Okay, so this probably sounds really, really strange, but could you use Hair for stitching wounds? Like, you have a character that has really long hair and he or someone else has a open wound that seriously needs stiching, but the only thing they have is a needle. Could they use 1-2 strands of hair as thread? I know it’s not hygienic but would it be possible?

scriptmedic:

Hey there nonny! 

So the short answer is: human hair doesn’t have the tensile strength or diameter you need to stitch much. A skilled eye surgeon could use human hair for eye sutures, but it’s too thin to effectively hold muscle or skin together. 

What’s been used for ages is horse hair, specifically from the tail. Humans have been stitching themselves up with horse hair since the dawn of needles. 

Fishing line, if they can find some, would work absolutely spectacularly, though all of these run the risk of causing infection. 

Also, remember that stitches aren’t used over injuries that have gouged out flesh underneath the skin, or on bite wounds. (These are left open and covered with gauze.) 

Best of luck! 

xoxo, Aunt Scripty

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