Rash (?) near incision site

I've had an itch for a few days and noticed the site around the incision (not closed and seeps a little) looks like I have a rash.

My incision in on my left side and under a roll of tummy fat, no nicer way to put it, and it is hard to get air to it .

Now I have been washing with liquid dial soap (no frangrance added), rinsing well, blow drying, no powder at all, and putting Neosporin on it and a light dressing during the day (air out at night and dressing is not taped on my roll holds it in place)

I took an epsom salt bath 2 nights ago and did not get any soap from bath water in it.

I've been doing warm compresses once or twice a day , the nurse had told me it would help draw out the fluid and it is better out than in.

I just don't want some sort of infection to start!

Doc's offices is closed, intend to call them tomorrow, and cousin who is a nurse is at work.

I am not sure if the seepage is doing this, soap, Neosporin, or lack of powder I usually use to keep things dry.

Thought I'd ask if anyone else has this, had this, any thing I am missing I ought to ask the nurse tomorrow?

It sounds like you're being pretty conscientious! If anything, you might not be allowing things to really "air out" and dry. I changed my dressings (or more accurately, dh did it for me) twice a day, and I allowed the area to dry twice a day, too.

FWIW, I didn't use anything at all on my incision -- in fact, my docs were clear they didn't want me to use any soap at all. I just allowed the warm water of the shower to cascade over the incision area to "irrigate" it well once a day... Then I allowed the area to air-dry thoroughly. (I would actually lie on the bed and watch about 40 minutes of TV to allow it to thoroughly dry.) Then I'd put fresh dressings on. In the evening, I patted the area with a (clean, of course) warm, wet washcloth and again allowed everything to dry thoroughly.

I did use a tummy binder, which kept the incision from being irritated by the "belly rolls" (you're right, there's no delicate way to put that). You might want to ask the doc if you would benefit from using a binder. It also had the advantage of allowing me to avoid using the nasty adhesive tape, which tends to react badly on my skin.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for the reply

	Quote:
It sounds like you're being pretty conscientious!

I've been worried since I saw where that incision was due to the nice dark warm moist spot that it is in.
I can handle aches and pains but prefer to avoid infections 100%

Last infection I had was an ear infection that led to a cronic ear infection that led to surgery.

Yup... hate infections with a passion.

Talked to our cousin, she's a nurse (I love having a nurse in the family) and she said it could be the neosporin, not airing enough, even the fluid seeping giving me a reaction.

Yeast infections can start in those rolls and since I was on an antibiotic a few days ago it could have started one.

Geesh!

She told me to use a cold compress and contact the doctor tomorrow to either get advice or an appointment and to let it air out more.

Those telfa no-stick bandages are great but hold moisture in.

Again.... geesh!

I hope if the doc says a binder would help then she can tell me where to find one in my size. *rolling eyes*

Update

Rather hilarious really.

I did an online search through Yahoo search engine about rashes near incisions and my post on here came up *lmao*

Called the doc office, they took 4 1/2 hours to call back because they couldn't find my file.
geez...

They are calling in a cortizone ointment with an antibiotic in it since the rash is going to the loin it may be yeast related.

Wash it with soap and water twice a day, dry well, air out as much as possible (tummy binder not a good idea since it will make me sweat), use ointment 3 times a day.

If no improvement by Monday then I need to call again.

Here's hoping....

I am about 4.5 mos. out, and developed a rash two days ago, went to the dr today, she gave me antibiotic to take and said if I get a fever, throwing up, chills, etc, to call, and if not better by Monday call her. Its more of a staph infection. It hurts, it looks like a rug burn. Take care.
Teresa