Does my EMCS scar look infected? **PICTURE WARNING!**

[MYA2016]

I had an emcs a week ago and felt fine till today. Now the very edge of the scar has gone really itchy and a bit red and puffy. The rest if the scar looks fine. I don't want to rush off to the docs If they say it's just healing?! Any advise? Its the only part of the scar which still has a stitch showing? Thanks

[ZadokTheBeastie]

Looks a bit icky. Get someone to draw round the extent of the redness and see if it spreads. See GP tomorrow a.m. if any worse.

[itsbegginingtolook]

I think that looks like the start of an infection I could be wrong though. Always worth going to gp and getting it checked

[Coldest]

The weeping liquid would worry me. Also swelling and redness are signs of inflammation. I would get it checked out. Best of luck and congratulations on the baby :)

[megletthesecond]

Yes, a bit. I'd try and get an appointment to get it checked tomorrow. Best to get it healing over the weekend.

[GrouchyKiwi]

Definitely get it checked. Not something you want to take a risk with.

Hope all is well, and congratulations on your new baby.

[Wardrobespierre]

It looks like that last bit is just struggling to heal. It does happen. You might find it leaks a little clear fluid too.

In the absence of any illness, fever or spreading redness, pus, tenderness etc, I'd take a wait and see approach. The top layer of skin heals last. You heal from the inside out.

Keep it clean, water only and pat dry. Try and keep it dry, clothes free is good too.

If in doubt, get it checked. Are you still under midwife care? They can check for you.

[WoodleyPixie]

When is your midwife due to visit? Have you still
Got stitches in? The midwife can take a swab and get antibiotic prescription for you but if you aren't seeing her tomorrow then make an appointment or go up to day assessment unit at the maternity hospital.

[Jellybean100]

Yes, go to ur GP they will give u some antibiotics

[Doublebubblebubble]

Yup get that checked please x

[MazzleDazzle]

Def get it checked. A small part of my scar did the same and took a lot longer to heal.

[CadenceRoastingByAnOpenFire]

I had an infection and mine looked like that. Definitely get it checked.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I'd get it checked - is that a stitch coming out? If so that needs to be removed so things can heal properly.

[hootatoot]

Mine was like that too with the stitch that worked its way out. It developed into an infection and I had antibiotics for it. As for the wound, I just bathed it in salt water and made sure it got air every day and it cleared up within a week. Get to the GP and let them have a look. Hope it sorts itself out quickly!

[MYA2016]

Yeah they have used dissolvable stitches but this is the only bit that's hanging out! I'm not due to see my midwife until Sunday afternoon so I will book in with my doctor tomorrow morning as I don't want it getting out of hand. The rest is healing perfectly, thought it was too good to be true! Thanks very much ladies :-)

[MYA2016]

One more question... should antibiotics clear it up or would it usually need draining?

[nilbyname]

Won't need draining, just antibiotics.

[WoodleyPixie]

Antibiotics and keeping it clean and dry. Iknow you've just had a baby but any chance you can lay on your bed after your shower and let it air dry. Or if you are feeding baby, can you lay with your scar exposed and let the air dry it?

That was the advise given to me when I had antibiotics for a scar infection. cleared up pretty quickly once started the ab's and air drying. was actually quite a good excuse to go upstairs and just lay down for afive minutes.

[BillBrysonsBeard]

Mine did this! I just cleaned it with a wipe every night and let it air for a while each day and it closed up. Took 5 months before it was fully closed though!

[MYA2016]

5 months? !! Oh god. I can't even look at it it makes me feel sick. I'm not good with blood or anything related.
The doctor said it was infected but didn't want to give me antibiotics and said to go back if it gets worse. It isn't as sore or puffy now but is still red so I'll have to keep an eye on it
thanks to everyone who responded :)

[Elllicam]

It doesn't look badly infected so hopefully not too long, watch for the wound feeling hot as well as spreading redness. I had a c section incision infection which was similar and cleared within a week.

[A1Sharon]

That is a dissolvable stitch, so should go itself over time.
Shower as normal every day, don't scrub the wound ust let water wash over it. Pat dry with clean towel, let dry.
I do think someone should have a look at it today or tomorrow, is anyone coming to the house?
You could hold off on antibiotics for a day or so to see if it heals itself.

[BillBrysonsBeard]

Yeah 5 months but it didn't affect my life or hurt so it was fine Only thought about it when I gave it a wipe every night. There's no need for antibiotics unless it's infected, it's just the healing process taking its time because in my case O had an overhang. Hope yours heals quicker! x

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

That is a dissolvable stitch, so should go itself over time.

It may not, mine never did and always got infected if not removed.

[MYA2016]

I am now day 11 post section and suddenly had a big loss of fresh blood throughout the day with a lot of internal pain. Been to the labour ward at the hospital tonight who have done an internal and confirmed I have an internal infection so I'm now on a course of antibiotics. She's also said that they'll help clear up this external wound.
Its all good fun eh