Is this infected or normal?

[bucketofrainbows]

this is my first operation so I don’t really know if this is normal or not!

I had an operation 1 month ago which left me with a 8cm scar in the middle of my head (mostly covered by my hair). I was given antibiotics afterwards on a preventative basis and it healed really well. I was told that after 2 weeks the wound will be healed and the risk of infection gone- but it’s 4 weeks now and I think it might infected at the end! It was dissolving sutures and the end suture was always sticking out which I was told was normal and it would heal. But the end of the scar just hasn’t seemed to heal and now it’s red, hot and when I gently press it pus (I think) comes out. It’s absolutely disgusting- it looks like a mix of blood and cream and it just comes out with just a little bit of pressure. Sometimes water comes out too. Is this normal after all this time? It’s hot to feel it and it hurts a lot to touch the area but it’s not excruciating and the redness isn’t terrible, is this kind of thing a normal experience after an operation? It’s my first experience so I don’t know if I’m expecting too much and this is all normal or not! I went to the pharmacy who said they can’t do anything and to go to the DR which I’ll do tomorrow, just asking here in the meantime.

Yes it sounds infected

Red, hot, leaking, all indicates infection, sorry. Definitely need a dr.

Managed to get a photograph of the area- its not showing up well in the photograph but the white/clear vertical line in the centre of the dark red blood spot is actually the end of the stitches sticking out and that’s where the scar ends. There’s a bit of yellow/greenish crusting to the side too. The rest of the scar healed beautifully and isn’t red anymore.

I'd get that looked at, looks shiny, is it a little wet / weepy ?

Yeah it’s quite wet, it’s a watery fluid coming out of it (unless I touch it, then the pus comes out)

It’s disgusting and it’s so frustrating this has happened because it healed so well apart from this!

It looks like it may have got infected. You need to keep an eye on the redness, if it starts to radiate outwards even more, or you have any flu like symptoms, you need to be seen immediately as it could be cellulitis.

Do you have a post-op check up rdv scheduled with the surgeon?

My DS had an operation on his wrist and one of the stitches was left a little bit in - it looked exactly like that, most of the wound healed beautifully but one end became infected. He had a rdv scheduled with the surgeon, who whisked out the offending stitch and it cleared up very quickly with just a clean dressing for a couple of days.

I'm in France though, semi-private healthcare, can't remember if it's the same in the UK.

I’ve got an appointment in 2 weeks (6 week review I believe) but nothing with the surgeon until then 😭 just worried with it being infected with how close it is to my face and head. I’ve had the cold for the last few days I wonder if that’s maybe how it got infected if my immune system was low. So frustrating

How red would it be if it became cellulitis? I know that’s an impossible question to answer sorry, I just meant if it were cellulitis would the redness be across my entire head or not that bad?

Hi to me it just looks as the stitch has not dissolved which sometimes happens. Once that’s taken out it should heal up. I’ve had similar in the past.

Likely infected. Definitely GP tomorrow at the very least - you need to be seen tomorrow

However, post-op you should have a follow up appointment with the surgeon or a doctor on his team. You should call his secretary and failing that, the surgical ward you were on. It’s really that medical team who should be dealing with it.

I reckon you need some flucloxicilin, try and get a review with a practice nurse tomorrow.

@bucketofrainbows it's not really how red it is, just if it gets bigger or you start to feel unwell. Either way definitely get it looked as asap tomorrow and tonight if you feel poorly.

Yes infected. See your gp or nurses surgery tomorrow.