How to Stitch Up Your Own Injury

Do it yourself medical care is sometimes necessary and knowing how to stitch up your own injury may save your life. It is always best to seek medical attention as soon as possible, but if you are on your own, here is what you need to know.

Gather The Things Necessary To Stitch Up Your Own Injury

Start by gathering the things you will need. You will need thread, preferably sterilized, a needle, gauze or bandages of some kind, tape or something to hold the bandage in place an antibiotic ointment, scissors or a knife, and rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

Thread the needle and tie the two far ends together a couple of times to form a small knot or lump.

Clean The Area As Best As Possible To Stitch Up Your Own Injury

Wipe off any blood or other things and clean the area with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or just water if it is the only thing you have. If your needle and thread are not packaged sterilized products, you can rinse them off in alcohol or hydrogen peroxide also.

Stitch Up Your Own Injury Quickly When There Is Heavy Bleeding

Pinch up the skin around the injury. Get the sides as even as you can, starting with the longest edge, and draw in a steadying breath. This will be painful but you can stitch up your own injury. Pierce the two folds of skin together, roughly 1/4 inch down and gently pull the needle and thread all the way through. Pull until the knot at the end is firmly against the pinched up flesh. Bring the needle back over top and pierce the skin again, roughly 1/4 inch from the first. Repeat this process as one continuous stitch, until the entire wound is sewn. This method is for fast situations or heavy bleeding.

Stitch Up Your Own Injury - Individual stitches

This is much like tying a knot. Pierce the pinched up folds 1/4 inch down and pull enough thread through to allow tying a knot. Cut the thread off and double tie it. Repeat this process, putting stitches 1/4-1/2 inch apart, until the wound is closed.

A Fast Method To Stitch Up Your Own Injury

Thread a needle and tie the two ends together until you have a small lump. Pierce the skin 1/4 inch down and pull the thread through until the knot is firmly against the skin. Pierce the skin again, 1/4 inch apart, on the same side you just exited from. Pull the thread all the way through, being gentle so as not to dislodge the first stitch. Pierce the skin again, on the side you've just exited, 1/4 inch apart. Repeat this process until the wound is closed. Use the needle to tie off the ends and then cut the thread.

Tip: Be sure to get all the dirt out of the wound and use the antibiotic ointment over top of the stitches. These two things will help lower the possibility of infections, something that often results in having to stitch up your own injury. Seek medical attention as soon as possible from a professional doctor.

Sources:

Wikipedia
WebMD
Mayo Clinic