How do I care for my wound after a GP procedure?

Keep the dressing clean and dry for the first 24-48 hours. After that, you can usually shower but pat the area dry gently — do not soak in a bath, pool, or ocean until fully healed. Change the dressing daily or when soiled using clean hands, saline or clean water to gently clean, and a fresh non-stick dressing. Do not pick at scabs or stitches. Avoid strenuous exercise or stretching the area for the first 48-72 hours to reduce bleeding risk.

When should I worry about my wound after a procedure?

See your GP or go to urgent care if you notice increasing redness spreading from the wound, increasing pain after the first 24-48 hours rather than improving, pus or smelly discharge, fever or feeling unwell, wound edges opening up, bleeding that does not stop with 15 minutes of firm pressure, or numbness or tingling beyond the immediate wound area. These may be signs of infection or wound breakdown that need medical attention.

When do stitches come out after a skin procedure?

Stitch removal timing depends on body location: face 3-5 days, scalp 7-10 days, trunk 7-10 days, arms and legs 10-14 days, hands and feet 10-14 days, over joints 14 days. Your GP will tell you when to return. Do not remove stitches yourself. If dissolvable stitches were used, they do not need removal — they break down on their own over 1-6 weeks.

What pain relief can I take after a minor procedure?

Paracetamol is usually sufficient for minor procedures. Take 1g (two 500mg tablets) every 4-6 hours, maximum 4g per day. Avoid ibuprofen or aspirin for the first 24 hours as they can increase bleeding. After 24 hours, ibuprofen can be added if needed. If your GP prescribed stronger pain relief, follow their instructions. Ice packs wrapped in a cloth can help with swelling in the first 24 hours — 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.

After Your Procedure

You just had a minor procedure at your GP. Here's how to look after the wound and when to worry.

📋 Source: Standard wound management guidelines. Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA). Suture removal timelines per Emergency Medicine references (Trott, 2012). Individual procedure instructions — always follow your GP's specific instructions if they differ from this general guide.
Your doctor or healthcare provider knows your history and circumstances — always follow their personalised advice over general information.

🌏 Works for all countries

⚠ Important: This is general guidance only. Always follow the specific instructions given to you by your GP or surgeon. If your doctor's instructions differ from this page, follow your doctor's instructions — they know your wound, your health, and your procedure.

🚨 Go to your GP or emergency department now if you have: bleeding that won't stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure, fever over 38°C, rapidly spreading redness, pus or foul-smelling discharge, or wound edges that have opened up.

Wound Symptom Checker

Tick any symptoms your wound has:

Increasing redness spreading beyond the wound edge Swelling that is getting worse (not better) after day 3 Pus or cloudy discharge from the wound Wound is opening up or edges are separating Fever over 38°C or feeling unwell / shivery Red streaks spreading away from the wound Wound smells bad or has changed colour Pain is getting significantly worse after the first 48 hours

This is a guide only — it provides general information, not medical advice. Your treating doctor knows your specific situation. Always follow the instructions they gave you at discharge.

✂️ Looking for when stitches come out? → Suture Removal Timeline — face 5 days, scalp 7–10, forearm 7–10, joints 14 days.

First 24–48 hours

🩹Keep the dressing on — leave the original dressing in place for at least 24 hours (or as your GP instructed). It protects the wound during the initial healing phase. 💧Keep it dry — no showering over the wound for the first 24 hours. If it gets wet accidentally, pat dry gently and replace the dressing. 🚫No exercise or heavy lifting — avoid strenuous activity for 48–72 hours. Movement and increased blood pressure can cause the wound to bleed. 🧊Ice for swelling — if the area is swollen, apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Do not put ice directly on skin. 💊Pain relief — paracetamol 1g every 4–6 hours (max 4g/day) is usually enough. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for the first 24 hours (they increase bleeding). 🛏️Elevate if possible — if the procedure was on a limb, keep it elevated above heart level when resting to reduce swelling.

Dressing changes

After the first 24–48 hours, change the dressing daily (or when soiled/wet):

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the wound.

2. Gently remove the old dressing. If it's stuck, wet it with clean water to loosen.

3. Clean the wound gently with saline (salt water) or clean running water. Do not use alcohol, iodine, or hydrogen peroxide — these damage healing tissue.

4. Pat dry with a clean gauze or tissue.

5. Apply a fresh non-stick dressing (e.g. Melolin, Primapore, or whatever your GP recommended). Secure with tape.

6. Continue daily dressing changes until stitches are removed or the wound has closed.

Showering: After 24–48 hours, you can shower briefly over the wound. Pat dry and apply a fresh dressing. Do not soak in a bath, pool, spa, or ocean until fully healed — this introduces bacteria.

When do stitches come out?

Body area	Removal time
Face	3–5 days
Scalp	7–10 days
Trunk (chest, back, abdomen)	7–10 days
Arms	10–14 days
Legs	10–14 days
Hands / feet	10–14 days
Over a joint (elbow, knee, knuckle)	14 days

Dissolvable stitches: These do not need removal — they break down on their own over 1–6 weeks. You may see the ends poking out as they dissolve. Do not pull them. Steri-strips: Leave in place until they fall off naturally (usually 7–10 days). Do not peel them off early.

Warning signs — when to call your GP

🔴Increasing redness — a thin red rim around the wound is normal. Redness that is spreading outwards or getting worse after 48 hours suggests infection. 🔴Increasing pain — pain should improve each day. Pain that worsens after the first 24–48 hours is a warning sign. 🔴Pus or discharge — clear or slightly blood-tinged fluid in the first 24 hours is normal. Yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge suggests infection. 🔴Fever — temperature over 38°C after a minor procedure is not normal. See your doctor. 🔴Wound opening — if the edges separate or stitches break, the wound may need re-closure. See your GP promptly. 🔴Persistent bleeding — if the wound bleeds through the dressing, apply firm pressure with a clean cloth for 15 minutes. If it doesn't stop, seek medical attention. 🟡Numbness or tingling — some numbness around the wound from the local anaesthetic is normal for a few hours. Persistent numbness beyond 24 hours or tingling in fingers/toes should be reported.

Specific procedure types

Skin excision / biopsy

Standard wound care as above. Your GP will call with the pathology result in 5–7 days. If the result shows something that needs further treatment (e.g. wider excision), they will discuss this with you.

Cryotherapy (freezing)

A blister may form — this is normal. Do not pop it. It will flatten and peel over 1–2 weeks. Keep clean and dry. Minimal pain — paracetamol if needed.

Implanon insertion / removal

Keep the pressure bandage on for 24 hours. Bruising is normal and may last 1–2 weeks. Small adhesive strip can stay on for 3–5 days. Avoid heavy lifting with that arm for 48 hours.

IUD insertion

Cramping is normal for 24–48 hours — ibuprofen and a heat pack help. Light bleeding or spotting may continue for days to weeks. Check your strings after your next period. See your GP if you have heavy bleeding, fever, or severe pain.

Ingrown toenail surgery

Keep the toe elevated for the first 24 hours. Soak in warm salty water daily from day 2. Wear open-toed shoes until healed. Expect some oozing for 1–2 weeks. See your GP if there is increasing redness or pus.

Iron infusion

Not a wound — but you may feel flushed, have a headache, or feel tired for 24 hours. Joint or muscle aches are common. A brown skin stain at the injection site can occur if the drip leaks — tell the nurse immediately. Full iron infusion guide → | When to recheck iron levels →

Reducing scarring

After stitches are removed and the wound has closed:

☀️Protect from sun — new scars burn easily and can darken permanently. Cover with clothing or use SPF 50+ sunscreen for at least 6–12 months. 🧴Massage with moisturiser — once fully healed (2–3 weeks), gently massage the scar with a plain moisturiser (e.g. sorbolene) or silicone scar gel twice daily. This softens the scar tissue. ⏳Give it time — scars continue to mature and fade for 12–18 months. A red or raised scar at 6 weeks is normal. Judge the final result at 12+ months.

If tissue was sent for pathology (e.g. after a skin excision or biopsy), results usually take 5–7 business days. Your GP will contact you with the result. If you haven't heard after 10 days, call the practice to follow up — don't assume no news is good news.

If the result requires further treatment (e.g. wider excision margins for a skin cancer), your GP will discuss the next steps and may refer you to a specialist.

You can check if results have been uploaded to your My Health Record — some pathology labs upload automatically.

For most minor procedures with local anaesthetic only, you can drive immediately after — the numbness is localised and doesn't affect your ability to drive.

Do not drive if: you had sedation, you are in significant pain that affects concentration, or the procedure was on your driving foot and it is numb. If in doubt, arrange someone to drive you home.