What can you do when your HS lesion has already drained but is still swollen, painful, and weeping?
When you're dealing with a drained HS lesion that's still swollen and weeping, there are several steps you can take to manage the discomfort and promote healing.
For pain and swelling relief:
- Apply warm compresses or Show Full Answer
What can you do when your HS lesion has already drained but is still swollen, painful, and weeping?
When you're dealing with a drained HS lesion that's still swollen and weeping, there are several steps you can take to manage the discomfort and promote healing.
For pain and swelling relief:
- Apply warm compresses or microwavable hot packs to help reduce swelling and relieve pressure around the lesion
- Take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen at the recommended doses
- Keep the area as uncovered as possible when you're at home to allow it to breathe
For managing the weeping discharge:
- Keep the wound bandaged with absorbent dressings when you need to be out or active
- Apply pressure with bandages to help absorb drainage and prevent the wound from re-expanding
- Change dressings regularly to prevent skin irritation from the discharge
- Use absorbent bandages to avoid developing a rash on top of the existing wound Keep the area clean:
- Wash gently with warm water and mild soap daily
- Be very gentle when cleaning to avoid creating more inflammation
- Reapply any antibiotic creams your doctor has recommended
When to seek medical attention:
If the lesion becomes increasingly painful, swollen, or inflamed even after draining, or if you develop a fever, contact your doctor. These could be signs of infection that may need antibiotics or other medical treatment.
A myHSteam member shared: "Cleaning the area regularly and reapplying antibiotic creams or whatever is advised by your doctor helps a lot."
April 23
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