For those of you who have experienced abscesses or severe inflammation of body tissues, chances are that the pain that appears at that time you don't want to feel anymore, right? Unfortunately, many people often have an abscess coming back after a while for a variety of reasons. If you want to avoid these risks, make sure you follow all postoperative instructions given by your doctor, and treat the wound properly and maintain good hygiene. In addition, understand the symptoms of an abscess that recurs so that you can immediately see a doctor when you experience it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Following Postoperative Instructions Given by the Doctor
Step 1. Ask a close friend or relative to take you home after surgery
Remember, a smooth recovery process is the main key so that the abscess does not recur. Therefore, after scheduling a surgical procedure to drain the abscess which will generally be completed within one day, immediately ask the people closest to you to take you home after the operation.
- Most likely, you will be drowsy under the influence of the anesthetic or pain medication. That's why, there must be someone else to help you get home. Therefore, immediately after scheduling the surgery time and location, immediately find someone who can take you home after surgery.
- Ask them to help you redeem a prescription at the pharmacy so you can rest comfortably at home.
Step 2. Perform a follow-up examination to check the condition of the wound after 6 weeks
Schedule an appointment with a doctor to check the condition of your wound. Generally, the doctor will ask you to do a follow-up examination after 6 weeks. However, in some cases, doctors feel the need to do a checkup after only 2-3 weeks. If possible, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible before the schedule gets too busy.
- At a follow-up examination, the doctor will perform an examination to make sure there are no problems with your scar.
- The doctor will also perform an examination to make sure a fistula is not forming. Specifically, fistulas are small canals that run from the anus to an area of exposed skin near the anus, and are generally the result of an abscess that has formed in that area. Unfortunately, almost 50% of patients develop fistula after abscess surgery.
- Although it cannot be prevented, the true risk of fistula appearance can be reduced by following postoperative instructions correctly.
Step 3. Keep the area clean and make sure the bandage is always attached there
Clean the area at least twice a day with warm, soapy water, then put a large soft bandage or sterile gauze under your underwear to absorb any excess blood that hasn't dried completely. Doing so will also make your body feel more comfortable afterwards.
Change bandages or gauze that are soiled or filled with blood, at least twice a day, to keep the anal area clean
Step 4. Do not lift heavy objects or exercise for 1 week after surgery
Although you can move freely, don't let your body feel tired for a few days after surgery. This means don't lift anything that's too heavy (preferably avoid anything heavier than a backpack) and don't do any sports. However, make sure the body is still moved by walking regularly so that blood circulation remains smooth.
- Although it really depends on the type of profession you are in, you will most likely be able to return to work after 1-2 days. However, if your job involves too much physical activity, don't forget to consult your doctor first.
- Don't swim until your wound has completely healed.
- It is best not to cycle for 6-8 weeks postoperatively.
- If the body feels comfortable, please return to sexual intercourse with a partner.
Step 5. Consult the use of laxatives to facilitate the process of defecation to the doctor
Most likely, you will not be able to have a bowel movement immediately after surgery, which is perfectly normal. In particular, avoid the urge to push if you still feel like you can't have a bowel movement. If bowel movements are still not normal after 1-2 days, try to consult the possibility of taking a light laxative to your doctor.
- Follow the instructions regarding the dose of the drug given by your doctor or listed on the package.
- To make bowel movements easier, try placing a small stool under your feet. In addition to supporting your legs, the bench can help your hips and pelvis to push like when you're squatting.
- After a bowel movement, try doing a sitz bath or soaking the anal area in warm water to keep it clean and comfortable.
Method 2 of 3: Treat Wounds and Relieve Pain
Step 1. Take antibiotics according to the instructions given by the doctor
In many cases, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to be taken postoperatively, just in case there is an infection in the wound. Follow all medication instructions given by your doctor and take the prescribed antibiotics, even if you feel better before the medication wears off.
Step 2. Ask your doctor for pain medication recommendations, if needed
In fact, it is normal for you to feel pain in the anal area after surgery. If the pain that appears causes discomfort but is still tolerable, try asking your doctor for permission to take over-the-counter pain relievers. However, don't forget to take the medicine according to the recommendations on the back of the package.
If the pain is very severe, ask your doctor for a prescription pain reliever. Do not forget to follow the instructions for using the drug given by the doctor
Step 3. Do a sitz bath or soak the hip area down for 15-20 minutes to relieve any discomfort that appears
Basically, a sitz bath is a very therapeutic method of making the anal and genital areas feel more comfortable. To do this, you just need to sit in a bathtub filled with 7-10 cm of warm water. Or, you can also buy a special bucket for doing sitz baths that can be placed on top of the toilet seat. Then, add Epsom salt or sea salt to the water, and soak the lower body area in it for 15-20 minutes. After 15-20 minutes, dry the soaked area well.
- Use warm, not hot, water that feels good on the skin.
- If you want, you can apply a special cream to soothe the skin after bathing.
Step 4. Clean the anus every day so that your scars are always clean
Use warm, soapy water to clean the area, then pat lightly with a clean, soft towel to dry it. If you wish, you can also soak the anal area in a shallow bucket for 20 minutes, 3-5 times a day.
- Clean the anus with baby wipes after defecating to keep the area clean, and don't forget to dry the anal area properly after bathing or bathing.
- Clean the wound only with warm water and a mild soap. Don't use antiseptic solutions like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, which can slow down the healing process!
Step 5. Follow the doctor's instructions on how to bandage the wound
Most likely, the doctor has put gauze on the surface of the postoperative wound. If that's the case, don't forget to ask the right time to remove and replace the gauze, OK! If excess blood continues to flow or drip, try putting additional gauze over it.
- Change the bandage after the area is cleaned.
- If necessary, wear a bandage that is large enough under your underwear to absorb any excess blood.
Step 6. Compress the painful area several times a day with an ice cube
In particular, compress the injured and/or painful area for 20 minutes, and repeat the process several times a day. Instead, place a thin cloth between the ice cubes and the skin so that the skin tissue is not damaged by exposure to temperatures that are too cold.
Put ice cubes in the bag first or use packaged ice cubes. If you want, you can also use ready-made ice packs, which are generally made of cold gel
Step 7. Know when to call the doctor
With proper treatment, there shouldn't be any negative side effects to worry about while the recovery process takes place. However, keep in touch with your doctor if you find there are things to watch out for, OK! In particular, call your doctor immediately if you:
- Experiencing an increase in symptoms such as an increasingly red, swollen, or painful anus
- Having a fever
- Finding red streaks on the surgical scars
- Found a lot of blood seeping on the bandage
- Having stomach pain
- Having trouble farting
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing Symptoms and Taking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Understand the cause of the abscess
Basically, abscess is a common medical disorder and can affect anyone. In particular, abscesses commonly occur when the glands around the anus become blocked due to exposure to bacteria or feces. In addition, medical disorders such as cancer, Crohn's disease, and trauma can also increase the risk of developing an abscess or fistula.
Cycling regularly can also cause perianal abscesses or make abscesses recur
Step 2. Recognize common symptoms
Some of the common symptoms that accompany an abscess are redness, swelling, or pain around the anus. In addition, you may also experience a fever, chills, and feel unwell.
Understand that these symptoms are also common with other diseases
Step 3. Visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis
Make an appointment with your doctor to explain your symptoms and carry out any necessary tests. Most likely, the doctor can diagnose an abscess using a simple clinical examination. In some cases, doctors may find it necessary to use imaging/image technology such as ultrasound or CT scan procedures if they suspect a deep fistula.
So far, surgery is the only way to permanently remove an abscess or fistula. However, do not worry because the procedure is actually simple and very common to do
Tips
- Rest as much as possible while the recovery process takes place. Naturally, if you sleep longer and reduce activity significantly during the few days after surgery.
- Make sure the body stays hydrated by consuming at least eight glasses of water, each with a volume of 250 ml every day.
- Eat a low-fiber diet while the recovery process takes place. Or, you can eat your food as usual. However, if your stomach starts to feel sore or uncomfortable, try eating light, easy-to-digest foods such as soup, crackers, or toast.
- Contact your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the surgical procedure.
Warning
- Always follow the instructions given by your doctor regarding how to take medication and treat wounds.
- Call your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as pain, redness, swelling, or fever.
