para>This series of images show the steps of an adult doing good hand washing. They include wetting the hands, lathering up with soap, scrubbing for 20 seconds, rinsing for 10 seconds, using a towel to dry the hands, and then turning off the faucet with the towel.View Original
This series of images show the steps of an adult doing good hand washing. They include wetting the hands, lathering up with soap, scrubbing for 20 seconds, rinsing for 10 seconds, using a towel to dry the hands, and then turning off the faucet with the towel.
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This series of images show the steps of a child using a hand sanitizer. They include putting sanitizer on the hands and rubbing them together, including the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and nail beds until all the sanitizer is gone.
View Original
This series of images show the steps of a child using a hand sanitizer. They include putting sanitizer on the hands and rubbing them together, including the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and nail beds until all the sanitizer is gone.
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- If the infection was in an arm or leg, keep it raised above the level of the heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- If you have a drain tube, you may need to empty it and measure the amount that is in the drainage ball or container.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may change or take out your packing a few days after the procedure.
- If you go home with a drain, the doctor most often takes out the drain tube after drainage has stopped and the infection is gone.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity to help your wound heal. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- You may need a splint if you have a wound in your arm, hand, or leg. This will help control motion to let the wound heal faster.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Infection may not clear up or may go to the bloodstream
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- A new rash
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
New Zealand Dermatologic Society ‚
http://www.dermnetnz.org/bacterial/wound-infection.html ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-11-23 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚