Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Itchiness Around The Wound After An Ankle Surgery?
Question: Hi. I had ankle surgery done in November 2014 and was in plaster until January 9th. I have developed an itch since Tuesday and ended up scratching at the site of the wound. It started discharging pus today evening, but I cannot get any medicine until tomorrow, as my GP's surgery is closed. Any advice would be very helpful and appreciated. Many thanks.
Brief Answer:
Best to use supportive treatment for this one day ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I can understand your situation ma'am, and it appears as though the region in speaking has been infected. During the healing period the scar tissue can cause a little itching, and I do not blame you for this.
But if at all it is infected, then you will most definitely require antibiotic coverage, and if at all the wait is just for one day then there is no point in prescribing you any antibiotics now, because your doctor may want to change the antibiotic tomorrow (once you visit him/her) to a more suitable one (which will be decided based on the type of infection, degree, and your personal history), and then the antibiotic that you have used for a day may end up becoming resistant for you (which happens due to an incomplete course of antibiotics), which is not a good thing as it will not be effective for you in the future again. I hope you understand this, please feel free to write back to me with anything that is unclear on the above mentioned information.
So for now I have the following suggestions:
+Keep the area clean and dry
+Cover it with a sterile dressing (if you can get your hand on some through a medical store)
+Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution (also easily available at a medical store)
+Use a mild pain management medication as pain and fever can be expected, and will be controlled with this medication
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Best to use supportive treatment for this one day ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I can understand your situation ma'am, and it appears as though the region in speaking has been infected. During the healing period the scar tissue can cause a little itching, and I do not blame you for this.
But if at all it is infected, then you will most definitely require antibiotic coverage, and if at all the wait is just for one day then there is no point in prescribing you any antibiotics now, because your doctor may want to change the antibiotic tomorrow (once you visit him/her) to a more suitable one (which will be decided based on the type of infection, degree, and your personal history), and then the antibiotic that you have used for a day may end up becoming resistant for you (which happens due to an incomplete course of antibiotics), which is not a good thing as it will not be effective for you in the future again. I hope you understand this, please feel free to write back to me with anything that is unclear on the above mentioned information.
So for now I have the following suggestions:
+Keep the area clean and dry
+Cover it with a sterile dressing (if you can get your hand on some through a medical store)
+Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution (also easily available at a medical store)
+Use a mild pain management medication as pain and fever can be expected, and will be controlled with this medication
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
