Finger drain. Finger Paronychia: Expert Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Drainage Procedures
What are the symptoms of finger paronychia. How is finger paronychia diagnosed. What are the treatment options for finger paronychia. How is a finger paronychia drained. What are the post-procedure care instructions for finger paronychia.
Understanding Finger Paronychia: Causes and Symptoms
Finger paronychia is a common infection that occurs around the nail bed, typically at the base or side of the fingernail. This condition can be quite painful and, if left untreated, may lead to more serious complications. But what exactly causes this infection?
The primary culprit behind finger paronychia is the introduction of bacteria under the cuticle. This often happens when individuals chew or tear hangnails with their teeth, or through minor injuries to the nail area. Interestingly, barbers are also at higher risk due to frequent exposure to water and small cuts.
While Staphylococcus is the most commonly identified bacteria in wound cultures, it’s important to note that various types of bacteria, including anaerobes from the mouth, can cause paronychia. This highlights the importance of maintaining proper hand hygiene and avoiding habits that may introduce bacteria to the nail area.
Recognizing the Signs of Finger Paronychia
How can you tell if you’re dealing with a finger paronychia? The symptoms typically develop over a few days and include:
- Increasing swelling at the base of the nail
- Pain and tenderness in the affected area
- Redness around the nail
- A sensation of pressure due to pus build-up
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
If you notice these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Delaying treatment can lead to the infection spreading deeper into the finger, potentially resulting in a felon (a deep tissue abscess) which may require more aggressive interventions and could even lead to loss of function or amputation in severe cases.
Diagnosing Finger Paronychia: What to Expect
When you visit a healthcare provider with suspected finger paronychia, they will typically perform a thorough examination of the affected finger. The diagnosis is usually based on the visible symptoms and the patient’s history. In some cases, additional tests may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis or identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.
Physical Examination
During the physical examination, the healthcare provider will carefully inspect the affected finger, looking for:
- Swelling and redness around the nail
- Any visible pus or discharge
- Tenderness or pain when the area is gently pressed
- Changes in the appearance or texture of the nail
They may also ask about recent injuries to the finger, your occupation, and any habits that might have contributed to the infection, such as nail-biting or frequent exposure to water.
Additional Diagnostic Tests
In most cases, finger paronychia can be diagnosed based on the physical examination alone. However, in some instances, additional tests may be necessary:
- Wound culture: If the infection appears severe or doesn’t respond to initial treatment, a sample of the pus may be collected for laboratory analysis to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.
- Imaging tests: In rare cases where deep tissue involvement is suspected, imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds might be ordered to assess the extent of the infection.
Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and to prevent potential complications. If you suspect you have finger paronychia, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.
Treatment Options for Finger Paronychia
The treatment approach for finger paronychia depends on the severity and stage of the infection. Early intervention can often prevent the need for more invasive procedures. Let’s explore the various treatment options available:
Conservative Management for Early-Stage Infections
If the infection is caught in its early stages, when the nail base is only slightly swollen and red, conservative management may be sufficient. This typically involves:
- Frequent warm soaks: Soaking the affected finger in warm water at least once every two hours can help reduce inflammation and promote drainage.
- Antibiotics: A short course of oral antibiotics, such as cephalexin, may be prescribed to combat the bacterial infection.
- Avoiding irritants: Patients are advised to keep the affected area dry and avoid exposure to irritants that could exacerbate the condition.
This approach is often effective for mild cases and can help prevent the infection from progressing to a more severe stage.
Incision and Drainage for Established Infections
When pus has already collected, or the infection has become established, a more aggressive approach is necessary. In these cases, incision and drainage is the preferred treatment method. This procedure involves:
- Numbing the affected finger, either through ice water immersion or a digital nerve block.
- Making a small incision in the infected area to allow the pus to drain.
- Cleaning the wound and applying appropriate dressings.
This procedure provides immediate relief by releasing the pressure caused by the accumulated pus and allows for faster healing.
Antibiotic Therapy
While antibiotics are not always necessary for minor cases of paronychia, they may be prescribed in certain situations:
- Severe infections
- Patients with compromised immune systems
- Cases where the infection has spread beyond the initial site
The choice of antibiotic depends on the suspected or confirmed causative bacteria and the patient’s individual risk factors.
Step-by-Step Guide to Draining a Finger Paronychia
When conservative management fails or the infection has progressed to the point where pus has accumulated, draining the finger paronychia becomes necessary. This procedure, while relatively simple, requires precision and proper technique to ensure effective treatment and minimize discomfort for the patient. Here’s a detailed guide on how to perform this procedure:
Preparation
Before beginning the procedure, gather the following tools:
- Sterilizing solution
- Ice water
- #11 scalpel
- Sterile gauze
- Gloves
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Numb the finger: Immerse the patient’s affected finger in a cup of ice water until they can no longer tolerate it. This method is quick, painless, and helps soften the cuticle. Alternatively, a digital nerve block can be performed for more extensive procedures.
- Sterilize the area: Once the finger is numb, thoroughly clean the cuticle and surrounding area with the sterilizing solution. This step is crucial for preventing further infection.
- Make the incision: Using the #11 blade, carefully stab under the skin parallel to the nail. The incision should be small but deep enough to reach the pocket of pus. You should see pus begin to drain immediately.
- Drain the abscess: Gently squeeze the surrounding area to encourage drainage of all the pus. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can cause unnecessary pain and potentially spread the infection.
- Clean and dress the wound: After draining, clean the area again with the sterilizing solution and apply a sterile dressing.
It’s important to note that this procedure should only be performed by trained medical professionals. Attempting to drain a paronychia at home can lead to complications and worsen the infection.
Post-Procedure Care and Follow-Up
Proper aftercare is crucial for ensuring complete healing and preventing recurrence of finger paronychia. Here are the key elements of post-procedure care:
Immediate Aftercare
Immediately following the drainage procedure, patients should be instructed to:
- Keep the affected finger elevated to reduce swelling and discomfort
- Avoid getting the dressing wet for the first 24 hours
- Take over-the-counter pain medication if needed for discomfort
Ongoing Care
For the next few days after the procedure, patients should:
- Perform warm water soaks: Soak the affected finger in warm water for 15 minutes, every two hours for the next two days. This helps promote drainage and speeds up healing.
- Keep the area clean and dry: Between soaks, ensure the finger is thoroughly dried and kept clean to prevent reinfection.
- Change dressings regularly: Replace the dressing daily or more frequently if it becomes wet or soiled.
- Monitor for signs of healing: The area should gradually become less red, swollen, and painful. If symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, patients should seek medical attention promptly.
Follow-Up Care
While minor cases of paronychia may not require antibiotics, healthcare providers may prescribe them based on the severity of the infection or the patient’s risk factors. If antibiotics are prescribed, it’s crucial to complete the entire course as directed.
A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns or complications that may arise during the recovery process.
Preventing Recurrence of Finger Paronychia
While finger paronychia is a common condition, there are several steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of developing this painful infection. Prevention strategies focus on maintaining good hand hygiene and avoiding behaviors that can introduce bacteria to the nail area.
Hand Hygiene Practices
Proper hand hygiene is the cornerstone of preventing finger paronychia. Here are some key practices to adopt:
- Regular handwashing: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after handling potentially contaminated objects.
- Use of hand sanitizers: When soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Moisturize: Keep hands well-moisturized to prevent dry, cracked skin which can be more susceptible to infection.
- Nail care: Keep nails clean and trimmed to reduce the risk of hangnails and other injuries.
Avoiding Risk Factors
Certain habits and activities can increase the risk of developing finger paronychia. To minimize risk, consider the following:
- Avoid nail biting and cuticle picking: These habits can damage the skin around the nails, creating entry points for bacteria.
- Use protective gloves: When working with water or chemicals, wear gloves to protect your hands and nails.
- Be cautious during manicures: Ensure that nail salons use sterilized equipment and avoid aggressive cuticle trimming.
- Manage underlying conditions: Certain conditions like diabetes can increase the risk of infections. Proper management of these conditions can help reduce the risk of paronychia.
Early Intervention
If you notice early signs of infection, such as redness or swelling around the nail, take action promptly:
- Begin warm water soaks immediately
- Keep the area clean and dry between soaks
- Avoid manipulating or squeezing the affected area
- Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or don’t improve within a day or two
By adopting these preventive measures and being vigilant about early signs of infection, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing finger paronychia and other nail-related infections.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Finger Paronychia
While many cases of finger paronychia can be managed with home care or minimal medical intervention, there are situations where prompt medical attention is crucial. Recognizing these scenarios can help prevent serious complications and ensure timely treatment.
Signs of Severe Infection
Seek immediate medical care if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications
- Rapid spread of redness or swelling beyond the initial site of infection
- Development of red streaks extending up the arm from the infected finger
- Fever or chills, which may indicate a systemic infection
- Pus or discharge that has a foul odor
- Inability to move the affected finger normally
Underlying Health Conditions
Certain individuals should seek medical attention even for seemingly minor cases of paronychia, especially those with:
- Diabetes or other conditions that compromise the immune system
- Peripheral vascular disease, which can impair healing
- History of severe infections or slow-healing wounds
Failed Home Treatment
If you’ve been attempting to treat the paronychia at home and notice the following, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider:
- Symptoms that persist or worsen after 2-3 days of home treatment
- Recurrent episodes of paronychia, especially if they occur in the same location
- Development of new symptoms or changes in the appearance of the affected area
Remember, early intervention can prevent the progression of the infection and reduce the need for more invasive treatments. When in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional medical advice.
How to drain a finger paronychia
Improve your in-clinic patient care with this article on draining a finger paronychia, a common finger infection.
Siamak Moayedi, MD
3m read
Editors:Shelley Jacobs, PhD
Peer reviewers:Franz Wiesbauer, MD MPH Internist
Last update19th Nov 2020
What is a finger paronychia?
A paronychia is an infection of the nail root of the fingers or toes. It’s a very common infection and is caused by the introduction of bacteria under the cuticle. This is often from people chewing or ripping a hangnail with their teeth, and is also seen in barbers.
In a wound culture, Staphylococcus is the most common bacteria. But, you can have any kind of bacteria (such as anaerobes) from the mouth.
Physical signs of a finger paronychia
Patients usually seek help after a few days of increasing swelling and pain at the base of a nail. The area is sensitive and pressure from the building pus is painful.
If the infection continues, it can extend to the pulp of the finger and cause a felon, or deep tissue abscess. This requires aggressive procedures and can even lead to loss of function or amputation.
Figure 1. Physical signs of a finger paronychia include swelling at the base of the nail, sensitivity to touch, pain, and pressure from pus build-up. A deep tissue abscess, or felon, can develop if the infection continues.
How do you treat paronychia?
If the infection is caught early when the nail base is a little swollen and red, you can prescribe frequent warm soaks (at least once every two hours), and a short course of antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin). An established infection and pus collection require incision and drainage.
Figure 2. Early paronychia infections can be treated with frequent warm soaks and antibiotics. Established infections require incision and drainage.
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The tools you need to drain a finger paronychia
The first step when performing the incision and drainage technique is to collect the necessary medication and tools:
- Sterilizing solution
- Ice water
- #11 scalpel
Figure 3. Tools for a finger paronychia include sterilizing solution, ice water, and #11 scalpel.
How to drain a finger paronychia
This step-by-step procedure ensures a safe, clean, and (relatively) painless abscess drainage:
- Place the patient’s finger in a cup of ice water until they can’t stand it anymore to numb the finger. This method is fast, painless, and softens the cuticle. Alternatively, you can perform a digital nerve block.
- When the finger is numb, clean the cuticle with the sterilizing solution.
- Stab under the skin parallel to the nail, using your #11 blade.
- You will immediately see pus come out.
Figure 4. Procedure for draining a finger paronychia. 1) Numb the finger with ice water or a digital nerve block. 2) Clean the cuticle with sterilizing solution. 3) Stab under the skin parallel to the nail with the #11 blade. 4) Pus will escape from the incision.
Post-procedure care for a finger paronychia
Have your patient soak their finger in warm water every two hours for the next two days. Antibiotics are not needed for minor cases of paronychia, but use your judgment depending on the patient’s risk factors.
Figure 5. After draining a finger paronychia, instruct your patient to soak their finger in warm water every two hours for the next two days.
Excellent job! You’re well on your way to mastering the treatment of a finger paronychia.
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Siamak Moayedi, MD
Associate Professor and Director of Medical Student Education, University of Maryland and Course Director, Essential and Critical Procedures, Emergency Medicine.
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How to Drain a Pus-Filled Finger
By : NCampos on : January 8, 2021 comments : (Comments Off on How to Drain a Pus-Filled Finger)
So here’s a new one for me: I woke up yesterday morning with a very sore ring fingernail on my left hand. I felt it as I staggered to the bathroom still ninety percent asleep. I bumped my hand against the wall, “Ow!” What the heck? I rubbed the edge of the nail a few times as I multitasked at the toilet. It really hurt, but I was still sleeping so I stopped paying attention and went back to bed. I woke up and it was even sorer than before. I must have been bitten by a spider, that’s what I actually thought, because I live amongst many, and they have been at war with me and my kids for the last few years (I still like to think I am winning). My finger had that burning feeling, the same way a spider bite feels, itchy and hot. By afternoon, I could barely touch the fingertip or nail. It hurt particularly badly by the thumb-side cuticle. I tried to play guitar; I could barely press down on the frets.
I thought, “That’s it.” I must have cut my finger and the guitar strings have enough migrated skin bacteria that it got into my wound, which I didn’t actually see, but since I was making stuff up… Anyway, I decided to look it up: Are infections common in guitar players? Blam! Up come articles and posting boards all about infected guitar-finger; many had pictures. Yup that looks just like my finger does, so I started reading. All the rocker-posters said the same thing, “I get these often and repeatedly.” Interestingly, I have never gotten an infected finger from playing guitar. I couldn’t even recognize the type of pain I had originally thought was a spider bite. It was that unfamiliar to me, but I guessed that’s what it had to be because I had no recollection of cutting myself and that was the only way I could fathom I had an infection.
An infected finger close to the nail is called a paronychia. The symptoms are a red, swollen, hot finger – pain to the touch. And there can be pus. I had pus. Upon reading the causes of paronychia, it hit me – I had a hangnail on that finger exactly where it hurt most, which I chewed off. It hurt as a hangnail, it hurt when I yanked it off with my teeth, and it hurt for several days afterward. But then the pain went away for several days. It was only when I bumped my hand into the wall on my way to the bathroom did I have pain again in that finger, and boy was it a doozy.
I tried some of the home remedies I found on the web. First was soak in warm water. It had me thinking, “Horsesh*t,” because I do not equate heat with inflammation relief. But to my surprise, it gave me minimal relief. Very minimal, mind you, but it was something. Then I cleaned it with alcohol (reasonable enough), and put Neosporin (not a huge fan but have some lying about) around the infected cuticle. I took ibuprofen. My finger pain eased substantially, and my hope was that maybe (just maybe) the finger would feel better in the morning.
It didn’t. In fact, it hurt even worse the next day. I couldn’t even put my hand in my pocket without wincing. I contacted my surgeon friend thinking I might need antibiotics. He told me to pop by and he could check it out, probably drain it.
Okay, I was happy to take care of my finger right away. I always say we don’t realize how much we use a body part until we have an injury, then we are reminded how much each body part is integral to our sensing and acting within the world. I went for an adjustment first, because I also had a bit of back pain and sciatica, but that’s another story. After my adjustment, I was feeling fine, I headed over to my friend’s place in West Hollywood. It was pretty obvious at this point it was infected. The pus-filled cuticle was expanding and my finger was red and hard. He took a lance and opened it from the top of the infected cuticle. I didn’t feel a thing, nada. Then he put down the lance and took my ring finger with his right hand and used the left to squeeze out the pus. This I felt – it wasn’t pleasant, but seeing the pus ooze out made it less painful in some way. There was an ample amount of pus, not loads, but maybe the size of a ladybug. However, when there was no more to come out, the squeezing hurt. The finger was so swollen that he had to sort of work the entire area, sort of knead it toward the lanced opening. Once that clear fluid (exudate) started to squeeze out, I knew he had gotten everything. And then, of course, it is followed by blood. A quick cleanup and a bandage with a little antibiotic salve, and voilà, my finger felt better and was now on the mend. No antibiotics needed.
This is what it looks like as I write this. Today I have no pain whatsoever in the finger tip, so I was able to play the guitar. I am typing freely now, while the previous night I still had to improvise. There is still a moderately red band around the joint just beneath the cuticle, and the side which was pus-filled, where the original hangnail was, is still a bit sore. However, my friend told me it would be likely cleared up in a few days. Bravo!
It is amazing to me how one hangnail could have such a huge impact, but it’s a good reminder for me (and you!) to not use our mouths to chew on nails, fingers, hangnails, whatever. The bacteria in our saliva do not belong in our wounds. Further, once you open a wound, even with something as small as a hangnail, anything really can infect it, even your own hands, so practice diligent hygiene. I am not suggesting to be a germophobe, but wounds of every sort warrant a little extra caution, that’s just a fact of life. So if you find yourself with a paronychia, from a cut, hangnail, or chomping at your fingernails, you will need it drained. If you can do it yourself with a sterile lance, have at it. But be clean above all – alcohol, antibacterial salve (Neosporin), and a bandage – and you can probably correct the problem yourself. Just be certain if it doesn’t get significantly better almost immediately (like 24 hrs), go to an Urgent Care. If it gets worse, go to the emergency room (ER) immediately.
Caring for Your Jackson-Pratt Drain
This information will help you learn how to care for your Jackson-Pratt Drain after you leave the hospital. You will also benefit from watching the following video.
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About the Jackson-Pratt Drain System
Figure 1. Jackson-Pratt Drain System
The Jackson-Pratt Drain System consists of a flexible tube attached to a soft plastic vessel with a stopper (see Figure 1). The drainage end of the tube (flat white part) is inserted into the surgical field through the insertion site. The insertion site is a small opening next to the incision.
The drain end of the tube is secured with suture material. The rest of the tube protrudes from your body and is attached to a vessel.
When you compress (squeeze) a vessel with a closed stopper, a uniform, low suction pressure is created. The vessel should always be in a compressed state, in addition to the moment when you empty the drain.
It is not the same for everyone. Some people have a large amount of fluid released through the drain, some do not. Record the amount of fluid released in the drainage log at the end of this resource. Bring the journal to your doctor’s appointments for follow-up.
The length of time you use your Jackson-Pratt drain depends on your surgery and the amount of fluid coming out of the drain. Call your healthcare provider if the amount of fluid coming out of the drain does not exceed 30 milliliters (mL) in 24 hours. Your surgeon may remove the Jackson-Pratt drainage system or leave it on for a longer period for certain procedures
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How to Maintain Your Jackson-Pratt 9 Drain System0005
After you leave the hospital, you will care for your Jackson-Pratt drainage system as follows:
- clean the tube by squeezing it to remove clots;
- empty the drainage system twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. Record the amount of fluid released through the drain in the Jackson-Pratt Drainage Log at the end of this resource. If there are multiple drains, measure and record the amount of fluid for each one separately. Do not summarize readings.
- take care of the place where the tube is inserted into the skin;
- check for problems.
Clean tubing
The following steps will help clear clots from the tubing and restore flow through the drain system. Clean the tubing before emptying the system and measuring the amount of fluid being released. Also, clean the tubing if you notice fluid leaking around the insertion site.
Prepare everything you need before starting. You will need:
- measuring container given to you by a nurse;
- 1 alcohol wipe;
- Jackson-Pratt Drainage Journal, pen or pencil.
Wash your hands. If you wash your hands with soap, wet them and lather. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds, then rinse off the soap. Dry your hands with a disposable towel. Turn off the faucet with the same towel.
If using an alcohol-based hand rub, apply it to your hands. Then rub your hands together until they are dry.- Look at the tube in the mirror. This will help you figure out where your hands should be.
- Pinch the tube between the thumb and forefinger of one hand as close as possible to the insertion site. To make it easier for your fingers to slide through the tube, you can use alcohol wipes. Continue to hold the tube in this manner while cleaning it. This ensures that you do not pull on the skin causing pain.
- With the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, squeeze the tube directly under the fingers of the first hand. Continuing to squeeze your fingers, slide them down the tube, moving the clots towards the vessel.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 as many times as necessary to allow clots to drain from the tube into the vessel. If the clots cannot be drained into the vessel, or if there is little or no fluid coming out, tell your healthcare provider.
Emptying the Jackson-Pratt Drain
Once all the clots are in the vessel, it can be emptied. Prepare a clean work surface. You can use the bathroom or other room where there is a dry, uncluttered surface.
First, remove the drainage vessel from the postoperative bra or bandage, if you are wearing them.
When emptying the Jackson-Pratt drain system, follow the instructions below:
Figure 2 Emptying the Vessel
- Remove the stopper from the top of the vessel. Due to this, the vessel will straighten. Do not touch the inside of the stopper or the inside of the vessel opening.
Turn the vessel upside down and squeeze it slightly. Pour the liquid into a measuring container (see figure 2).
- Turn the vessel with the correct hole up. Squeeze the vessel so that the fingers of your hand touch the palm of your hand. All air must come out of the vessel.
- Continuing to squeeze the vessel, insert the cork into place. Make sure the vessel remains fully compressed to ensure even low suction. For the drainage system to work, the plug must be closed.
- Attach the drainage vessel to your postoperative bra or bandage if you are wearing one. Use a plastic loop or Velcro®. Do not let the drainage system hang freely. You may find it convenient to carry your drainage system in a fanny pack or pouch.
- Check the amount and color of the liquid in the measuring container. In the first couple of days after surgery, the liquid may have a dark red tint. This is fine. As the wound heals, the fluid may turn pink or pale yellow.
- Record the amount (in ml) and color of fluid coming out of the drain in the Jackson-Pratt Drain Log.
- Flush the liquid down the toilet and rinse the measuring container with water.
- At the end of each day, calculate the total amount of fluid excreted during the day. Record the amount of fluid in the last column of the drainage log. If there is more than 1 drainage system, take measurements and keep records for each one separately. Do not summarize readings.
How to care for the injection site
Watch for signs of infection
Wash your hands again after emptying the drainage system. Examine the area around the insertion site for signs of infection, such as:
- sensitivity;
- edema;
- discharge of pus;
- temperature increase;
- more pronounced than usual redness. Sometimes a dime-sized redness develops at the insertion site of the drain. This is fine.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, or if you have a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, call your healthcare provider. He may advise you to apply a bandage to the insertion site.
Keep the skin around the drain site clean and dry
Keep the drain site clean and dry by washing with soap and water, then pat dry with a towel.
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Common Drainage Problems Jackson-Pratt
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The first time, a nurse will watch you empty your drain to make sure you’re doing it right. Once you learn how to care for a Jackson-Pratt drainage system, you will be doing it yourself. Even after you start taking care of the system yourself, you can always ask for help. Call your healthcare provider if you have problems caring for your Jackson-Pratt drainage system.
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How to care for your skin after the drain is removed
Your healthcare provider will remove the drain and cover the insertion site with a bandage. It is important to keep the injection site and adjacent skin clean and dry. This will speed up the healing process and help prevent infection.
If you have undergone reconstructive surgery, skin care after the removal of the drainage system will be different.
Skin care in cases where reconstructive surgery has not been performed
If you had surgery without reconstruction, after removing the drainage system, follow these recommendations:
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours.
- The incision site should not be wetted until it is completely healed and the drainage system is removed. After removing the bandage, you can take a shower, but do not take a bath or swim in the pool.
- Wash the incision site gently with soap and water, rinse with warm water, and pat dry with a towel.
- Examine the incision site, use a mirror if necessary. It is considered normal if you experience:
- slight redness;
- mild swelling;
- sensitivity;
- a small amount of clear or bloody liquid on a gauze swab.
Skin Care After Reconstructive Surgery
If you have undergone reconstructive surgery, follow these guidelines after removing the drainage system.
- Change dressings every 12 hours if necessary.
- Your surgeon will tell you when you can shower after the drain has been removed.
- Do not wet the incision site for 4-6 weeks after reconstructive surgery. Do not take a bath or swim in the pool. For more information, watch the video How to Maintain Your Jackson-Pratt Drainage System.
- Wash the area gently with soap and rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a towel.
- Examine the incision site, use a mirror if necessary. It is considered normal if you experience:
- slight redness;
- mild swelling;
- sensitivity;
- a small amount of clear or bloody liquid on a gauze swab.
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When to call your health care provider
Call your health care provider right away if you have:
- secreted bright red liquid;
- body temperature 101°F (38.3°C) or higher;
- at the injection site of the drainage, redness, sensitivity, swelling, a feeling of pressure increase, or pus is released;
- the skin around the surgical site is hot to the touch;
- you cannot remove the clot into the vessel or the amount of fluid secreted is negligible or it is absent.
Call your healthcare provider Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 if:
- the amount of fluid released through the drain suddenly decreased or increased by 100 ml in the last 24 hours;
- the amount of fluid released through the drainage does not exceed 30 milliliters (ml) in 24 hours;
- the tube falls out of the insertion site;
- you cannot shrink the vessel;
- Are you having trouble maintaining your Jackson-Pratt drainage system?
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Abscess (incision and drainage)
Sometimes an abscess is called an abscess. An abscess occurs when bacteria get under the skin and begin to multiply. As the body reacts to the bacteria, pus forms inside the abscess. An abscess can result from an insect bite, an ingrown hair, a clogged sebaceous gland, a pimple, a cyst, or a penetrating wound.
Your doctor removed pus from your abscess. If the focus of the abscess was large, the doctor could place a gauze pad there. At your next visit, the doctor will need to replace or remove it. If an infection has spread around the wound, you may be given antibiotics. But you may not need them to treat a simple abscess.
The wound will take 1 to 2 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the abscess. Healthy tissue will begin to grow from the bottom and sides of the wound until it closes.
Home Care
These tips will help heal your wound:
Fluid may leak from the wound during the first 2 days. Cover the wound with a clean, dry bandage. If the bandage is wet with blood or pus, change it.
If a cotton swab is placed in the boil, you may be told to remove it yourself. You can do it in the bathroom. Immediately after removing the tampon, wash the wound area in the shower or clean it as directed by your doctor. Keep doing this until the wound closes. Discard the swab carefully to prevent the spread of possible infections. Be sure to wash your hands after changing a tampon or cleaning a wound.
Do not stop taking antibiotics until you have completed the entire course of treatment.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used for pain unless another pain medication is prescribed. If you have chronic liver disease or stomach ulcers, talk with your doctor before taking these medicines.
Follow-up
See your doctor or other specialist as recommended. If a tampon has been placed in your wound, it should be removed after 1-2 days, or as directed by a physician. Check your wound every day for signs of worsening infection. They are listed below.
When to seek medical help
In the following cases, you should immediately consult a doctor:
Increased redness or swelling
Red streaks on the skin coming from a wound
Increased pain or swelling
2 days after treatment, pus still oozes from the wound
Temperature 38°C (100. 4°F) or higher, or as directed by a physician
Return of boil after treatment
© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.
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