Drain Hole Infected or Healing? (photo)

Question

Got my drains out on the 19th ..11 days ago..does my hole look like its healing or infected? Its white.. nothing really coming out..a little pinkness on bandaid.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

From photos it does not appear infected.  If it has been over 1 week and it still is open, you may have your PS consider excising and closing the area.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

Drains provide the benefit of draining fluid but can cause significant skin irritation and sometimes infection. Keep the area clean and dressed with antibiotic ointment and a dressing. Consult with your surgeon to see whether additional treatment is indicated.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Best practice would be to show this to your surgeon. I am assuming this is where the drain was. It does not look red or inflamed.Typically a drain site would be closed within 2-4 days. Chances are this will heal uneventfully, but let your surgeon advise you.

	All the best.

Tracy Kayan, MD · Answer

Hi. From your photos, it is a little hard to tell, but if there is a lot of redness around the site of the drain spreading onto your abdomen and it is tender, it is more likely to be an infection. You should see your surgeon soon to determine if you need any antibiotics. Alternatively, sometimes if the drain is in for some time, your body tries to grow around it or "reject" it, and some people are simply very sensitive to foreign bodies in their skin such as the drain, and have a lot of inflammation - only a direct clinical exam can differentiate between inflammation and infection. Best of luck with the rest of your healing!

Drain Hole Infected or Healing? (photo)

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