INCISION AND DRAINAGE AFTERCARE An abscess is a collection of infected fluid beneath the skin. The area was opened and drained to allow the infection to heal. Some continued drainage is expected after the procedure. YOUR MEDICATIONS Use mupirocin ointment only if it was prescribed for you. Apply it as directed by your physician. If an oral antibiotic was prescribed, take it exactly as directed and complete the prescribed course unless our office tells you otherwise. Not every drained abscess requires an oral antibiotic. Treatment depends on the size and location of the infection, surrounding redness, fever or other symptoms, medical history, culture results, and whether the infection is recurrent. FIRST 24 HOURS Keep the original dressing in place unless it becomes saturated, wet, loose, or heavily soiled. Some blood-tinged or yellow drainage is expected. Replace the dressing sooner if drainage reaches the edges or leaks through. Do not squeeze, press, or attempt to drain the area yourself. AFTER THE FIRST 24 HOURS Wash your hands before touching the area. Remove the dressing and gently clean the site with mild soap and warm water. Pat dry. Apply a thin layer of mupirocin if prescribed. Otherwise, follow the ointment instructions given by your physician. Cover the site with a clean Band-Aid or non-stick dressing. Add gauze if there is continued drainage. Change the dressing once or twice daily and whenever it becomes wet or soiled. Continue until the opening has closed and drainage has stopped. WARM COMPRESSES Apply a warm, moist compress for approximately 10–15 minutes, three to four times daily for the first several days. The compress should feel comfortably warm, not hot. Warm compresses may improve comfort and encourage continued spontaneous drainage. Do not squeeze or force drainage from the area. SHOWERING AND WATER EXPOSURE You may shower unless instructed otherwise. Allow warm water to run gently over the site. Do not scrub or direct strong water pressure into the opening. Avoid swimming pools, oceans, lakes, hot tubs, baths, and prolonged soaking until the wound has closed and drainage has stopped. WHAT TO EXPECT The site may remain tender, swollen, firm, or bruised for several days. A small amount of blood-tinged, yellow, or cloudy drainage may occur as the cavity continues to empty. The opening may remain visible while it heals from the inside outward. Pain, swelling, redness, and drainage should gradually improve rather than worsen. The area may feel firm for several weeks even after the infection has resolved. PAIN RELIEF Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, may be used as directed if you can take it safely. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen for procedure-related discomfort unless approved by your physician. Do not stop medically necessary aspirin, blood thinners, or other prescribed medications without speaking with the clinician who manages them. ACTIVITY Avoid friction, pressure, shaving, or tight clothing over the area. Limit strenuous activity if movement causes pain, bleeding, or increased drainage. Do not squeeze, probe, or insert anything into the opening. WHEN TO CONTACT OUR OFFICE Call our office promptly if you develop: Increasing redness or redness spreading away from the site Increasing warmth or swelling Worsening pain after initial improvement Fever or chills Red streaking Foul odor Thick or increasing pus Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure Rapid reaccumulation of a painful lump Drainage or swelling that is not gradually improving A wound that appears to be closing while a painful lump is rebuilding underneath Any concern that the infection is worsening FOLLOW-UP AND CULTURE RESULTS A follow-up visit may be recommended depending on the size, location, severity, or recurrence of the abscess. If a culture was collected, your medication may be changed after the results are reviewed. Recurrent abscesses may require additional evaluation, culture-directed treatment, or a separate decolonization plan. CONTACT US Please contact Lincoln Road Dermatology at 305-397-8622 if you have questions or concerns about your healing. These are general instructions. Any individualized instructions provided by your physician take priority.