Incision Care

What is Incision Care

An incision is a cut that a doctor makes in your skin for surgery (for a procedure). Most times, these cuts are closed after surgery. Your cut from surgery may be closed with stitches (sutures), staples, skin glue, or skin tape (adhesive strips).

You may need to return to your doctor to have stitches or staples taken out. This may happen many days or many weeks after your surgery. The cut needs to be well cared for so it does not get infected.

How to care for your cut

Cut care

  • Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your cut. Make sure you:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
    • Change your bandage as told by your doctor.
    • Leave stitches, skin glue, or skin tape in place. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If tape strips get loose and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove tape strips completely unless your doctor says it is okay.
  • Check your cut area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • More redness, swelling, or pain.
    • More fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Ask your doctor how to clean the cut. This may include:
    • Using mild soap and water.
    • Using a clean towel to pat the cut dry after you clean it.
    • Putting a cream or ointment on the cut. Do this only as told by your doctor.
    • Covering the cut with a clean bandage.
  • Ask your doctor when you can leave the cut uncovered.
  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.

Medicines

  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, cream, or ointment, take the antibiotic or put it on the cut as told by your doctor. Do not stop taking or putting on the antibiotic even if your condition gets better.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.

General instructions

  • Limit movement around your cut. This helps healing.
    • Avoid straining, lifting, or exercise for the first month, or for as long as told by your doctor.
    • Follow instructions from your doctor about going back to your normal activities.
    • Ask your doctor what activities are safe.
  • Protect your cut from the sun when you are outside for the first 6 months, or for as long as told by your doctor. Put on sunscreen around the scar or cover up the scar.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

  • Your have more redness, swelling, or pain around the cut.
  • You have more fluid or blood coming from the cut.
  • Your cut feels warm to the touch.
  • You have pus or a bad smell coming from the cut.
  • You have a fever or shaking chills.
  • You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous) or you throw up (vomit).
  • You are dizzy.
  • Your stitches or staples come undone.

Get help right away if:

  • You have a red streak coming from your cut.
  • Your cut bleeds through the bandage and the bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure.
  • The edges of your cut open up and separate.
  • You have very bad (severe) pain.
  • You have a rash.
  • You are confused.
  • You pass out (faint).
  • You have trouble breathing and you have a fast heartbeat.

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