A wound with stitches requires specific care to avoid complications such as infection, opening, or blood. This is more likely in injuries in mobile areas, those caused by trauma, or extensive and deep wounds.
A recently sutured wound may exude a little fluid and even some blood, but a large amount of liquid or the leakage of a purulent, greenish, and odorous fluid are some issues that should be urgently controlled.
If you are interested in knowing if it is normal for a wound with stitches to bleed, continue reading this article from FastlyHeal .
Table of Contents
Why are stitches put in a wound?
When an injury requires stitches, it is because otherwise, it would probably be more challenging to close and heal. A wound is frequently sutured when :
- The damage is extensive.
- The injury is serious.
- It is located in an area with a lot of mobility.
- It is located on the face of another leading site.
- Receding structures need to be attached (such as a tendon).
When the wound has been caused by trauma (for example, an animal bite or a crush), often a few stitches are placed to leave the damage somewhat open to drain a possible infection.
Can a stitched wound bleed?
There are a variety of complications that can arise in wounds that have been sutured:
- Infection – the wound, in that case, hurts, oozes, and is swollen. The proliferation of bacteria in an injury can occur in people with low defenses, traumatic wounds, dirty wounds, and inadequate wound care, for example. The following article explains how to Heal a Stitch Infected Wound.
- Open wound: also known as dehiscence. It can happen in very mobile skin areas due to tension, deep wounds, and weakened tissues.
- Granuloma: it is a reaction to a foreign body, such as stitches. The body can remove it independently, but it may need to be removed.
- Wound bleeding – A few drops of blood coming out immediately after the damage has been closed is normal, but a large amount of blood leaking between the wound points is not overlooked. Some surgeries may bleed more than others, and knowing if what is happening is to be expected will probably only be known by the professional who has operated.
The wounds that are more likely to bleed are:
- Those performed in patients with clotting problems or taking anticoagulant drugs.
- Traumatic injuries
- Damages in areas with a lot of mobility (flexion areas, for example).
- Areas with many blood vessels (for example, the scalp).
- Wounds that are not cared for properly.
How to heal a wound with stitches
The professional who made the stitches in the wound usually gives precise indications of the same care. These will depend on the characteristics of the injury (product of surgery, trauma, a clean-cut) and the experience and criteria of the professional. Among the most common indications to heal a wound with stitches are:
- Keep the wound clean: some indicate cleanliness from day one, and others allow a day or more to begin to heal. These can be done daily or with more space between cleanings. It may include washing the area with soap and water or applying antiseptics (povidone iodine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide).
- Some wounds must be covered; others must be exposed to the air.
- In some cases, the application of healing creams may be indicated.
- Most of the time, antibiotics are prescribed, although some cases do not require them.
- Immobilization of the area with the wound: excessive movements or force can complicate the injury.
- Avoid sun exposure.
As we can see, the options are varied. It is essential to care for a wound with stitches as directed by the attending physician.
What to do when bleeding from a stitched wound?
It is essential to stay calm and not resort to too many home remedies that are likely to complicate the situation further.
As a first measure, you should try to raise the bleeding area. If the wound is below the height of your heart, bleeding will be more accessible, and one way to decrease the amount of blood that comes out of damage is to lift that area above the chest. If the injury is in one leg, you should sit or lie down with that leg raised; if it is in the abdomen, it is better to stay in bed and if it is in one hand, submit it to the level of the opposite shoulder.
You should compress the wound if you can. If there is a bandage, another can be placed over it.
It is essential to call or see the doctor who performed the stitches or someone from their team. You must know that the wound is bleeding. This may be normal, but it may also require an urgent assessment of what is happening.
If the wound bleeds profusely, other measures may be needed, such as:
- Compress.
- Make another point.
- Reoperate the wound.
- Apply medication for bleeding.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more similar articles, Is it normal for a wound with stitches to bleed? We recommend that you enter our category of Skin, hair and nails .

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.