Kathleen:  My first question would be to ask whether there are  any necrotic
tissues remaining around the excised abscess area?  If so, I would NOT go
the hydrogel route until these are clear.  Given that you said the exudate
is serous, I'll assume that means the infection has been successfully
cleared.  In this size wound, if infection is gone, I've found the best
management is to cover it with hydrogel and leave it alone as long as the
exudate is not floating the hydrogel off it (which frequently happens  until
the wound is very small).  The problem with the iodophor is that it is
disrupting the new cellular growth lining the wound and you or she are
ripping the new cells out regularly in the name of cleaning (not your fault,
it's what we were taught).  In addition to changing the routine, there is
significant evidence that 200 mg of zinc has exceptional ability to heal
wounds of this kind (see the burn lit).  As soon as the wound starts to
granulate (fill in), I would start using a product like Lansinoh on it and
have it remain clean and covered in between showerings. Once they start to
close, it's only a matter of a day or two.

Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC    [log in to unmask]
mom, wife, educator, lactation consultant, researcher, scientist, author,
organic gardener, photographer, lapidary creator, lousy cleaner.

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