I developed blisters after applying hot compress. How do I treat it?

Question

I had a face lift 2 weeks ago. I used too hot a compress in my face. Now I have blisters.

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear Willwork62Thank you for your question!  Applying hot or cold packs after surgery should be directed by your surgeon.  Please call your surgeon to follow up ASAP.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Mark Been, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your injury. Because you are so early in your recovery from surgery, you need to go see your surgeon for further evaluation and instruction. Most likely you will have a full recovery with conservative therapies, but it should be followed closely. Keep in mind that after facelift surgery, one typically has some numbness, so hot or cold can more easily injure the skin. Good luck!

Miguel Mascaro, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear this happened to you! I strongly advise you go see your surgeon.  Depending on the depth of injury the treatment may vary.  Until evaluation you can cover any area that is blistering with vaseline or any petrolatum product.  Best of luck.  I hope you get better!

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

Hi Willwork62,That sounds terrible! I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through that problem. I strongly advise you to get in to see your surgeon asap for a full evaluation of the area.Good luck!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I would recommend seeing the plastic surgeon who performed your facelift 2 weeks ago so that the blisters you have from a hot compress can be evaluated.  The treatment may be different, depending on the depth of the burn.  At this point, you could apply aquaphor ointment on any blisters that have popped, until you can be evaluated in person.

Cory S. Goldberg, BSc, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

Do not apply heat to any area following plastic surgery unless directly instructed by your surgeon. What you're describing sounds like a burn. Hopefully it was minor and healed uneventfully.

Romy Ahluwalia, MD · Answer

You may have created a burn. Most likely this will be a superficial burn that will heal in time without scarring. That being said be sure to check in with your surgeon to ensure there’s nothing deeper

Kyle T. Yamamoto, MD · Answer

Skin changes after a facelift (blisters, sores, ulcers, rashes, spots) should be looked at immediately by your surgeon.  This area is healing after surgery and any significant changes to the skin can compromise the healing process and your result.  Your surgeon can help you get on a treatment protocol to minimize any issues and help resolve your blisters.This highlights an important issue:-After a facelift, your skin near the area of the surgery typically has some numbness or reduced sensation.  This is very common and will resolve over the next few weeks.  However, numbness in the area limits your ability to feel a compress that is too hot or ice that is too cold.  Using a hair dryer or shaving in that area can also be risky for the same reason.-Do not apply any treatments to your skin (including hot or cold compresses, ointments, creams, etc.) unless directed by your surgeon.  After the healing period is over, and you have been cleared by your surgeon, you can go back to your normal routine.Best of luck during your healing process.

R. Scott Yarish, MD · Answer

See your surgeon immediately and before you treat it with anything.  The area that is burned most likely has very little or no sensation and you've burned it with heat.  You don't now want to freeze it with ice.  I would consider this an absolute emergency requiring immediate attention by your surgeon.

Ernest Robinson, MD · Answer

After surgery you will experience expected numbness in the surgical areas making it difficult to sense either hot or cold.  Skin changes may be related to the surgery or the compress.  In either case I would contact my surgeon immediately.  If the blisters are superficial they may open and drain.  In this case, I recommend gentle cleaning with a Q tip with water or peroxide and follow with Aquaphor of similar ointment once daily. You can cover with a gauze when out in public.  Superficial wounds will heal more rapidly.  Deeper wounds may require additional and more frequent wound care.  Again, consult your surgeon.

I developed blisters after applying hot compress. How do I treat it?

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