What are the wound care instructions for an abscess that has been incised and drained?

Wound Care Instructions for Incised and Drained Abscess

For a drained abscess, simply cover the surgical site with a dry dressing and change it daily until the wound heals. 1

Initial Care After Incision and Drainage

• First 24-48 hours:

  • Keep the original dressing in place for the first 24 hours unless instructed otherwise
  • Monitor for signs of continued drainage
  • Take pain medication as prescribed

• Dressing changes:

  • Wash hands thoroughly before touching the wound
  • Remove old dressing and discard properly
  • Clean the wound with mild soap and water or saline solution
  • Pat dry with clean gauze
  • Apply a new sterile dressing
  • Secure with medical tape

Wound Management Principles

• Packing considerations:

  • Packing is generally not necessary for most simple abscesses 2
  • For wounds larger than 5 cm, packing may help reduce recurrence 2
  • If packing was placed, follow specific instructions from your provider about when and how to remove or change it

• Cleaning technique:

  • Clean wound with warm water and mild soap
  • Warm soaks (15-20 minutes, 3-4 times daily) help promote drainage and healing 3
  • Avoid scrubbing the wound aggressively

When to Seek Medical Attention

Return to your healthcare provider immediately if you notice:

• Increased pain, swelling, or redness around the wound
• Red streaks extending from the wound
• Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
• Foul-smelling or increased drainage
• The wound reopens or appears to be getting larger
• Signs of systemic illness (chills, fatigue, nausea)

Antibiotic Considerations

• Antibiotics are generally not needed after successful drainage of a simple abscess 1, 4
• Antibiotics may be prescribed in specific situations:
  • Presence of significant surrounding cellulitis
  • Systemic signs of infection or sepsis
  • Immunocompromised status
  • Incomplete drainage
  • Location in high-risk areas

Follow-up Care

• Keep all follow-up appointments
• Continue wound care until the site is completely healed
• Maintain good personal hygiene to prevent recurrence
• For recurrent abscesses, additional evaluation may be needed to identify underlying causes

Special Considerations

• For perianal or perirectal abscesses, special care is needed to keep the area clean after bowel movements 1
• For abscesses in areas with high friction or moisture (armpits, groin), more frequent dressing changes may be necessary
• If diabetes is present, maintain good glucose control to promote healing