What should you know about cellulitis after C-section?

The skin may become increasingly red, warm, swollen, tender, or painful, and the redness can extend beyond the incision. Wound drainage, opening edges, or feeling unwell can also matter. A small amount of expected tenderness does not explain a clear pattern of worsening redness or swelling. A clinician may examine the wound and surrounding skin, check your temperature and decide whether treatment is needed. Do not squeeze the area or apply unprescribed creams. Keep the incision care routine given by your maternity or surgical team.

Contact the surgeon, maternity unit, or another healthcare professional promptly if the wound is becoming more painful, hot, red, or swollen. Describe when the change began, whether it is spreading, any discharge, and whether you have a fever. Follow prescribed antibiotics exactly and finish the course unless the prescriber changes it. Keep hands clean before touching the wound, avoid tight clothing over it, and do not use leftover antibiotics. If you have diabetes or another condition affecting healing, mention it during the assessment.

Seek urgent medical help for rapidly spreading redness, severe or escalating pain, marked swelling, pus, wound separation, a high temperature, chills, faintness, confusion, fast breathing, or feeling suddenly very ill. These symptoms can signal a deeper infection or sepsis and should not wait for a routine postpartum review. If you are unsure whether a wound change is expected, call the surgical team the same day.

Ask whether the incision appears infected, whether a wound swab or other test is needed, which dressing and washing routine to use, and how soon the wound should be reviewed. Ask which symptoms mean you should return urgently and whether medicines are suitable while breastfeeding.