Proper care of your surgical wound and drain is essential for a smooth recovery. Keeping the area clean and following these instructions will help prevent infection, reduce discomfort, and promote faster healing. Please read the following guidelines carefully and contact our office if you have any questions or notice any signs of infection or unexpected changes.

​

General Wound Care (Closed Wounds)

• Keep your surgical incision clean and dry.

• You may shower 24–48 hours after surgery (unless told otherwise).

  • Let warm, soapy water run gently over the incision, then pat dry with a clean towel.

  • Do not scrub the incision or apply lotions, powders, or ointments unless prescribed.

• Do not soak in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub until cleared at your follow-up visit.

• A small amount of bruising or mild swelling is normal.

  • If you notice spreading redness, drainage, or increasing tenderness, contact our office.

• If surgical glue or Steri-Strips are used:

  • Let them fall off on their own—do not peel them off.

• If you have staples or sutures, they will be removed during your follow-up appointment.

​

General Wound Care (Open wounds)

These instructions are designed to help you care for your open wound at home. Your wounds may be left open to heal from the inside out in certain circumstances such as when an abscess is drained, or following procedures for Hidradenitis suppurativa . Good wound care will promote healing, reduce pain, and help prevent infection or complications.​​

Keeping the Wound Clean

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after touching your wound or dressing.

• Clean the wound once or twice daily (or as directed):

  1. Gently remove the old dressing.

  2. Rinse the wound with warm tap water or saline solution.

  3. Use mild soap and water around the wound if needed, but avoid scrubbing directly on the healing tissue.

  4. Pat the area dry with a clean towel or gauze—do not rub.

Dressing Changes

• Always use clean or sterile supplies.

• Apply fresh dressing after each cleaning:

  • Use non-stick gauze or another dressing recommended by your surgeon. The wound should be kept moist to allow healing and specific instructions to do this will be provided to you

  • Secure with paper tape or an adhesive bandage—avoid wrapping too tightly.

• Keep the wound covered at all times unless instructed otherwise.

• Change the dressing if it becomes wet, dirty, or loose.

Showering and Bathing

• You may shower unless specifically told not to.

  • Let water run gently over the wound; avoid high-pressure spray.

  • Do not soak the wound in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub until cleared by your surgeon.

• After showering, gently pat the wound dry and apply a clean dressing.

Monitoring for Infection

Call our office if you notice any of the following:

• Redness spreading around the wound

• Swelling or warmth at the site

• Increasing pain or tenderness

• Thick, yellow, green, or foul-smelling drainage

• Fever of 101.5°F (38.5°C) or higher

• Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure

​

Drain Care (if applicable)

• Some patients go home with a surgical drain to remove fluid from under the skin.

• Keep the drain secured to your clothing to prevent pulling.

• Empty the bulb or reservoir 2–3 times daily or whenever it’s half full:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly.

  2. Open the plug and pour the contents into a measuring cup.

  3. Record the amount and color of fluid in your drainage log.

  4. Compress the bulb to create suction before closing the plug.

• Strip the drain to remove any clots or debri daily. Pinch the drain close to its origin with you non-dominant hand. Then use your dominant hand to milk the tubing and its contents towards the drainge bulb. Take care not to pull on the drain at its origin. We will show you how to do this before you are discharged with the drain. 

• Expect the drainage to start bloody, then become pink, and finally a clear yellow as healing progresses.

• Call our office if you notice:

  • Sudden increase in drainage amount

  • Thick, cloudy, or foul-smelling fluid

  • Drain not staying compressed (loss of suction)

  • Drain accidentally pulled out or leaking around the insertion site

​

When to Call the Office

• Redness, warmth, or swelling around your incision or drain site

• Drainage that becomes cloudy, pus-like, or foul-smelling

• Fever of 101.5°F (38.5°C) or higher

• Drain output suddenly stops or increases sharply

• Drain falls out or you are unable to re-compress it

​

Additional Tips

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn’t rub against your incision or drain.

• Carry your drain in a small pouch or pinned to your clothing to keep it secure.

• Continue recording drain output until instructed to stop.

• Bring your drain log to your follow-up appointment.