Pus Coming out of Scar, Do I Need Antibiotics?

You need to see your surgeon and have an evaluation.  The drainage may be a stitch dissolving or an early skin infection.  Have a surgeon evaluation first.

If in doubt, always call your doctor. Often, patients will say that they have 'pus' coming out of their wounds-when it's only serum. FYI:

Serum is a clear yellowish fluid that is normal with all wound healing

Pus is a thick, yellow/green fluid - it is never clear!

Best wishes,

Dr. H

 

Thank you for the question.

Drainage from the incision may be a relatively benign process ( stitch access)  or a more serious issue ( infection possibly involving the breast implant).  Only evaluation by your plastic surgeon  will allow you to determine exact diagnosis and treatment options.

Best wishes.

If you have a real  infection, then you should see your surgeon as soon as possible.  If you have something superficial like a stitch abscess that is fairly minor and may only need to be treated with local wound care, but an exam is key.

While the drainage may have no long term consequences, I would recommend that you go and see your surgeon asap--today.  This may be a very simple problem that can be treated with antibiotics.  If you wait, however, it may require surgery and removal of your implant.  Good luck.

CALL AND GO SEE YOUR SURGEON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Infections aroung implants are a serious problem and may lead to the need to remove the implants while you heal and replace them later.  If the infection is small from a suture or just below the skin surface, treatment with antibiotics and meticulous wound care may salavage the implants.  But if left untreated the small infection may contaminate the implants prompting the need to remove and exchange them.