Question:
Has anyone with an opening in their incision, washed there hair while there incision was open

i'm 20days postop and my hair needs washing bad, but everyone is saying not to wash it because i might catch nemonia [spelling] my doctor says it could take up to 4weeks for the opening to close, so do i need to wait that long to wash my hair?    — TRACY D. (posted on October 10, 2001)


October 10, 2001
So you wash your hair while you bend over the tub or a sink. As for showering with a popped incision, I just covered it with a large bandage. No problems.
   — Chuck O.

October 10, 2001
Hi, I had an opening in my incision for at least 4 weeks. I washed my hair..and here is how. I put my back to the shower head and soaped up my hair and when I rinsed it I let the shampoo run down my back. Also, I got a handheld shower head which helped a great deal and I could soften the spray with the adjustments on the handheld. Also, you can use baby shampoo or very mild shampoo, Neutrogena is good because it rinses out well. That way it will not bother your incision if it gets the shampoo on it. I used Dove soap on my body when I showered. Make sure you keep your incision very clean since it is already open..bacteria can get in it quickly. My surgeon had me taking showers 2 times a day since I had an infection in my incision. But don't soak the incision. Take Care and keep me posted. Bye for now!
   — Karen Renee

October 10, 2001
I showered and washed my hair every day. I had a 3 inch long by 2 inch deep open incision. The doctor said to shower and let the soap and water wash over the open wound, then rinse it with clean water then redress it with a saline packed bandage. It healed very well in about 4-5 weeks.
   — Gail A.

October 10, 2001
Is your incision packed? If so, how often? I shower every morning before my nurse comes. I was told it is not good to have a wet dressing on for a long period of time, so I do it within an hour of my nurse coming. My incision was 7.75 cm's deep. In one week I'm down to 2.5 cm's deep. So, obviously showering hasn't hurt me. Also, I should mention that I've been using my daughters baby shampoo (J&J baby shampoo). I figured, if any irritation occurs, it will be lessened with mild detergents like the baby shampoo. But, if you do not have it packed and it is opened all the time, maybe you could shower and then flush with hydrogen peroxide or saline. Just a few suggestions. Good Luck!
   — Kristin R.

October 11, 2001
Go to a Medical Supply store and buy Aqua Guards. Put an Aqua Guard over the incision and it will keep the site dry and you won't have to worry about any germs getting into your incision.
   — Naomi K.

October 11, 2001
I was in the shower 2 days after surgery in the hospital and I washed my hair. My doctor said that the shower would help the incision. I washed my incision 3 times a day with soap and water and then I had to irrigate it with peroxide and put a clean bandage on it. The soap from the shampoo won't hurt it at all, in fact it will help it.
   — Terry H.

February 10, 2002
I know this sounds crazy, but rubbing dry oatmeal into your hair will take the oil out. Then when you are done, make sure you brush it all out. My husband is a camping freak, and also in the military. It's one of those crazy things they learn. And since I get to go with him (YAY) I get to wash my hair in dry oatmeal. It's messy but it works.
   — Nicole B.

February 10, 2002
Sebastian makes a product called DRY CLEAN ONLY. It is sold at salons and works great MUCH better then the dry shampoo..this takes the oil OUT.
   — Heather W.

March 19, 2002
Just an idea, if you're able to go by car, call a local hairstyling salon. Most only charge from 2 to 3 dollars to shampoo your hair, and it's worth ever penny to have someone else shampoo your hair.
   — Jean B.




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