Good wound care at home is one of the simplest ways to avoid infection and help a surgical incision heal cleanly. A short daily routine is usually all it takes.
A simple daily checklist
- Wash your hands before touching the dressing or the area around it.
- Keep the wound dry until your surgeon confirms it’s safe to shower normally.
- Change the dressing exactly as often as instructed — not more, not less.
- Check daily for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge.
- Avoid tight clothing that rubs against the incision.
When to call your surgical team
Contact your care team promptly if you notice spreading redness, a fever, foul-smelling discharge, or if the wound edges start to separate. These can be early signs of infection, and they’re far easier to treat when addressed quickly rather than waiting for the next scheduled follow-up.
