Only within the last decade has it been scientifically proven that the majority of skin wounds heal better when they are kept moist! This is the opposite of what we all thought as children: that a dry crust or scab over a wound meant "good healing." In most cases, dry scabs or crusts should be avoided because they keep the tender new healing cells from crossing the wound. Usually, dryness causes new healing cells to burrow deep underneath the scab or crust. When the crust finally comes off, there will be a more noticeable depression marking the scar. Crusts are often excellent foods for bacteria and other germs, and their presence may lead to infection. Therefore, unless instructed by your physician or surgeon to do otherwise, when taking care of your new surgical wound, you should try to AVOID a dry scab or crust. The wound and any crust that may have formed should be kept waterlogged, not with traditional water, but by placing a layer of antibiotic ointment over the line of stitches to trap the natural moisture and wound-defending fluids in their best state within the wound. Then, if any blood or serum comes through the skin at the line of stitches it will be too moist to dry into a crust. Any old antibiotic ointment and debris may be removed from the stitch line by Q-tips soaked in hydrogen peroxide on a daily or twice-daily basis, and fresh antibiotic ointment applied thereafter.