How long does an abscess wound take to heal?

[Soresoresore]

Had emergency surgery under general anaesthetic to cut out an abscess 3 weeks ago. Surgical wound was 6cm deep initially and is now 3.5cm deep.

It’s being packed and dressed every other day at the clinic and is obviously healing but is still a big open wound with lots of clear exudate.

I have googled but cannot find anything on healing times. Has anyone had anything similar? How long before you stopped having to go and have it packed and dressed?

Thank you!

@Frazzled2207

OP given the size it does seem to be healing really quickly which is great

Regarding diet, I wasn’t told that but was told to keep as active as possible to keep plenty of oxygen going through the bloodstream

I’m a runner and was unable to run for several weeks, until the nurse let my dh do the dressings and at that point I’d run then shower and let my dh sort it immediately afterwards. Helped my recovery I think.

The district nurses have all commented on how well it is healing and seem very pleased with how ‘clean’ it is - long May it last! THEY (the DNS) have done this for me and have enabled it to heal. The only thing I have done is change the outer Kliniderm dressing if it has become saturated. I haven’t touched the packing. They do this every other day.

Honestly, I have been treated so well.

olympicsrock
Thank you! Yes, every other day it gets changed. I was booked in for a home visit today (Bank hol) and have one on Monday (another Bank hol) so a day late but they have been happy to book these in.

As I said upthread, only one DN suggested quite early on that I should be packing it myself as they are ‘very busy’. She said I could fill it with some sort of Gel? I I mentioned it at my next appointment (I see a different person each time) and she was horrified and said ‘No way!’.
😅

@olympicsrock

Agree with Frazzled advice , once it becomes manageable/ more superficial / smaller, it is good to remove the dressing then have a shower using water to wash out the cavity before you apply a new dressing. Makes you feel human to be able to shower again.

I have been showering every day! I have been making massive waterproof plasters using duck tape! I cut a piece off a plastic food bag so that nothing sticks to the dressing. The piece of plastic goes over the dressing and the tape sticks to my skin! It works brilliantly! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I had exactly the same wound after an abscess removal with packing and dressing. I reckon it was mostly healed within eight weeks. My scar is not really noticeable now but on my left hip on the rear so I never see it. Hope you heal well!

#oranga 8 weeks wouldn’t be too bad!
Glad it went well for you!

When I had mine changed, I was given my own pack to take to each appointment which included scissors, tape, packing and other bits and pieces. It saved them having to open a fresh pack each time. I’ve had 2 abscesses, both in the bikini area, probably ingrown hair, about 8 years apart and when I think there is one appearing I get antibiotics quick, this has only happened once and it worked. I also had blood test to check if I didn’t have diabetes, which I don’t have.

@Soresoresore

#oranga 8 weeks wouldn’t be too bad! Glad it went well for you!

I also had blood test to rule out diabetes but was a freak event probably an ingrown hair. It was a massive wound and freaked my husband at the time out. Luckily I was unable to see it clearly and I didn't want too! Also was given dressing packs to take with me to appointments. While it was all a bit grim the first few weeks were the hardest and then after that it was okay. Hopefully you have a similar easy healing experience ❤️

I’m reading a lot about diabetes on this thread. I need to Google the link between abscesses and diabetes I think 🤔

oranga
Thank you!

Ooh… The abscess and diabetes search is not easy to look at!
I was told that mine started as a cyst which became infected and lead to abscess…
I think that’s why it had to be removed so urgently?

You can tell I’ve thought of little else over the last month or so! It’s been a strange few weeks!

I'm not diabetic but I have hidradenitis supprativa which causes them, and also neutropenic so slow to heal them
Perfect combination(!)

MrOllivander

I’ve just googled that and it looks very painful 🙁

I had a pilonidal abscess removed 2.5 weeks ago, like yours it was about 2 inches deep. I’m curious to know how yours is healing now as you are a couple of weeks on from me. The daily dressing changes are driving me nuts already and I’ve just had to book appointments for the next 3 weeks 😩

I had mine packed and dressed 3 x a week for 3 months. That was 12 months ago, the scar is still red and ugly and I suspect that there is still a pocket of infection trapped in there somewhere because I can feel a small lump and it’s still very sore. GP isn’t interested, and told me to come back if it gets worse ☹️

That doesn’t seem very helpful. If there is surely you will possibly end up back at square one. Perhaps the lump is scar tissue and will settle though

Mine took five surgeries and a skin graft over a period of a couple of years but was told that was rather unusual. Best of luck in your recovery.

For me it was about four months for an abscess about the same size/depth as yours. Daily packing and dressing initially then every other day after six weeks. Took flipping ages to close and just as it was closing it go another one just below my not quite healed wound. You have my sympathy...it's horrible and I would wish it on anyone.

😱😱oh my days that sounds horrendous and really bad luck. Think I’d have a breakdown if that happened to me. Hope you are all healed now