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Superglue was developed originally as a wound closure material.
How long to wait after stitches are removed before diving?
- Thread starter Scuba_Jenny
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I believe the major reason we use Dermabond instead of ordinary superglue is that it incites a bit less inflammatory response (therefore less scar).
I'm a big fan of Tegaderm, which is the clear, stretchy adhesive stuff that they use on IV sites. You can buy it at the drugstore, and I've used it to repair any number of minor wounds. Mind you, this is NOT medical advice to anybody; sutures are a far better approach to any significant wound.
I'm a big fan of Tegaderm, which is the clear, stretchy adhesive stuff that they use on IV sites. You can buy it at the drugstore, and I've used it to repair any number of minor wounds. Mind you, this is NOT medical advice to anybody; sutures are a far better approach to any significant wound.
Yeah, but superglue is so much more fun! Louder squeeling, more laughing, and usually gluing at least one finger to hie head...
I have always used it, but did not know that it was originally planned for that. Cool. And now, also, a bit of a letdown. Not so edgy and cool when it was meant for it...
Yeah, but superglue is so much more fun! Louder squeeling, more laughing, and usually gluing at least one finger to hie head...
Nah, sutures can be a lot more fun if you don't use any lidocaine to numb it up beforehand! Personally, I like staples, but they aren't recommended on the face...
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Hi Scuba_Jenny,
Given the closing of a minor lacteration, provided that there have been no complications, the wound has completely healed and the sutures have been removed, it generally is safe for a diver to return to SCUBA unless the treating physician indicates otherwise.
The primary concern with diving when such lacerations are mostly, but not entirely healed, or still contain sutures, is infection. Bodies of water, both fresh and salt, often contain a surprising number of worrisome germs.
If SCUBA is going to be undertaken prior to complete healing of such wounds, these areas will have to be properly protected. This might include the use of products like Nexcare Active Waterproof Skin Cover or Tagaderm along with regular application of a triple antibiotic ointment. These products are readily available at most pharmacy departments and do not require a prescription.
Helpful?
Regards,
DocVikingo
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice.
Given the closing of a minor lacteration, provided that there have been no complications, the wound has completely healed and the sutures have been removed, it generally is safe for a diver to return to SCUBA unless the treating physician indicates otherwise.
The primary concern with diving when such lacerations are mostly, but not entirely healed, or still contain sutures, is infection. Bodies of water, both fresh and salt, often contain a surprising number of worrisome germs.
If SCUBA is going to be undertaken prior to complete healing of such wounds, these areas will have to be properly protected. This might include the use of products like Nexcare Active Waterproof Skin Cover or Tagaderm along with regular application of a triple antibiotic ointment. These products are readily available at most pharmacy departments and do not require a prescription.
Helpful?
Regards,
DocVikingo
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice.
OP
Thanks TSandM and Doc for your help. Sounds like I should be good to dive on Saturday. Whoo hoo!!! I will probably put a waterproof band aid over it anyways, if anything to make me think I am helping it! LOL. I checked my mask last night and it fits just to the outside of the wound, so I am probably Ok with the additional pressure of the mask skirt.
(and sorry for the original post's confusion on the timeframe. It made sense to me when I posted it, but after reading ya'lls posts I reread and understood how there was some confusion. )
(and sorry for the original post's confusion on the timeframe. It made sense to me when I posted it, but after reading ya'lls posts I reread and understood how there was some confusion. )
fisherdvm
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From my perspective - who operates only on wounds limitted to the skin and the sub dermal fat - I usually allow swimming the day after I remove the stiches. Unless the wound is under significant tension (lower back, chest, deltoid), then the restriction from swimming is mainly to prevent excessive movement causing the wound to dehisc or "pop" open.
Facial wound from lacerations are usually under minimal tension, unless in the central cheek. I would venture to say, most doctor will tell you to wait at least 10 days for swimming, just in case you get hit in the face by another swimmer, and the wound might dehisc.
In area being rubbed by diving mask, dive gears, or even a tight wet suit, more of a concern than dehiscent is the fear of abrasion and irritation from the offending mask, BC strap, or wetsuit. The newly formed skin is very fragile, and has minimal protection (thin protective epidermis and very poor water barrier). Continuous irritation might promote the formation of hypertrophic scar approaching what some would call a "keloid".
I would not advise having a scar in an area prone to trauma (ankle wound and fins, shoulder wound and BC strap, facial wound and mask) being irritated by diving until I am assured that it is well healed (2 to 6 weeks perhaps). And you might always want to keep a bandage or "mole" skin on the area to protect it from trauma by any irritating strap or clothing.
Petrolateum is a good protectant for early scar, and in my opinion, probably as effective as Maderma to prvent hypertrophic scars and keloids.
Facial wound from lacerations are usually under minimal tension, unless in the central cheek. I would venture to say, most doctor will tell you to wait at least 10 days for swimming, just in case you get hit in the face by another swimmer, and the wound might dehisc.
In area being rubbed by diving mask, dive gears, or even a tight wet suit, more of a concern than dehiscent is the fear of abrasion and irritation from the offending mask, BC strap, or wetsuit. The newly formed skin is very fragile, and has minimal protection (thin protective epidermis and very poor water barrier). Continuous irritation might promote the formation of hypertrophic scar approaching what some would call a "keloid".
I would not advise having a scar in an area prone to trauma (ankle wound and fins, shoulder wound and BC strap, facial wound and mask) being irritated by diving until I am assured that it is well healed (2 to 6 weeks perhaps). And you might always want to keep a bandage or "mole" skin on the area to protect it from trauma by any irritating strap or clothing.
Petrolateum is a good protectant for early scar, and in my opinion, probably as effective as Maderma to prvent hypertrophic scars and keloids.
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Hi Scuba_Jenny,
RE: The immediately above post by fisherdvm.
As your profile describes you as a graphic designer, I'm confidently assuming that you're not a medical type and don't understand much medical terminology. So, here's a few focused definitions to help you comprehend it:
dehisc=shorthand for a number of possibilities, including the adjective "dehiscent," noun "dehiscence" or verb "dehisce." As it is applied as a verb by fisherdvm ("to dehisc"; "the wound might dehisc"), it appears he's using it to mean "dehisce," which refers to the rupture or splitting open of a surgical wound.
keloid=an overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury.
hypertrophic scar=a heavy scar resembling a keloid, but with some important distinctions. Primary among them, there is no especially effective treatment for keloid scars while hypertrophic scars can often be improved with scar revision.
epidermis=the outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin.
petrolateum=a somewhat uncommonly used term to refer to what is in essence a fancy type of Vaseline jelly.
Maderma (which is correctly spelled,"Mederma")=an onion based cream which, "Despite what all the commercials say, Mederma is not any better than petroleum jelly for improving the appearance of scars.(Treating Scars - Mederma Review)
"mole" skin=more commonly spelled "moleskin," it is a fabric protective covering marketed under band names like Medfix Moleskin Adhesive Bandage.
Helpful?
Regards,
DocVikingo
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice.
RE: The immediately above post by fisherdvm.
As your profile describes you as a graphic designer, I'm confidently assuming that you're not a medical type and don't understand much medical terminology. So, here's a few focused definitions to help you comprehend it:
dehisc=shorthand for a number of possibilities, including the adjective "dehiscent," noun "dehiscence" or verb "dehisce." As it is applied as a verb by fisherdvm ("to dehisc"; "the wound might dehisc"), it appears he's using it to mean "dehisce," which refers to the rupture or splitting open of a surgical wound.
keloid=an overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury.
hypertrophic scar=a heavy scar resembling a keloid, but with some important distinctions. Primary among them, there is no especially effective treatment for keloid scars while hypertrophic scars can often be improved with scar revision.
epidermis=the outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin.
petrolateum=a somewhat uncommonly used term to refer to what is in essence a fancy type of Vaseline jelly.
Maderma (which is correctly spelled,"Mederma")=an onion based cream which, "Despite what all the commercials say, Mederma is not any better than petroleum jelly for improving the appearance of scars.(Treating Scars - Mederma Review)
"mole" skin=more commonly spelled "moleskin," it is a fabric protective covering marketed under band names like Medfix Moleskin Adhesive Bandage.
Helpful?
Regards,
DocVikingo
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice.
Jenny, before you decide to dive, please be aware of the water quality report. Pool may be closed anyway.
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