Should The Abscess Site Be Covered After The Abscess Lance Procedure?

Posted on Wed, 21 Jan 2015

Question: I had an abscess lanced on Tuesday night, it was packed and instructions from the Dr was to remove the packing today 12/25. I have done as instructed an am about to thaw a shower, should I put some kind of protective bandage over the incursion to protect it from direct water spray??

Answered by Dr. M Y Shareef (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No ! It is not essential to cover it.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.

No. I do not consider it necessary to put any kind of protective bandage over it while showering. You could rather clean the area in the usual way you clean other parts of your body, but please ensure to make it dry and apply a protective anti septic dressing over it after the shower. This would ensure cleanliness of the wound as well. The drained abscess would take its own time to heal depending on the site. I am sure your doctor must have tested your blood sugar as a pre operative routine investigation.

I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. I wish you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar