What Was Done
The lesion was scraped away with a curette and the base was treated with cautery to destroy any remaining abnormal cells and control bleeding. This leaves a small, shallow wound that heals over 2–4 weeks. No sutures are placed.
Pilonidal cysts or sinuses in the tailbone area were opened and cleaned out. The wound is left open to heal from the inside out — this reduces recurrence risk compared to closing it with sutures. These wounds take longer to heal and require consistent daily wound care throughout.
Daily Wound Care — Both Wound Types
- Clean the wound gently with mild soap and water or saline wound wash once or twice daily
- Pat dry gently — never rub
- Apply Vaseline, Aquaphor, or antibiotic ointment liberally to the wound bed — it should look moist and shiny, not dry
- Cover with gauze or a non-stick dressing (Telfa pad) secured with medical tape or a bandage
- Repeat daily — or twice daily if the wound is producing significant discharge
💡 Why Moisture Is Everything
The single most important principle of open wound care is keeping the wound moist at all times. A moist wound heals 40–50% faster than a dry one, produces a flatter scar, is less painful, and carries a lower infection risk. If your wound looks dry or the surface crust is hard, increase how often you apply ointment. Do not let it dry out.
How Long Will This Take?
| Wound Type | Typical Healing Time |
|---|
| Small ED&C site (<1 cm) | 1–3 weeks |
| Larger ED&C site (1–2 cm) | 2–4 weeks |
| Pilonidal wound — small | 2–4 weeks |
| Pilonidal wound — larger | 4-6 weeks |
Wounds on the lower legs heal the slowest. Face and scalp heal the fastest. Individual healing varies significantly.
Additional Instructions — Pilonidal Wounds
- Keep the wound area as clean as possible — daily showering is important
- After showering, pat the area dry and apply a fresh dressing. If it's not painful, use a gentle wiping motion to ensure no hairs get trapped in the healing wound.
- Hair removal around the wound opening (shaving or laser) significantly reduces recurrence risk once healed — discuss with Dr. Innes
- Avoid prolonged sitting on hard surfaces — use a cushion when possible
- Loose, breathable clothing is preferred — tight clothing can trap moisture and increase infection risk
- You may need a family member or partner to assist with wound care given the location
Activity
ED&C Sites
- Most patients return to normal activities the same day or the day after
- There are no stitches to pop, so there are no activity restrictions
- Swimming is fine — infection risk is low if you're following the wound care instructions above. Rinse and reapply dressing after swimming.
Pilonidal Wounds
- Avoid prolonged sitting for the first 1–2 weeks
- No need to avoid exercise or lifting unless it is painful at the wound — let pain guide you
- You can return to work as soon as you feel ready, but tenderness makes that difficult for some patients in the first few days
- Swimming is fine once you are comfortable — infection risk is low with proper wound care. Rinse and reapply dressing after swimming.
The Healing Process — What to Expect
| Stage | What's Happening |
|---|
| Days 1–5 | The wound may ooze clear or slightly bloody fluid — normal. Keep it clean and moist. |
| Week 1–2 | The wound base fills in with granulation tissue — healthy red, slightly bumpy tissue. This is a good sign that healing is progressing. |
| Week 2–6 | The wound gradually contracts. Edges slowly migrate toward the center. The wound becomes progressively smaller each week. |
| Final weeks | Surface skin closes over the wound. The resulting scar is usually flat and fades over months. |
💡 About Granulation Tissue
The red, beefy tissue that fills the wound base is healthy healing tissue — not infection. It should look moist and red. If it becomes pale, dry, or crusty, increase how often you apply ointment. If it looks overgrown or bleeds easily at dressing changes, let us know.
Things You May Notice
✓ Normal — Expected
- Clear, yellow, or slightly bloody drainage — especially in the first 1–2 weeks
- Redness right at the wound edges (within ~1 cm of the wound)
- Mild odor — normal in a healing open wound
- The wound appearing slightly larger before it starts shrinking — normal in the first few days
- Mild tenderness throughout the healing process
- Itching as the wound heals and skin contracts
! Contact Us If You Notice
- Spreading redness beyond ~1 cm from the wound edge
- Increasing pain after the first 3 days rather than improving
- Thick green or foul-smelling discharge
- Fever over 100.4°F
- No signs of progress (wound not getting smaller) after 3–4 weeks
- Any concern that doesn't feel right
When to Contact Us
We're happy to see you at any point if you're concerned about how your wound is healing or just want to make sure it looks okay.
💬 Routine Questions & Follow-Up
Text 801-776-7129 during business hours to schedule a wound check or ask a question.
⚠ After-Hours Concerns
Text Dr. Innes directly: 801-414-8443
🚨 Seek Emergency Care If You Experience:
- Rapidly spreading redness or red streaking from the wound
- High fever with worsening wound pain
- Significant bleeding that does not stop with 10 minutes of firm pressure