Infected?

JaimeSTL · 03-17-2008, 01:58 PM

My port incision is looking very weird. I had a big scab on the end of it, which got all funky in the shower this morning. Part of it pulled up and shriveled up, the other part is still stuck. Under the part that pulled up, it is white under there. It has been draining a yellowish/blood tinged discharge. Does this look infected to you? I'm waiting for a call back from my doctor's office.

**Kat817** · 03-17-2008, 02:02 PM

Well....it doesn't look like mine did....I can't say whether it is infected or not---is it hot to the touch? Itch?
I had stitches in my hand once that did something similar, and while it wasn't infected---my skin tried to grow over the scab, and become infected in that manner---it looked a bit like your picture....they scrubbed it ---at the Dr.'s office. I would call him!

That is what they are there for when we have issues!

Let us know!
Kat

JaimeSTL · 03-17-2008, 02:06 PM

I called earlier this morning and they said they would get back to me. So far, I haven't gotten a call back. It isn't itchy right on that spot, but itchy all around the rest of my stomach, and has been since about 5 days post-op. Maybe a little warm to the touch. I put a big bandage over it for right now and I'm trying not to mess with it so I can't tell.

travelgirl · 03-17-2008, 02:07 PM

Hard to tell from the picture, but it doesn't look red to me, is it warm to the touch? The oozing could be fluid from a seroma, which isn't dangerous, but your doctor will know best. Get it checked out by your regular doc even if your surgeon doesn't think he/she needs to see it.

Infection is too dangerous to be overlooked. Keep us posted!

**Kat817** · 03-17-2008, 02:10 PM

yeah, sorry, I re-read your post that you had a call in. I am in agreement if you do not hear from your surgeon, make an appointment to see your PCP, or drop by an Urgent Care Center, let someone look at it, infection has to be caught early.

Sorry this is stressing you---it would me too!

Kat

JaimeSTL · 03-17-2008, 02:19 PM

Well, I just called the office again and they took my pharmacy number and said he'll probably call something in for me at the end of the day. Apparently he doesn't address phone calls until he has seen all of his patients. I guess it's better safe than sorry to go ahead and get on antibiotics.

HELEN0001 · 03-19-2008, 12:10 AM

I had bad luck and caught an infection where the port was. It kinda looked like your pic but was red and angry looking, which yours isn't. It hurt to touch and eventually even to breath.

I eventually had to be rushed in to surgery and have it removed so to be on the safe side please keep harassing your doctor. it's not a laughing matter.

Good luck........

JaimeSTL · 03-19-2008, 12:13 AM

I'm going in first thing tomorrow morning. They called me back after finally talking the dr and he wanted to see me just in case. It is more red today, but not draining anymore. I think I might have a seroma, as there is a big lump under the incision.

JaimeSTL · 03-19-2008, 06:05 PM

I saw my doctor today. He said the incision is not infected. I'm so relieved. He did say that it looks like I had a slight reaction to either the internal stitches or the dermabond on the outside. Either way, it isn't too bad and should go away soon.

He went ahead and scheduled me for a fill on Monday! I'm so glad because I've been so hungry this week.