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This information will help you and your family care for your incision once you return home. This should only be used as a reference guide; your health care provider’s instructions should always be followed first.
Keep Sheets, Towels, Clothes, and Equipment Clean
Why it matters: Dirty fabric can carry germs that may cause infection.
What to do:
- Put clean sheets on your bed before you come home from surgery.
- Change your sheets at least twice a week, or sooner if they get dirty.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on when it’s safe to shower or take a bath. Once you’re cleared, use a clean towel every time you bathe or shower.
- Don’t share towels with anyone.
- Wear clean clothes every day. Loose clothing is best, so it doesn’t rub your wound.
- When your clothes get soiled or wet, change them to clean clothes.
- Wash clothes, towels, and sheets in hot water with detergent, and dry them completely.
- Clean transfer devices and equipment (such as wheelchairs, slings, transfer boards, etc.) before use.
Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Why it matters: Germs on your hands can get into your wound.
What to do:
- Wash your hands before and after touching near your wound or changing the bandage. Bandages should only be changed as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Use soap and water and scrub for 20 seconds (sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Anyone helping you should also wash their hands before touching your skin or bandages
Watch for Signs of Infection
Call the Nurse Help Line if you notice:
- Changes in skin appearance, such as skin looking deep red, purple, or darker brown. An incision that’s healing might look pink on lighter skin; it should not be inflamed or deep red.
- Swelling or drainage
- Heat or warmth at the incision site
- Tender, enlarged lymph nodes in an armpit or the groin area
- An ongoing fever of 100.5°F (38 °C) or higher that does not go away
- The incision pulls apart or opens up
If your incision is covered by a cast, make sure you’re not experiencing any of the following:
- Drainage seeping through the cast
- Pain at the incision site under the cast
- Foul odor coming from the cast
- Warmth, heat, or chill coming from under the cast
Bandage (dressing) Care
- If your bandages get dirty or wet in the first 48 hours after surgery, call the Nurse Help Line at 651-229-3890.
- Keep the bandage on as your provider directs.
- The Steri-Strip bandages will peel off and eventually come off your skin. If these start to pull up from the edges, trim the edges off. If the Steri-Strip comes off and the incision looks like it still needs to heal, put on a new Steri-Strip. They can be found at a drug store.
Keep the Incision Dry
- Showers: Follow instructions provided by your doctor.
- Tub baths: Don’t take a tub bath while you have an open surgical incision. Wait until at least 14 days after your surgery, or until your doctor says it’s okay.
- Sponge baths: You may take a sponge bath but make sure to keep your incision(s) dry.
- Swimming or bodies of water: Avoid any body of water (including pools, hot tubs, whirlpools, oceans, rivers, and lakes) for 30 days after your surgery, or until your doctor says it’s okay.
Reduce Scarring
To help your incision heal with less scarring:
- Try to keep the incision out of the sun for one year. Cover the area and use sunscreen outdoors.
- Use vitamin E oil on the scar when your provider says it is safe.
- Good nutrition is necessary for healing. Eat foods rich in protein and vitamin C. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole-grain foods (brown rice, quinoa, whole-corn tortillas, whole-grain breads, etc.).
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team.
If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact the Nurse Help Line at 651-229-3890.
