When to change a dressing?

[roisin]

ds2 had a 2nd minor op (of 3) on Monday (simple incision to remove a birthmark). The scar is about 5" long.

Last time they put in dissolving stitches and steri-strips. They didn't say anything this time about removing stitches, so I'm presuming they've done the same again. Is that a reasonable assumption?

Last time a nurse on the ward told us to change the dressing after 24-48 hrs. (This was quite uncomfortable for ds2.) This time no-one said anything about changing dressings.

The dressing is a splash-proof one, and is stuck on extremely securely, and it will be a very difficult job to get it off.

So is there any reason why I should tackle this in the next 12 hrs or so, or can I leave it a couple more days and see if it becomes more loose?

Did they give you the new dressings to change it with?

Tis a bit odd that they haven't said anything, obviously it will have to come off at some point. Perhaps best to ring and confirm?

I would probably leave it for up to two days before changing the first one though, to give the skin time to start scarring properly before it gets exposed to the world. It will still be pretty firmly stuck on when you try and get it off though!

We got a stack of new dressings last time, so dh didn't get any more.
He didn't really ask them any advice about dressings

If he's being co-operative, I think I may see if the main dressing will come off today with a bit of encouragement: it's been 3 days.

If anyone disagrees with that proposal, please shout loudly quickly!

Sounds sensible to me.The quicker the air gets to it,the quicker it will heal IMO.

I always take a dressing off asap,and suggest it gets covered for "dirty jobs" etc.

The Steristrips will dry up and curl once the dressing is removed.

If the stitches werent dissolvable they would usually be bright blue(nylon) or Black (silk/cotton).

You can also gauge how well it is healing if you take it off,and can observe for signs of infection.

Go for it.

I made the mistake of not changing a dressing soon enough for my dd because she screamed when I tried. It went maky and infected and smelly and I felt dreadful about it - had to take her for antibiotics - bad mother

OK - Phew! I've taken the dressing off and it wasn't too traumatic. (He was engrossed in The Simpsons!)

Thanks all for your comments.

He's got three full strips of steristrips c.5" long and they look very firmly stuck on. So hopefully they will work themselves off soon.

Sawyer64 - I'm surprised at the suggestion to not replace the dressing at all, though I can see it will help the steristrips dry off.

But the scar is on his lower back/top of buttocks, so I think at this stage it needs to be kept clean/covered ...?

Yes perhaps so,as it is in this area,and he's a child.

Thats what i meant about "Dirty " jobs.If the area is likely to become contaminated then its better to cover it.

Well, I suggested to him leaving the dressing off for a bit, and he completely freaked and became almost hysterical; so I've slapped another one on. (The ones I have are much lighter, not splash-proof, and come off quite easily.)