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This article was co-written by Jonas DeMuro, MD. Dr. DeMuro is a licensed pediatric health surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his study in Surgical Urgent Care at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and served as a member. from the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 30,010 times.
The daily activities of life can be difficult and uncomfortable during recovery from surgery, and bathing is no exception. Most incisions need to be kept dry, so you should only clean your body according to your doctor’s specific instructions. Some indications include waiting a specified amount of time before bathing, sealing the incision carefully, or both. Depending on the type of surgery, normal hygiene routines can now become inconvenient due to limited range of motion, plus identifying safe bathing areas is not easy. It is important to practice safe bathing habits to avoid infection and injury.
Steps
Clean the Area Around the Incision Safely
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Follow the bath or shower instructions given by your surgeon. The doctor is the one who understands the post-surgery process, and the best way to take the next steps in the recovery phase.
- Each doctor gives clear instructions to follow for the first few days after surgery, including instructions on when it is safe to start bathing. Instructions are mainly based on the type of surgery performed and how the incision is sealed during surgery.
- Instructions on personal hygiene are provided upon discharge from the hospital. You can consult with your doctor promptly whether this information is available at the right time so that you can proactively prevent infection, avoid injury, and continue the recovery process.
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Learn how to seal an incision. Knowing how to close your incision can help you prevent injury and infection. [1] X Research Source
- Four common methods are used to seal an incision: surgical sutures; Staples; gauze (or butterfly patch or bandage); and liquid tissue glue. [2] X Research Source
- Most surgeons also put a waterproof bandage over the incision so you can shower normally if that feels convenient. [3] X Research Sources
- Incisions that are sealed with tissue glue exposed to water 24 hours after surgery can be used in most cases. [4] X Research Sources
- The sutures can be removed after the tissues have completely healed, or automatically absorbed, and will dissolve into the skin without the need for manual removal. [5] X Research Sources
- The care of an incision closed with sutures needs to be removed manually, while staples, or gauze dressings similar to butterfly patches often require keeping the skin dry for an extended period of time. You can do this by continuing to shower with foam, or by covering the incision while showering. [6] X Research Sources
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Wash the incision gently. If the incision does not need to be sealed, you should take care of it by avoiding rubbing or harsh wiping on the area. [7] X Research Sources
- Clean with mild soap and water, but do not allow soap or cleaning products to get on the incision. Let the water run gently over the incision area. [8] X Research Sources
- Most doctors recommend continuing to use your usual soap and hair products.
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Dry the incision gently. After showering, you should remove any covering over the incision (such as gauze or bandages, but do not remove the thin bandage), and allow the incision to dry completely.
- Use a clean towel or gauze pad to gently touch the incision. [9] X Research Source
- Do not wipe vigorously nor remove raised sutures, staples, or bandages that are still in place in the incision.
- Avoid touching the incision and leave the scab on until it falls off automatically, as this scab protects the incision from bleeding. [10] X Research Source
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Apply the indicated cream or ointment. Avoid using poultices on your incisions unless you are specifically instructed by your surgeon. [11] X Research Source
- A doctor-directed dressing change usually includes the use of a poultice. Antibiotic creams or ointments are usually prescribed during a dressing change, but you should only use a poultice if directed by your doctor. [12] X Research Source
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Fix the wound dressing/butterfly patch. After the specified time, keep the incision completely dry. Wet dressings are normal; however, you should not remove the incisions until they have separated from the skin automatically. [13] X Research Source
- Gently pat dry sensitive skin, including wound dressings, as long as they adhere firmly to the surface of the skin.
Keep the Incision Dry
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You should keep your incision completely dry if directed by your doctor. Keeping the incision dry means that you shouldn’t shower for 24 to 72 hours after surgery and is often an effective way to prevent infection and speed healing. [14] X Research Source
- Follow your doctor’s instructions. There are many complications that come with surgery, and the risk of infection or wound damage can be mitigated by following your doctor’s specific instructions. [15] X Research Source
- Have a gauze pad ready to dab on sensitive skin as needed throughout the day, even if you don’t have access to water.
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Seal the incision. Depending on your surgeon’s specific instructions, you may be able to bathe as you see fit, if the incision is in a position that you can carefully seal with a waterproof material.
- Most surgeons will give clear instructions on how they prefer to cover the incision while bathing.
- Use clear plastic wrap, plastic bags, or tight wraps to completely seal the incision. Use medical tape around the edge to prevent water from entering the sensitive area. [16] X Research Source
- For hard-to-reach areas, you can ask a relative or friend to cut a bag or plastic wrap to cover the incision and secure it with a bandage.
- For the shoulders and upper back, in addition to sealing the incision, you can use a plastic bag over it to keep water, soap, and shampoo from getting into the incision while showering. If the incision is on the chest, you should use a plastic bag like a bib to cover the sensitive skin. [17] X Research Source
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Wash with sponge. Until the instructions say that the body can be cleaned, you can use the sponge to clean but keep the incision unaffected. [18] X Research Sources
- Use a sponge or towel dipped in mild soapy water. Dry with a clean towel.
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Avoid taking baths. Most doctors recommend bathing after the allotted time to keep the incision dry has passed, and when it is convenient for you to clean your body. [19] X Research Source
- Do not immerse your incision, sit in a cold or hot bath, or go swimming for at least three weeks or until your doctor tells you to. [20] X Research Source
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Quick shower. Usually, the surgeon will recommend only taking a shower for about five minutes until you are healthy and the incision is showing signs of healing. [21] X Research Source
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Maintain stability. You can ask someone else to bathe you the first few times when you start cleaning your body. [22] X Research Source
- Depending on the type of surgery, you may be able to use a stool, recliner, or armrest to maintain stability and prevent falls. [23] X Research Sources
- Incisions on the knees, legs, ankles, feet, and back can interfere with maintaining a safe balance in a small bathroom, so use a stool, chair, or armrest for support body.
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Position the body so that the incision is away from the water. Avoid letting water run hard on the incision.
- Adjust the water flow before bathing to create the right temperature and regulate the water flow to protect the incision.
Prevent Infection
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Recognize signs of infection. Infection is a common complication of surgery. [24] X Research Source
- Contact your doctor immediately if you think the incision is infected. [25] X Research Sources
- Symptoms of infection include high fever of 38.3°C or higher, nausea and vomiting, severe pain, and redness around the incision, sensitivity to pain, warmth to the touch, discharge smell or be green or yellow, as well as swelling around the incision. [26] X Research Sources
- Research indicates that about 300,000 people who undergo surgery each year in the United States will develop an infection. And unfortunately, 10,000 of them died from the infection. [27] X Research Source
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Recognize the high risk of infection. Certain properties and situations may predispose a person to an infection, or an open incision, to be higher than others.
- Some risk factors include obesity, diabetes, or a weak immune system, malnutrition, corticosteroid use, or smoking. [28] X Research Sources
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Take precautions regarding basic hygiene. General steps you can take at home to prevent infection include washing your hands thoroughly and often, as well as using clean medical equipment to change dressings and after bathing to pat dry sensitive skin. [29] X Research Sources
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, emptying the trash, touching pets, touching dirty clothing, touching anything outside, and after handling soiled dressings. [30] X Research Source
- Remember to advise family members and visitors to wash their hands before coming into contact with someone who has just had surgery. [31] X Research Source
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before surgery if possible, although you should stop for about four to six weeks. Smoking slows wound healing, [32] X Source of study prevents healing tissues from getting oxygen and increases the risk of inflammation. [33] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
Knowing When to Call the Doctor
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Contact your doctor if you have a fever. Mild fever after major surgery is completely common, but if the fever is above 38.3°C, the incision may be infected. [34] X Research Source
- Other signs of infection that alert you to call your doctor right away include redness of the surrounding skin, pus discharge from the incision, an unusual odor or color discharge, sensitivity to pain in the skin, warmth to the touch, or swelling in the incision area. [35] X Research Source
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Contact your doctor if the incision begins to bleed. Wash your hands thoroughly, then use a clean gauze pad or towel to gently blot the blood stain. Call your doctor immediately. [36] X Research Source
- Do not press hard on the incision. You should only apply gentle pressure and cover the skin with clean, dry gauze until you see a doctor or other medical facility to have it checked. [37] X Research Source
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Seek medical attention if you experience unusual symptoms. If you have stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, or yellowing of your skin or eyes, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. [38] X Research Source
- Or if you notice blood clot symptoms: paleness, cool to the touch, chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual swelling of an arm or leg. [39] X Research Sources
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This article was co-written by Jonas DeMuro, MD. Dr. DeMuro is a licensed pediatric health surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his study in Surgical Urgent Care at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and served as a member. from the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 30,010 times.
The daily activities of life can be difficult and uncomfortable during recovery from surgery, and bathing is no exception. Most incisions need to be kept dry, so you should only clean your body according to your doctor’s specific instructions. Some indications include waiting a specified amount of time before bathing, sealing the incision carefully, or both. Depending on the type of surgery, normal hygiene routines can now become inconvenient due to limited range of motion, plus identifying safe bathing areas is not easy. It is important to practice safe bathing habits to avoid infection and injury.
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