How to stop pain after cut with stitches: The complete guide

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to wound care experts, mild swelling and pain are a normal part of the healing process following a laceration. Understanding proper care is crucial for knowing how to stop pain after cut with stitches and ensure a smooth recovery. This authoritative guide details effective strategies for managing discomfort and promoting healing at home.

Quick Summary

Manage post-stitch pain by using over-the-counter pain relief, applying cold packs to reduce swelling, and keeping the area elevated. Always follow your doctor's specific wound care instructions, practice good hygiene, and watch for signs of infection that may indicate a need for professional medical attention.

Key Points

Initial Discomfort is Normal: Expect some pain, swelling, and redness in the first 48 hours as part of the body's natural healing process.
Use Cold Packs and Elevate: Apply a wrapped cold pack for 15-20 minutes and keep the stitched area elevated to reduce pain and swelling.
Follow Painkiller Guidance: Take over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen, but always check with your doctor before using NSAIDs like ibuprofen, which can affect clotting.
Practice Proper Wound Hygiene: Keep the wound clean and dry, gently washing with mild soap and water as instructed by your doctor to prevent infection.
Avoid Strain and Irritation: Limit physical activity and wear loose clothing to avoid pulling on the stitches and irritating the healing tissue.
Recognize Signs of Infection: Watch for worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, or fever, and contact your doctor immediately if these symptoms occur.

Why does pain occur after getting stitches?

After a cut is sutured, the body immediately begins its natural healing process. The pain you feel is a result of inflammation, which is the body’s way of sending white blood cells and nutrients to repair the damaged tissue. This initial inflammatory response causes swelling, redness, and tenderness around the incision site. While often at its peak during the first 24 to 48 hours, this discomfort should gradually decrease over the next week or two as healing progresses.

The initial healing phase

During the first few days, the wound is most vulnerable. The stitches are holding the skin's edges together to prevent the cut from reopening. The pain is a natural signal to be cautious and protect the area from further injury. It is important to distinguish between normal, expected pain and signs of an infection, which requires immediate medical attention. Normal discomfort should be manageable and improve over time.

Immediate strategies to stop pain after stitches

For the first 24 to 48 hours after receiving stitches, several immediate actions can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Your doctor will likely provide specific instructions, but these general tips are widely recommended.

1. Cold therapy

Applying a cold pack to the area can help numb the pain and minimize swelling. Use a cold pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin towel. Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time, with at least an hour in between applications. This is most effective during the first couple of days.

2. Elevation

If the stitches are on an arm or leg, keeping the limb elevated above the heart can significantly reduce swelling and throbbing pain. Use pillows to prop up the affected limb while resting or sleeping. For wounds on the head or face, use an extra pillow to keep your head slightly elevated.

3. Pain medication

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are a common and effective way to manage discomfort. Your doctor may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

Acetaminophen: Generally safe for pain relief. Check with your doctor, especially if you have liver conditions.
Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help reduce both pain and inflammation. However, some healthcare providers advise against NSAIDs initially as they can affect blood clotting. Always consult your doctor before taking NSAIDs, particularly right after a procedure.

Long-term pain management and healing

Once the initial swelling and throbbing subside, ongoing pain relief depends on proper wound care and protecting the site as it heals.

Keeping the wound clean and dry

Follow your doctor’s instructions on when and how to clean the wound. Most advice includes gently washing the area with mild soap and water after the first 24-48 hours. Pat the area dry carefully and apply any recommended ointment before covering it with a fresh bandage. A moist wound bed is ideal for healing, but you must avoid soaking the area in baths or pools until fully healed.

Avoiding strain and movement

Putting stress on the sutured area can cause a pulling or aching sensation. Limit strenuous activity and avoid excessive movement that pulls at the stitches. If the cut is near a joint, minimizing its movement is especially important to prevent reopening the wound and increasing pain.

Protecting the wound from irritants

Protect the stitches from scratching, rubbing, or contact with harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can damage new tissue and delay healing. Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesn't rub against the wound.

Comparison of Pain Management Methods


Method	Best For	How It Works	Important Considerations
Cold Therapy	Initial swelling and throbbing	Narrows blood vessels to reduce swelling and numbs the area.	Effective only for the first 1-2 days. Wrap pack in a towel.
Elevation	Reducing swelling in limbs	Uses gravity to drain excess fluid away from the wound.	Best for cuts on arms, legs, hands, and feet.
OTC Painkillers	General pain and inflammation	Blocks pain signals and reduces the inflammatory response.	Consult your doctor, especially regarding NSAIDs.
Rest	Overall recovery and healing	Prevents strain on the stitches, allowing tissues to repair themselves.	Crucial in the initial healing phase; listen to your body.
Proper Hygiene	Preventing infection-related pain	Keeps the wound clean and free from bacteria that could cause a painful infection.	Follow doctor's specific cleaning instructions.

When to see a doctor for stitch pain

While some pain is normal, increasing or severe pain can signal a problem. Pay close attention to these signs of infection or complications:

Pain that gets worse after the first 48 hours, rather than improving.
Redness or red streaks spreading away from the wound.
Significant and persistent swelling.
Warmth or heat radiating from the wound.
Pus or cloudy, bad-smelling fluid draining from the incision.
Fever or chills.
The wound edges pulling apart or the stitches coming undone.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early intervention is key to preventing a more serious infection. For more information on general surgical wound care, consult the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.

Conclusion: Effective pain management for a speedy recovery

Managing pain after a cut with stitches involves a combination of immediate care and consistent, long-term attention to the healing wound. By using cold therapy and elevation in the first few days, and relying on doctor-approved pain relievers, you can control discomfort. Adhering to proper hygiene and protecting the wound from strain are critical for preventing complications and ensuring a smooth, less painful recovery. Remember to monitor your wound closely and seek medical help if pain intensifies or signs of infection appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can expect the most significant pain and swelling to last for the first 24 to 48 hours. After this initial period, the discomfort should gradually decrease over the next one to two weeks as the wound heals.

It is important to consult your doctor before taking ibuprofen (an NSAID). While it can reduce both pain and inflammation, some healthcare providers advise against it immediately after a procedure as it can affect blood clotting. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often a safer initial choice.

Yes, increasing or worsening pain after the first couple of days can be a significant sign of a wound infection. Other red flags include spreading redness, pus, foul odor, or fever. You should contact your doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms.

To reduce swelling, you can use a wrapped cold pack on the area for 15-20 minutes and elevate the affected body part above your heart. Elevation is especially effective for stitches on limbs.

Your doctor will provide specific instructions, but generally, you should keep the stitches dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, you can gently wash the area but should avoid soaking it in baths, pools, or hot tubs until the wound is fully healed.

Itching is a very common part of the healing process. As new skin cells form and the nerve endings are repaired, you may feel an itching or tingling sensation. Avoid scratching, as this can irritate the wound or introduce bacteria.

If a stitch comes out before it should, especially if the wound opens up, you should contact your doctor. They will advise if the wound needs to be re-stitched or if it can be managed with alternative care.