The First Week
Looking after your wound in the first days: dressings, washing, pain relief and what to do if it bleeds.
The First Week
Looking after your wound in the first days: dressings, washing, pain relief and what to do if it bleeds.
Your full aftercare guide
Everything on this page, plus wound care, pain relief, bleeding first aid and the ring-us list, is in the skin surgery aftercare guide. You can also download it as a leaflet there.
Open the skin surgery aftercare guideChecklist
- First 48 hours: keep any dressing in place and dry, unless your surgeon said you can shower straight away and apply ointment (some scalp and brow wounds are left without a dressing)
- Take it easy: bending down and hot drinks can restart bleeding from face wounds, so extra pillows help; put your leg up for leg wounds; skip alcohol on day one
- Once the wound can be left open, wash it gently once a day, pat dry, and apply a thin smear of the ointment you were given; cover with a simple dressing if you prefer
- Two paracetamol 500mg every four to six hours is usually plenty, up to eight tablets in 24 hours; check nothing else you take also contains paracetamol
- Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen in the first day or two unless you take them regularly for another reason
What to Expect
- A little blood or clear fluid on the dressing in the first day or two is normal, as are bruising and swelling (especially on the face), and tightness, itching or numbness around the wound
- Most people are back to office work the next day; if your job is heavy, dirty or wet, have a word with us first
- A little bleeding in the first few hours is common: press firmly and steadily over the wound for a full 30 minutes without lifting to look. It nearly always settles; if not, ring us
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I ring you?
Redness spreading from the wound or the skin feeling hot; yellow or green discharge, a bad smell, or the wound edges coming apart; pain getting worse rather than better after the third day; a temperature above 38°C or a reaction to a medicine we gave you; bleeding that has not settled after two rounds of 30 minutes of firm pressure. Ring us in office hours, the out-of-hours number in the evening or at the weekend, or NHS 24 on 111 if you cannot reach us.
Can I shower?
If you have a dressing, keep it dry for about 48 hours. Some wounds are left without a dressing and you may be told you can shower straight away. Your surgeon will tell you which applies to you.
Next Steps
- Follow the dressing advice you were given for the first 48 hours
- Wash gently once a day and apply your ointment once the wound can be left open
- Keep the stitch-removal appointment we have arranged
- Ring us if any of the warning signs appear
Need Help?
For the first days after your surgery or procedure, for advice only. Day surgery, closed overnight.
Continue to the next stage:
Stitches Out