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Original poster

Infected c-section scar [not for the squeamish]

20 replies

lucy5 · 29/12/2006 15:37

I had an emergency csection about a month ago. Anyway I developed an infection which the Spanish health centre missed and told me it was normal. I was having to go in daily to have my scar squeezed of pus [sp]. I realised that this couldn't be right as I was having to change the dressing up to 6 times a day and it smelt really badly. So I went to see a private dr who couldnt believe what a state they had let me get into and prescribed antibiotics and daily squeezing. MMm nice!

Anyway the infection has now gone but i am left with an open wound, not huge probably the size of a 50 pence piece. My dr has said that he is not sure that it will ever heal naturally and that I might have to go in and have surgery to rectify it. At the moment I/we are giving it a chance to heal itself. It's a bit sore and when pushed a small amount of yellow liquid comes out.

Sorry I'm waffling, what I would like to know is, has anyone had anything similar and how long did it take to heal? Thanks.

OP posts:
lulumama · 29/12/2006 15:41

that is appaling lucy, how awful for you...must be painful ,no?

hopefully it will heal naturally,, and the open area will heal over, altough it imagine it will be wider than the other areas of the scar.......

is the amount of pus diminishing....?

not had similar, had a tiny infection in my scar, but healed within days ....

you poor thing x

Donbean · 29/12/2006 15:42

Hm, sounds nasty.
Its actually a GOOD thing that it is open believe it or not.
There needs to be an escape for the puss you see.
This should heal from the inside out and with antibiotics and daily cleaning/squeezing it should heal well.
Try to eat a good high protien diet and just be vigilant with the wound and with how you yourself feel.
For instance, if the wound starts to exsude more puss or you start to feel unwell you may need a change in antibiotics.
Make sure that you thourouly wash your hands before and after touching the dressings or the area.

Donbean · 29/12/2006 15:43

sorry about spellings...in a rush!

Original poster
lucy5 · 29/12/2006 15:44

Thanks Lulu not having a good time here in Spain. The dr says the wound inside is bigger. The pus has diminished to a small amount but it seems to have hit a certain level and not got any less. God all I do is moan on here.

OP posts:
Original poster
lucy5 · 29/12/2006 15:45

Thanks, donbean that sounds promising, just feels a bit strange walking around with a hole. [hehehe]

OP posts:
lulumama · 29/12/2006 15:46

don;t worry..that is what we are all here for !

littlemadam · 29/12/2006 15:57

Lucy I had same, My scar was badly infected. I had five weeks of daily nurse visits to change dressings and it got worse! After that went to see a plastic surgeon who cut away all the dead black tissue and yucky stuff and I had a hole about 2 cm wide and 8 cm long and 1 cm deep, but just healthy tissue left. It took about eight weeks to heal properly. If it isn't healing would recommend you see a plastic surgeon, they know how these things work.

When I had next C Section, the consultant made it all nice and neat again (free tummy tuck!!)

Best of luck, its hard with a new baby too!!

Simplyred · 29/12/2006 16:00

Oh Lucy5 I'm really sorry to hear this.

I had mrsa in my c-section scar and a small section that took 3 months to sort out. As you say pus and smelly. It was over 18 months ago now - but was very terrify time. I am totally fine now! Rest as much as you can - it will soon start to dry out now the infection is gone and the healing can really begin.

I'd get pro-biotic youghats to help your tummy recover from the antibiotics.

Original poster
lucy5 · 29/12/2006 16:19

Thanks this is the sort of advice I have been lacking.

OP posts:
missymoosal · 29/12/2006 16:24

Hi Lucy 5
Bit concerned that the hole! inside is bigger. You potentially are at risk of developing subsequent infections as the cavity can become re-infected again.
Alot of 'cavity' wounds are often packed once the infection has gone to encourage the inside to heal upwards as it were.
Sorry to be graphic but do you have an 'overhang' of tummy? If you do the wound can become moist and not dry out, if you do I recommend the use of a hairdryer, fantastic for drying without irritating the skin.
Keep going with the antibiotics and if pus still present when they are finished go back for more and as Donbean said be so careful with hand hygiene.
Keep us informed.

NAB3 · 29/12/2006 16:41

It won't heal itself. You need to get it resutured ASAP. I had a section 5 years ago and it was a complete f* up. Won't bore you with all the saga but it came open 3 times and I ended up having it privately resutured. Insurance paid as it was an emergency section. Wouldn't have done if it had been elective.

Original poster
lucy5 · 30/12/2006 13:45

Thanks, my wound was being packed when I had alot of pus, now I am just cleaning it with iodine and peroxide as instructed by my dr. Looks like I should perhaps go and see a specialist.

OP posts:
Simplyred · 30/12/2006 19:24

I had my wound packed after the pus had really settled down. The nurse at the GP'S dressed it and it was left for 4-5 days at a time without being touched with an Iodine covering on top then normal dressings. It really itched but was alot better after. The open part of my wound was only the size of a 5p - it worries me that yours is larger.

I also had ongoing 'swabs' to check what the infection was and the level of infection still present. They decide how to treat a wound by knowing what is infecting it - do you know what infection you have /had?

Original poster
lucy5 · 30/12/2006 20:12

I don't know what infection I had, it was never tested. The dr seems to be working in reverse to your nurse which is a bit worrying!

OP posts:
gio71 · 30/12/2006 22:44

I had the same thing. First day literally poured pus out of wound (tmi sorry)-found it quite traumatic. Had to go to hospital daily for it to be squeezed and dressed for a week, then cleaned and dressed it myself for further 3 weeks. Was told the fact the wound was open was a good thing as would heal that way. Was dubious, especially as a few weeks later was still open with small amount of pus. Did heal-probably took about 8 weeks to close totally though. Good luck to you-its horrible isnt it. Made me feel vile and infection definitely slowed my recovery down am sure.

Original poster
lucy5 · 01/01/2007 19:11

Thanks, good to hear a non surgery outcome.

The pus now seems to have virtually dried up but there is still a horrible smell coming from it.

OP posts:
lulumama · 01/01/2007 19:13

hmm...smell not good....when you going back to the docs?
are you still on antibiotics?

Original poster
lucy5 · 01/01/2007 19:35

I finished the antibiotics a couple of weeks ago and haven't got a particular date to go back to the drs, he just said after xmas. My mum has been doing the squeezing, cleaning and dressing [bless her].

OP posts:
Original poster
lucy5 · 01/01/2007 19:54

I am alos getting the occasional shooting pain but I don't know if i'm just turning into a hypochondriac!

OP posts:
lulumama · 01/01/2007 19:57

eeeeeek! i;d go back pronto! might need more antibiotics!

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