Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for an abscess. This is a painful bump that forms when pus collects under the skin.
The doctors made a cut, or "incision," to open up the abscess and drain out the pus. The incision is usually not closed with stitches. The wound might be packed with a special gauze to keep it from closing too soon. Sometimes, a small drain is placed.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment to come back in 1 to 2 days to have them look at the wound.
●Keep your wound covered with gauze until it is fully healed.
●If you don't have a drain or packing in place, you can soak the abscess. To do this, remove the gauze covering the abscess. Soak the abscess in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes at a time, 3 times a day. If the area is difficult to soak, you can apply a warm, wet washcloth to the area instead. After you finish soaking, carefully pat the area dry with a clean towel. Cover the abscess again with another piece of clean, dry gauze.
●If you do have a drain or packing, do not soak the wound. Your regular doctor will change the packing during your follow-up appointment. This needs to be repeated until the wound stops draining. Then, you can begin soaking it in warm, soapy water a few times each day. Otherwise, keep it dry.
●If you have a drain, the doctor will tell you how to care for it.
●If you were given antibiotics, finish them, even if you start feeling better.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if you:
•Get a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, have a rash all over your body, and have red eyes, diarrhea, or mouth sores
•Are confused or very sleepy
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●You have more redness around the abscess, redness or swelling that is moving up your arm or leg, or the abscess gets bigger.
●The wound has thick yellow or green drainage.
●You have gauze packing in the wound, and it comes out (unless your doctor said this is OK).
●The drain comes out of the abscess.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Skin abscess drainage (The Basics)
Patient education: Skin abscess (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a closed suction drain (The Basics)
