Going home after your visit
After your abscess was drained
How to care for the wound while it heals, and the warning signs to watch for.
You had an abscess (a collection of pus) that has been drained. The wound is usually left open so it can heal from the inside, and it may have a pack or dressing inside it. Here is how to care for it.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back to A&E or your urgent treatment centre — call 999 if you feel very unwell
These can mean the infection is spreading and needs checking quickly.
- Increasing pain, redness, swelling, or more pus than before
- Red streaks spreading out from the wound
- A high temperature, shivering, or feeling very unwell
- Heavy bleeding that soaks the dressing and does not stop after firm pressure
- The surface closes over but pain and swelling build up again
CALL 999 A spreading infection or sepsis needs urgent care. If you are very unwell — for example shivery, confused, or breathing fast — call 999.
Caring for the wound
- Leave any pack or dressing in place until a nurse or doctor changes or removes it — do not pull it out yourself.
- Go to every dressing-change or wound-review appointment. If none was arranged, contact your GP or the unit that treated you.
- Once you are told you can, you may shower and gently clean the area. Avoid soaking the wound in a bath.
- Take the full course of any antibiotics you were given.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if you can take them.
What to expect
As it heals from the inside, you may notice:
Some ongoing dischargeA deep but shrinking woundMild sorenessSlow healing over weeks
The cavity gradually closes from the bottom up, which can take a few weeks. Keep any wound-check appointment.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above