Your doctor has performed an incision and drainage to treat a cyst, abscess, or other skin lesion. Depending of the depth of the abscess, the wound may be packed with sterile gauze to help soak up further oozing and help with healing of the wound. To ensure a well-healed wound, these instructions should be followed:

Instructions for wound care if packing is NOT used

  1. Remove the bandage after 24 hours.
  2. Clean the I&D site with gentle soap and water and pat dry. If packing was used please keep in place.
  3. Apply a small amount of Aquaphor, Vaseline or Mupirocin Ointment (if prescribed) to the site as directed.
  4. 4)   Cover the I&D site with a bandage.
  5. 5)   For those difficult areas to bandage (i.e. scalp, behind ears, lips, etc.) always keep a good amount of ointment on the site.
  6. Continue wound care twice daily until healed. The healing process can take 1 to 4 weeks.    
  7. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you experience discomfort. If you are not able to take Tylenol, please contact our office for an alternative.  ** Mild redness around the site is NORMAL.

** Call the office immediately at (561) 498-4407 if you experience any of these symptoms:
     ~ Fever over 100.4 degrees
     ~ Increase in redness.  **Mild redness is normal.
     ~ Swelling
     ~ Increasing or Severe pain
     ~ Drainage of pus.  **Mild drainage is normal.
     ~ If bleeding occurs which you cannot stop with firm pressure for 20 minutes

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