Post op advice...

[judda]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how long to keep the incisions covered after surgery? I have changed my dressings a few times since Friday but they’re starting to itch my skin now and irritate me! Thanks in advance

[luthien]

What dressings do you use? It could be the adhesive in the dressing; I found that if I used them only during the day when I knew clothes could catch on the incisions it was fine.

How do the incisions look? Are they healing well? no weeping? if they look a bit pink but otherwise healing that's fine; you can leave them uncovered. My nurse after my surgery said to keep them covered for a few days then air dry them when you can and overnight (if wearing baggy clothes that won't rub them) as it will help them heal faster. Keep them moisturised with colloidal silver gel / spray (amazon) that is water based so won't dissolve the scab and is a natural antibacterial. I find savlon etc makes the scab all wet and the cut opens again. If you don't have colloidal silver, then aloe vera gel, witch hazel gel or coconut oil work well too with similar properties but less powerful antibacterial.

[judda]

Thanks! I’m just using some sterile adhesives from Tesco at the minute and I think it is the adhesive that’s irritating me as my skin is all pink where it’s been. They look like they’re healing well, I’m still bruised and swollen but I’m not worried about infection etc. I’ve got coconut oil so I’ll use that for now and order some of that colloidal from amazon...thanks very much for the advice x

[LittleG22]

I boiled water, let it cool then added some salt (but not so much that it doesn't dissolve) and cleaned the wound. Salt helps healing and boiled water is sterile. The let it air-dry.

I haven't heard of the colloidal cream but I would be careful of too much moisture as it can encourage infection.

My nurse told me to leave the plasters off as much as possible after the first few days/week, but wear some long t shirts so they are not open to the elements completely.

It may be that you are allergic to the adhesive in the plasters. I get raised red bumps after taking them off sometimes.

[LittleG22 in reply to LittleG22]

I just washed them in the salt water once a day after my shower. They have healed up nicely 5 months on.

[judda in reply to LittleG22]

Yeah I’ve got little red lumps all over my stomach but feels much less itchy now I’ve taken them off. Thanks for your advice x