Cellulitis and after effects.?!
Question: I had a question about when cellulitis treatment is completed. I'm approaching day 10, and I was wondering after taking the full course of antibiotics how I should take care of the wound. Should I wash daily with soap to prevent recurring infections, can I put lotion on the site where its healed? Anyone who has had this condition- how did you treat your healed wound after the full course of antibiotic treatment?
Answers: I had a question about when cellulitis treatment is completed. I'm approaching day 10, and I was wondering after taking the full course of antibiotics how I should take care of the wound. Should I wash daily with soap to prevent recurring infections, can I put lotion on the site where its healed? Anyone who has had this condition- how did you treat your healed wound after the full course of antibiotic treatment?
You can certainly wash the wound out with plain soap and water, but you should not put lotion on the area until it is completely healed over. If there is still an open surface (like if it still has granulation tissue that is red in color, or if it is pink and not yet scarred over), you should at least cover the area with a sterile bandage or gauze pad after you wash it, depending on the location. If it's completely healed over, it is OK to put lotion on the area. (I still do, even a year later, because it all started for me with dry, cracked skin.)
You should have a follow up appt. with your doctor, to get a clearance from him/her. You need to call and ask the nurse about aftercare. It's a free call!
take your meds exactly as prescribed and follow up with your doctor.