Surgery is a risky procedure that needs a lot during and after the procedure. After the surgery, it is the patient’s personal responsibility to make sure the wound is well-taken. A well-taken care incision is at a lower risk of getting infected.
Some patients experience discomfort or pain after surgery because they do not take care of their incisions. When the doctor is closing the incision, the doctor can staple stitch, glue the tissues or strip tape to keep the wound closed. The fresh wound will need post surgery wound care clinic for the doctor to check the wound development just if there is a sign of infection.
Who to tell when an infection is developing?
After the patient is discharged for home-based care, there are some red flags he/she should be aware of if the wound develops some infection. The signs may include:
Excessive or pain that is not normal
After incision, the patient will experience some regular pains on the fresh wound. The pain can be unbearable when the wound has some problems. If the patient experiences a lot of pain that the normal one, he/she is advisable to visit a doctor for check-ups.
A large of yellow or green discharge
A yellow or green discharge that may be in the purse forum may signal that the wound has some infection. Discharge happens typically when the wound is cleaned with too much water. A fresh incision should not be soaked in water, but it should be wiped with a wet towel when cleaning.
Excessive bleeding
After surgery, the incision will bleed but in small portions. If a patient notices a lot of blood, he/she should rush to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
Change in smell
When the incision gets infected, it will start developing a bad smell, which can be from the incision or the discharge. Bad odor is one of the first signs of an infection.
Hardness or redness
When the incision has become hard or red, have a doctor check on the area. The doctor will advise on handling the hardness/ redness and the cause of the problem.
Swelling of the incision
When the incision area increases in size, it is an indication that the area is infected. Visit the doctor to have a check on what is the cause of the infection.
Fever
The final sign should raise a red flag that the incision has some severe infection that needs the doctor’s attention.
Way to reduce the risk of infection
Getting an incision infection can be a dangerous thing to patient health. Infections can lead to another surgery or even death. Hence, it is available to keep away from anything that can lead to infections. Below are some of how infections can be reduced:
- The primary way of keeping away from infections is by visiting a post surgery wound care clinic. The doctor will advise the patient on how to avoid and treat an infection.
- Clean and change the dressing as instructed by the doctor.
- After bathing, do not apply anything on the incision.
- Do not expose the area to heat or sunlight.
- Don’t interfere with the area by either scrubbing or removing the tape strips.
- Keep it dry after a bath.
How to clean an incision
Step 1: Wash with soap and water to remove the outer layer.
Step 2: Dry the incision with a clean towel before dressing the wound.
Having an infection on a fresh incision can be life treating. Post surgery wound care clinics can help avoid infections making the healing process faster and secure.
