incision care

I noticed someone mentioned in a post that their doctor said not to do straight peroxide. My dr didn't send me home with any directions about incision care. My papers say to notify dr if it was red, infected, etc. I think mine are looking a little more red today than the other days, but isn't a little bit normal? They don't look infected. Anyone else having incision issues?

Lisa

Hopefully your incision is doing better by now. I had redness but never any oozing or warmth around it.

Of course if you are concerned giving the doctor a ring wouldn't hurt.

One of my lap Incisions opened a tiny bit. My surgeon said to wash it daily with warm soapy water gently (basically in the shower), dry and apply a dry bandaid or bandage over and to call if there are sign a of infection such as increased drainage, redness or fever. I would not use peroxide even diluted as that will work against healing. I am a nurse and we stopped using peroxide on most wounds some years ago. Some redness or pink around the edges is normal. If your incisions are more red, could just be part of the healing process or they may have been irritated by clothing or something. Just keep an eye out and call if you have concerns. Just keep them clean and dry. Moisture invites bacteria.

My doctor told me to clean my incision with peroxide and then to pat it dry with a clean gauze pad. She told me to do this after my staples were removed on Tuesday but not before then. Check with your doctor to see what they recommend.

My incision was glued. I waited until the glue was gone and I applied Mederma for scars. I can not believe how great it looks. I had surgery 4 weeks ago and probably waited 1 1/2 weeks before applying it. Dr said it looked great!!!

I second what CMT said. I'm a nurse and don't have peroxide in my house or office- I'm a school nurse. Soap and water is the way to go!

Holly in south jersey

i've done daily cleaning in the shower using just soap/water -- no scrubbing or picking or digging at it. but my small incision is in my navel, and due to this heat it's almost impossible to keep the area clean and dry. sweat, and the fact that the skin folds around itself there are my two big enemies. my healing has been slow. doc saw it yesterday (5 weeks, 3 days post-op) and pulled out two loose stitches. tugged a third, but let go when i made an ouchy-face. (felt like a bee sting, that one!)

is there anything i can do to help it heal faster? i haven't had any redness, but do see the area get somewhat oozy. no other irritation, other than sensitive skin on my abdomen. anyone else with navel incisions taking extra long to heal?

doc said she thought it was fine, and would feel better as the stitches work their way out of the skin over the next few weeks. huh, i thought they'd be gone by now!

doc said not to massage it with any lotion or oils until the stitches are gone.

tips?????