ICE PACK
- Apply an ice pack or a packet of frozen peas over the top of your dressing or to any areas where swelling / bruising is beginning to occur for 10 – 20 minutes each hour till bedtime, and for 20 minutes upon awakening. If application of the ice pack causes discomfort to an area, please remove it and reapply the following hour.
- Always protect your skin by wrapping the ice pack / frozen peas in a washer or cloth.
DO NOT TAKE ANY FORM OF ASPRIN
MEDICATION
Do not take any form of aspirin eg. Aspro Clear, Disprin, Nurofen or medication that may increase the chance of bleeding. Paracetamol derivatives may be taken, eg. Panadol, Panamax or Panadeine.SLEEPING
Sleep with an extra pillow so that your head is slightly above your waist level to help reduce swelling.
BENDING
If it becomes necessary to stoop, bend from your knees only. Do not lower your head. This must be maintained for the first 48 hours to reduce the chances of bleeding from the wound.BLEEDING
Occasionally excessive bleeding may occur at home during the night; this is nothing to be alarmed at. Lie flat and apply firm pressure, with the ice pack, to the bleeding site for 15 – 20 minutes. If bleeding does not lessen or cease, ring your Dermatologist or go to the nearest medical centre. Please do not remove your dressing.
QUERIES
If you have any concerns, please ring the Skin & Cancer Foundation on Monday through to Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm on (02) 88 333 000. If it is the weekend, or you cannot return to the clinic and you think there is a problem with your wound, such as an infection, please do the following:
Go to the GP.
- If started on antibiotics, ask to have a wound swab with a copy of the results sent to the Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia.
- Please ring and inform us of your visit to the GP so we can document this in your file.
- Signs of Infection are redness, tenderness, hot to touch and pus.