Post-Operative Cellulitis

Some redness and tenderness can occur during normal healing, but cellulitis tends to expand, feel warmer, and become more painful rather than steadily settling. The wound may leak fluid, and nearby skin can look shiny or swollen. Risk can be higher with diabetes, reduced circulation, a weakened immune system, or a skin break such as Athlete's Foot.

Contact the surgeon or an urgent medical service as soon as infection is suspected. Keep the wound covered as instructed, wash your hands before touching it, and do not squeeze, massage, or apply leftover antibiotics. A clinician may examine the wound, mark the edge of redness, check vital signs, and prescribe antibiotics or arrange drainage when needed.

Go urgently for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, red streaks, confusion, faintness, breathing difficulty, or a high fever. Emergency assessment is especially important if you feel suddenly very unwell, because severe infection can progress to Sepsis. Do not delay because the incision looks small.

Ask whether the wound appearance fits Cellulitis, how to take the prescribed medicine, and which changes require reassessment. Mention diabetes, allergies, prior resistant infections, drainage, and any recent skin infection. Confirm how to clean, cover, and monitor the wound at home.