Using steri-strips is pretty straightforward, but when do you need to toss the steri-strips to the side and go for something more involved? Wound closure minimizes infection, so the sooner the wound is closed, the better. The choice comes down to the depth of the wound.
Apply steri-strips using these steps:
- Remove any foreign objects from the wound.
- Sterilize the area around the wound.
- Dry the area around the wound.
- Stick the steri-strip to one side of the wound.
- Gently push the wound closed.
- Apply the other side of the steri-strip.
- Continue this until you’ve completely closed the wound.
Should You Use Steri-Strips or Sutures
The size of the wound dictates if you can use steri-strips or sutures on a wound. Normally, you use steri-strips on superficial wounds and stitches on deeper wounds.
Use Steri-Strips for These Types of Wounds
- Wounds less than 1/4″ deep.
- Wounds less than 3/4″ long.
- No exposed fat in the wound.
- No exposed muscle in the wound.
A good rule of thumb is any wound under 1/4″ deep and less than 3/4″ long is a good candidate for steri-strips. If the wound is deeper or longer than that, stitches (sutures) are recommended. Another good indicator to get sutures are seeing muscle (deep red tissue) or fat (yellow material) in the wound.
Use Sutures for These Types of Wounds
- Wounds deeper than 1/4″ deep.
- Wounds longer than 3/4″ long.
- Deep wounds that extend into underlying fat or muscle layers.
- Dirty wounds that need to be thoroughly cleaned before being closed.
- Wounds that have jagged edges or that are gaping open.
- Wounds located over a joint that the movement of the joint would repeatedly stress. (Such as the knuckles or a knee.)
- Wounds on the face, lips, eyelids, or other areas of the body where keeping scarring at bay is important.
- Wounds on or in the genital area.
- Wounds that are bleeding profusely or continue to bleed after applying pressure.
- A wound that may contain a foreign object. (Such as a piece of glass.)
- Wounds caused by an animal or human bite. (These need to be closely monitored for infection and should probably also be followed with antibiotic treatments.)
Can I Use Steri-Strips Instead of Stitches?
Steri-strips and stitches can serve the same purpose on smaller wounds. They both help hold wounds together and reduce scarring, but steri-strips should only be used for wounds that are no more than 1/4″ deep, 3/4″ long, and don’t have any exposed fat or muscle in the wound.
If the wound is larger than that, you should make sure that you seek out a doctor to stitch it closed.
Steri-strips are inexpensive and make a great addition to any first-aid kit.
How to Apply Steri-Strips
- Remove any foreign objects from the wound.
- Sterilize the area around the wound.
- Dry the area to allow the steri-strips to stick to the skin.
- Stick the steri-strip to one side of the wound.
- Gently push the wound closed.
- Apply the other side of the steri-strip.
- Continue this process until you’ve completely closed the wound.
It’s pretty much that simple. After you clean the wound and put the steri-strips in place, cover it with a bandage just like any other wound and keep it clean and dry. The steri-strips should come off on their own in 7-10 days.
Should Steri-Strips be Covered?
Steri-strips should be kept dry and clean, but they don’t have to be covered with a bandage.
If the wound is in an area that could experience a lot of friction, you can cover the steri-strips with a bandage to prevent clothing or other objects from rubbing.
How Long Do Steri-Strips Stay On?
Typically, steri-strips need to stay on for 5 to 7 days for the wound to heal enough to stay closed on its own. Somewhere between the 7-day and 10-day mark, the steri-strips will fall independently.
If the wound isn’t closed when the steri-strips start to fall off, you can apply more steri-strips to the wound to allow it more time to heal.
How to Remove Steri-Strips
When it is time to remove your Steri-Strips:
- Wash your hands with soap and water, cleaning under your nails.
- Gently peel each strip from one end, a tiny bit at a time.
- While you pull the strip, take your other hand and place your thumb and forefinger on both sides of the incision to keep the skin stable. Do not pinch the skin, as this may open the wound.
- Slowly pull the strip back horizontally to your skin until it reaches the incision point. Do not pull vertically, as this increases tension on the skin.
- Now repeat the process on the other side. Take your time.
- Once complete, pinch both ends of the strip with your fingers and lift gently.
- If the strips are scabbed over and adhered to the skin, do not pull. You don’t want to remove the scab.
- If the strip is stuck, you can take a dampened cotton ball and gently dab the area of adherence. Please do not soak the scab, as this may cause it to fall off prematurely. Now, wait 30 seconds and see if you can remove the strip without resistance.
- If you cannot remove the strip easily, leave it be. To avoid accidentally snagging the loose ends, take a clean pair of nail scissors and trim them away.
Are Steri-Strips Waterproof?
Steri-strips aren’t waterproof and aren’t as strong as stitches. They aren’t waterproof.
Even though steri-strips aren’t waterproof, you can take showers and wash your hands after 48 hours. This lets the adhesive adhere to the skin as best as possible and gives the wound time to heal before it gets wet.
Besides normal cleaning (like washing your hands and showering), you should try to keep your steri-strips as dry as possible.
Can I Swim With Steri-Strips?
Steri-strips can get wet during showers and hand washing after two days, but you shouldn’t swim, take baths or do anything else that will soak them in water.
Get Familiar with Suturing
I’d suggest at least getting familiar with suturing, even if you only watch a quick video. You never know when it may come in handy.
Wound closure is done to minimize infection so the sooner the wound is closed the better.
The rule in the ERs that I worked in was get to us within 6 to 12 hours and we might consider closing one that had been left open longer but probably not.
The longer the wound is left open the greater the chance of it becoming infected.
Deep wounds need to be closed in layers. If you pull the edges together over a deep wound you might get an abscess under it. I’m not going to describe the suture technique as I’m sure there must be thousands of online videos.
This video does a great job of showing off a simple suture technique.
