It is not common that your wound gets infected after any type of surgery but sometimes it happens. So, it’s important to be aware of the different signs that your wound is getting infected. For that reason, in this article, I mention some of the most common signs that tell you that your wound might have an infection.  

If you are in the hospital or you were already discharged, but notice one or more of these signs please inform your doctor immediately.  Let’s check what you need to look for when you have a wound that is not healing properly!

  What is post-surgical wound infection?

Post-surgical infection or surgical site infection (SSI) is harm produced by microorganisms  (virus, fungi or bacteria)  after a surgical procedure. These microorganisms can enter the wound during or after the procedure.

Infections can affect the incision site or the surrounding tissues. They can also involve the skin, muscles, or deeper structures. 

What are the effects of having wound infection after aesthetic surgery?

Sequelae of infection after cosmetic surgery are:

• wound takes longer to heal
• dissatisfactory esthetic outcome
• impair psychosocial well-being
• delay hospital discharge if you still in hospital 
• overproduction of scar tissue
• lead to readmission and further surgery to fix the damage 

What causes post-surgical infection? 

Several factors can contribute to the development of post-surgical wound infections, including:

1. Contamination during surgery: Despite sterile conditions in the operating theater, there is always a risk of bacteria entering the surgical site.
2. Poor preoperative skin preparation or inadequate post-op after care: Inadequate cleaning or disinfection of the skin before or after surgery can increase the risk of infection.
3. Compromised immune system: Patients with weakened immune systems, due to conditions such as diabetes, chronic conditions or immunosuppressive medications, are more susceptible to infections.
4. Prolonged surgical time: Longer surgical procedures may increase the risk of infection as it exposes the patient to the operating theater environment for a more extended period.
5. Poor wound care: inadequate postoperative wound care, such us improper dressing changes or not keeping the wound dry and clean, can cause infections. 
6. Poor wound healing. 
7. Foreign materials used during the surgery can introduce bacteria into the body and increase the risk of wound  infection. 
8. Pre-existing infections: if you have an infection elsewhere in the body, there is a risk that could spread to the surgical site. 
9. Contaminated environment: Operation theaters that aren’t properly sterilized can harbor bacteria that may cause wound infection.
10. Inadequate Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Sometimes, antibiotics given before surgery to prevent infections may be inappropriate or not administered according to guidelines, which can lead to ineffective protection against infection.
11. Poor Health Practices: Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, or obesity can compromise your  ability to fight off infections post-surgery.

What are the red flags of  wound infection?

If you have an infected wound, you may notice one or some of the following symptoms:

1. Red or sore skin around the wound
2. Burning sensation and hot feeling when you touch the skin
3. Swelling
4. Redness 
5. Warmth
6. Increased pain or tenderness around the wound. 
7. Pus: liquid build-up that comes out of the wound. It might be yellow or green. 
8. Wound bad smell
9. Fever or chills
10. Unwell feeling
11. increased heart rate 
12. Increased swelling or tenderness in nearby lymph nodes.
13. Delayed healing: If the wound does not show signs of improvement or healing within the expected timeframe, infection could be a contributing factor.
14. Change in wound appearance: Any significant change in the appearance of the wound, such as opening up, deepening, or becoming more necrotic, might indicate infection.
15. Systemic symptoms: General symptoms like fatigue, malaise, or loss of appetite can sometimes accompany wound infections, particularly if they are severe or spreading.

How can I prevent surgical site infection (SSI)? 

Some of the tasks given by your surgeon to do before attending the hospital for surgery are:

1. Shower with water and soap the area.
2. Use antibacterial solution on the area.
3. check if you have any antibiotic resistant bacteria (performed in a blood test).
4. stop smoking 4 weeks prior surgery. 

How can I avoid post-op infection?

• keep your hands clean and avoid touching the area if it is not necessary.
• keep your clothes clean.
• Wash your wound as your surgeon recommended (e.g. use antibacterial soap or solution on the area).
• follow all your surgeon´s instructions.
• Keep the wound dry and clean
• Take antibiotics as prescribed
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Monitor for signs of infection
• Attend follow-up appointments

A final word…

It’s key to work as a team with your surgeon and your post-op therapist in order to minimize the risk of post-surgical infections; also to monitor for signs and symptoms to avoid infection or ensure  early detection and appropriate management, if it does occur. Taking care of your wound is in your hands!

I hope this information is useful. If you need advice or have any questions about my treatments, please contact me. You can find me in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. I´m always happy to help!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6554174/

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/surgical-wounds-and-preventing-infections#:~:text=Signs%20of%20a%20wound%20infection,-You%20may%20have&text=The%20skin%20around%20your%20wound,have%20a%20temperature%20(fever).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209710/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196271

https://www.who.int/health-topics/infection-prevention-and-control

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/surgical-wounds-and-preventing-infections#:~:text=Signs%20of%20a%20wound%20infection,-You%20may%20have&text=The%20skin%20around%20your%20wound,have%20a%20temperature%20(fever).

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Many of our patients have inflammation due to fluid (wastes) that has built up in a specific part of their bodies, sometimes including the head, but many of them cannot notice it because the head is a locked cavity. inflammation in any part of your body means that your lymphatic system can do all the job by itself, so it needs help! 

One important fact about the lymphatic system is that for many decades, experts thought that it was all over the body except the brain. However, a few years ago, it was proved that our brain has lymphatic vessels too. Now, the question is: what happens when this waste is not flushed out of your body? In this blog we have a closer look at what happens when waste builds up in our body and brain and how we can help you to relieve it with MLD. Let’s start!

What is inflammation? and why do I have it?

Inflammation is your body’s immune system’s response to an irritant, it can be:

• germs, 
• stress, 
• wastes (buildup of fluids) 
• a foreign object
• in other words something that doesn’t belong to your body.
• injuries

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation.  It is the response to sudden body damage, for example, injury, cut or burn. In order to heal the injury your body sends inflammatory cells to it. This is how the healing process begins.

Chronic inflammation. It is when your body keeps sending inflammatory responses to  cells even when there is no external irritant. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory cells and substances attack joint tissues leading to an inflammation that comes and goes. This process can cause severe damage to your joints like pain and deformities.

What are the 5 classic signs of acute inflammation?

Signs of inflammation are:

• Redness or flushed skin surrounding the injury.
• Pain
• Tenderness.
• Swelling.
• Heat.

What are the symptoms of chronic inflammation?

Sometimes the symptoms of chronic inflammation symptoms are harder to spot, some of them are:

• Abdominal pain.
• Body exhaustion 
• Chest pain.
• Fatigue. (systemic lupus)
• Fever. (tuberculosis)
• Joint pain or stiffness. (rheumatoid arthritis)
• Mouth sores. (HIV infection)
• Skin rash. (psoriasis)

Taken from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation

How can chronic inflammation affect the body?

Chronic inflammation can affect your body day to day functioning and also in extreme  cases could cause diseases such as:  

• Alzheimer’s disease.
• Asthma.
• Cancer.
• Heart disease.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
• Type 2 diabetes.

What causes chronic inflammation?

The most common causes of chronic inflammation are:

• Autoimmune disorders( when your own body attacks healthy tissue).
• Exposure to toxins (pollution, chemicals, etc.).
• Untreated acute inflammation
• High intake of alcohol.
• Obesity.
• Exercise at your maximum intensity too frequently.
• Lack of exercise or movement.
• Chronic stress.
• Smoke.

Reduce inflammation: What does the lymphatic system do?

The lymphatic system is in charge of removing your body’s waste (all that doesn’t belong to your body, what can affect your health or what you don’t need) and protecting you from infection.. But let’s see how it works:

Lymphatic vessels run alongside blood vessels (they are all over your body including your brain) to transport immune cells and cellular waste products. The lymph fluid is then filtered through glands called lymph nodes and returned to your bloodstream. For that reason, it’s a vital part of your immune system.

Do I have a lymphatic system in my brain?

It seems that we have!  A recent study made by NIH’s NINDS, National Cancer Institute (NCI), and National Institute on Aging (NIA) (USA) results were published online in eLife on October 3, 2017) showed that there are lymphatic vessels in the brain, but more research will provide more information about how it works.

“We literally watched people’s brains drain fluid into these vessels,” Reich says. “We hope that our results provide new insights to a variety of neurological disorders.”

“These results could fundamentally change the way we think about how the brain and immune system interrelate,” says NINDS Director Dr. Walter J. Koroshetz.(link)

So, what happens if we keep our lymphatic system active and working properly? It probably will reduce inflammation all over your body, including your brain!

Does MLD reduce inflammation?

Yes, it does! So, to get rid of inflammation you need to expel, flush up or avoid what is causing it and one of the best techniques to do it is using Manual lymphatic Drainage (MLD). Weekly MLD improves the function of your lymphatic system, so wastes, pathogens, etc., will be eliminated faster from your body as MLD keeps your lymphatic system stimulated and active. And the list continues, to know more benefits visit our blog (link benefits of MLD)

Are you stressed? or Have you noticed inflammation at any part of your body? Maybe it is time for a MLD!

If you are interested in getting rid of inflammation, check my next blog, there you will find important and easy tips to reduce inflammation, don´t miss them!

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/boosting-brains-waste-removal-system-could-improve-alzheimers-outcomes

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347443/

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-cleaning-system-uses-lymphatic-vessels

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/new-brain-cleaning-system-discovered

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation

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