pull the staple out.
  
  
• Medical tape will be placed on your wound once your staples are removed. This will help keep your wound closed. The medical tape will fall off on its own after several days.

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

• You have redness, pain, swelling, or pus draining from your wound.
  
  
• Your pain medicine does not relieve your pain.
  
  
• You have a fever of 101°F (38.5°C) or higher.
  
  
• You have an odor coming from your wound.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

When should I seek immediate care?

• Your wound reopens.
  
  
• You have red streaks on your skin that spread out from your wound.
  
  
• You have severe pain or vomiting.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.