My baby got stitches, what do I do?

My 1 year old son just got stitches across his forehead. The stitches are supposed to disolve and there is a sort of tape on there that is supposed to fall off by itself. How do I take care of the area? And is it ok to give him some Motrin in the morning? How do I keep him from messing with it? Will there be a scar? ( the gash was so deep I could see his skull.)

I wish that I could pick every answer as the best! Thank you all! My son is almost normal, except for the bandage...he's running around playing like usual! So far he's not acting like it is bothering him, so I haven't bothered with Motrin or anything yet.

You can gently wash the area with soap and water, 8 hours after he had the stitches put in, as the skin heals enough that it can be washed safely. The steri strips (tape) on the forehead will fall of on their own. Do not worry if they fall off as early as tomorrow, if they are still there in about 7 days gently remove them. If it is very sunny where you live and your son is outside, you may want to protect the cut from sunlight as this will minimize the scarring. Once the stitches disolve and are gone, you can apply Vitamin E just poke a hole in a capsule and apply the liquid to the laceration this will also help with scarring.
He will have a scar, but it will fade overtime especially at this young age.
Yes it is ok to give Motrin every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain.

Keep the area clean and dry, for one. You can give children's motrin if he/she is in pain.
Other than that...you could put a light gauze on the area if the child is picking at it, but the site needs oxygen to heal, so don't cover it completely.
since your child is so young, there will not likely be much of a scar, since children do heal better than adults as far skin regeneration...they grow so much at that age.

My daughter had stitches right under her eye when she was only 4--I would suggest that you call your pediatrician about the Motrin-I'm not sure he will allow that but most likely baby aspirin and as far as the scar goes- they fade away- you can't see my daughters and she has olive skin so the scar stayed white for a long time- I'm sure you were told to keep it dry and if you see any redness around the area- take him back to the doctors-- he'll be fine- your pediatrician may want to see him anyway....good luck

My goodness, hope he is alright...sure some motrin will help the pain, I am familiar w/ the tape and stiches...he may want to mess with it since it hurts and will likely be itchy as it heals, just leave it alone, the tape should stay on for several days to heal enough ..try to take his attention off of it if he bothers it...GOOD LUCK :)

To help reduce the scarring..

Lightly dab it with a clean wet washrag
Keep him out of the sun
Put sunscreen on the area twice a day indoors and as directed outside.

I will get old to him after a couple of days.And he will forget it's there. It might itch some neosporin (spelling?) with the numbing stuff might help.

Poor guy hope he heals well !

Good-Luck

Let him pick out the bandaid he wants to wear. Make sure you keep the stitches moist with neosporin, this will keep the crunchies from developing. Let him put a bandage on one of his favorite stuffed animals so he can have an owy too. I would keep the bandage on and avoid getting the area wet since they gave yuo the dissolving ones. You can alternate the tylenol and ibuprofen every 3-4 hours as needed for pain, swelling. Good luck.