How To Help Surgery Skin Heal

Introduction

One of the most common complications of surgery is infection that stems from poorly healing surgery skin. Other complications that can arise by not taking care of surgery skin include blood clots, stitches coming apart and pneumonia. To avoid infection and promote healing, there are several steps that you can take at home. Your physician will mostly provide you with after-care instructions following the surgery that you can follow in conjunction with the ideas below. Following a treatment plan can minimize your recovery time and get you back up on your feet in no time.

Step 1

Stop smoking to help your surgery skin heal. Smoking causes the blood vessels in your body to constrict. Once the vessels are constricted, they can no longer carry needed nutrients and oxygen to other areas of your body. The lack of nutrients and oxygen can slow your surgery skin from healing. Most medical professionals advise that people who are expecting to have surgery stop smoking at least three days before the surgery. The three-day period allows the carbon monoxide in your body to cycle out of your blood which can drastically reduce the amount of time your body needs to heal following the surgery.

Step 2

Drink plenty of fluids to heal surgery skin. The right fluids, such as water, can help keep your skin hydrated which can help surgery skin to heal quickly. Dry skin can take longer to heal and may even be a breeding ground for infection. Avoid drinks with lots of caffeine and sugar. Most medical professionals recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water each day while healing from surgery.

Step 3

Eat healthier foods that are rich in vitamins and proteins. Leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and meats can help your surgery skin to heal more quickly. Often the food provides natural minerals and vitamins that are vital to your overall health. Vitamin C plays a big role in your body healing following surgery. If you feel as if you are not getting enough through the foods you eat, you can take a supplement.

Step 4

Apply tea tree oil and manuka honey to the healing surgery skin. Both substances contain anti-microbial properties which helps prevent infection and promote healing of the surgery skin. The anti-microbial property of each has been found to kill a variety of bacteria including that which has been known to cause methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureau, or MRSA. The oil and honey can be used as a dressing and diluted with water to change the consistency as needed.

Step 5

Use aloe vera on surgery skin. Aloe vera is well-known for its healing properties. While recovering from surgery, you can use the topical gel form of aloe vera or opt to use the oral form. To promote faster healing, use both on a daily basis.

Tips

Before taking any sort of vitamin or ointment to help with surgery skin, confer with your physician to ensure that there is not a possible drug interaction with any other medications you are taking. If there is, your physician can recommend a different vitamin or ointment.

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