Topic Overview
After surgery, you will need to
take care of the incision as it heals. Your doctor used either stitches,
staples, or tape strips to close the incision. And you will need to keep the
area clean, change the dressing according to your doctor's instructions, and
watch for signs of infection.
Tips for reducing the risk of infection
To reduce
the risk of infection:
- Do not wash the area for at least 24 hours.
Depending on the type of surgery you had, you may need to wait longer. Follow
your doctor's instructions exactly.
- Look at the incision every
day, checking for signs of infection (see below).
- Change the
dressing as your doctor recommends.
Do not:
- Scrub or rub incisions.
- Remove
the tape strips (such as Steri-Strips) from incisions unless your doctor tells
you to.
- Use lotion or powder on incisions.
- Expose
incisions to sunlight.
- Take a bath unless you can keep the incision
dry. Take showers until your doctor says it's okay to take baths. Before you
shower, cover the dressing with a plastic bag or use another method of keeping
it dry.
You may notice some soreness, tenderness, tingling,
numbness, and itching around the incision. There may also be mild oozing and
bruising, and a small lump may form. This is normal and no cause for concern.
Signs of infection
Call your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- Signs of an infection, such as:
- A yellow or green discharge that is
increasing.
- A change in the odor of the discharge.
- A
change in the size of the incision.
- Redness or hardening of the
surrounding area.
- The incision is hot to the
touch.
-
Fever
.
- Increasing or
unusual pain.
- Excessive bleeding that has soaked through the
dressing.
Changing a dressing
Before you start, make sure
you have gauze pads, surgical gloves, surgical tape, a plastic bag, and
scissors. Then:
- Prepare supplies by opening the gauze
packages and cutting new tape strips.
- Put on surgical
gloves.
- Loosen the tape around the old dressing.
- Remove
the old dressing.
- Remove the surgical gloves. At this point, you
may want to clean the incision. (See instructions below.)
- Wash your
hands, and put on another pair of surgical gloves.
- Inspect the
incision for signs of infection.
- Hold a clean, sterile gauze pad by
the corner and place over the incision.
- Tape all four sides of the
gauze pad.
- Put all trash in the plastic bag, including
gloves.
- Seal plastic bag and throw it away.
- Wash your
hands.
Cleaning an incision
To clean the incision:
- Gently wash it with soap and water to remove
the crust.
- Do not scrub or soak the wound.
- Do not use
rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or mercurochrome, which can harm
the tissue and slow wound healing.
- Air-dry the incision or pat it
dry with a clean, fresh towel before reapplying the dressing.
Caring for stitches, staples, or adhesive strips
Stitches or staples normally cause some redness and swelling where the
stitch enters the skin, along with mild irritation and itching. Some drainage
from the incision may be expected for the first few days after surgery. But if
the discharge does not decrease after a few days, becomes bright red with
blood, or contains pus, contact your doctor.
The incisions may be
protected with small adhesive strips (such as Steri-Strips) instead of a
dressing or bandage. You usually do not have to change these strips. Leave them
in place until they become loose or fall off on their own.
Understanding special instructions
After some
surgeries, you may be given special instructions other than these for taking
care of the incision. Be sure to follow those instructions carefully. If you
are confused by the instructions or you have a question, call your doctor's
office. If the office is closed, leave a message with the answering service. If
your pain has increased or you suspect you may have an infection, call your
doctor as soon as possible.
