Sitz bath or No Sitz bath??

[Nazyr]

I have had my third abscess ( this time it was ischiorectal) incised and drained a week ago. I have been having ditz baths 3 times a day. As the incision is quite big and deep, I got visit from district nurse to dress it.

The Nurse has davised me to against sitz bath and not to change my dressing until I see her day after tomorrow. And secondly, surgeon advised not to pack the wound ( until now my wife has been changing the dressing) , but nurse today pcked it ( was painful) and said it wont heal without being packed.

I do not know which advice to follow. Previous abscesses I had were incised internally. This one had to be incised externally. Any help is welcome.

 

[Kat123]

Hi Nazyr,

When I had my seton placed, there was a smallish wound which I had packed by practice nurse daily for about two weeks. I didn't take any sitz baths, just removed the dressing in shower and washed area in shower before going to see nurse for redressing.

I can see why the nurse would want to pack the wound, so it can heal from inside out. But, maybe the surgeon has a reason to say no packing. I'd suggest you contact the surgeon and/or the surgical unit where you had it done to seek clarification.

If you do continue to get it packed, I'd recommend taking painkillers 30 mins before the nurse arrives