Antibiotic cream - is it normally prescribed?

I had a surgical removal on my back on Tuesday and my gp said to keep the dressing on and not to get it wet for 4 days. She said after that I could get it briefly damp and I had to change the dressing which I did today. I had a bath but still kept it dry. No cream given. Stitches out on Friday. That was the advice I was given x

HI sarahartist and thanks for replying. Can I ask how you removed the dressing? I’ve been told to soak it off in the shower today, which is two days after it was applied.

Morning BikePiglet

Over the last four years I've had a few lesions removed and never been prescribed or told to apply antiseptic cream. Sometimes I've been told to take the dressing off after so many days and other times to leave it to fall off. The best thing to do is to follow the instructions you were given.

x

My understanding is that antibiotics should only be used if absolutely necessary and not as a preventative. My stitches got infected - signs were that my wound got more painful after a few days and my face felt swollen. I thought that was normal - after all, you’d expect it to hurt after you’ve had your face sliced open - but apparently it was a sign of infection. I was prescribed a course of antibiotics when I returned to have my stitches out. Can’t advise with the dressing, unfortunately, as I was told to keep mine on and only have it changed by the nurse.

Many thanks latchbrook. I’ll try to soak it off today then. I’m just a bit nervous about it, but fingers crossed!

Thanks Julesonabike (another cyclist? ) I’m sorry to hear that your stitches became infected - they did say to watch out for a change in pain/swelling/itchiness etc. Hopefully all will be well.

It’s 3 months later now. I have a 2.5 cm linear scar on my cheek that is easily disguised with a bit of concealer. I am amazed how well it has healed as it looked pretty gross for most of the summer - thank goodness for lockdown and not seeing many people! Hopefully yours will be as good cosmetically. 

Thanks Julesonabike :) I think the surgeon tried really hard to do as well as possible, so as long as I can avoid infection I feel pretty sure it will be fine cosmetically.

How did you get on? Being that mine had been on 4 days I just peeled it off. I am trying to avoid getting it wet if I can help it still. 

Hi there and thanks for asking. All went okay. I soaked it in the shower until it came off with a bit of persuasion. Scar bigger than I expected but I’m sure it’ll fade in time.

Impressive that you just peeled yours off. Brave! How is it feeling?

As for getting it wet, I asked in Ask a Nurse bout this and Audrey provided a very helpful reply, which I think you would also be able to see. Unfortunately I’ve not been able to reply to thank her - no idea why - but it’s very helpful about how to proceed after removing the dressing.