When you return home from the hospital after pilonidal sinus surgery, showering and keeping the wound clean is crucial to a successful recovery.
I am someone who was provided little guidance when it came to showering following my pilonidal sinus surgeries, which made it difficult to know what was correct.
However, I want to use my experiences to help you. My 18-month journey taught me all of the important aspects of pilonidal sinus aftercare, including showering.
Here’s my full, detailed guide on how to shower the right way following pilonidal sinus surgery.
Preparing For Your Shower
The preparation you put in before you enter the shower will also help you get set up correctly.
Getting into a regular routine can be beneficial; if you can get into the routine of showering after going to the toilet, it will provide the best combination during the wound cleansing process.
Before you get into the shower, make sure to remove any wound dressings that are in place. This includes any packed gauze or ribbons, too. You want the wound to be completely exposed when you get into the shower.
Showering With An Open Wound
If you have a closed wound, this will not apply to you; the majority of surgeries for pilonidal sinus involve an open wound, making this advice applicable to you.
Water Temperature
When showering, make sure the temperature of the water is not boiling hot or freezing cold. I found the best temperature was in between the two.
Shower Pressure
If you have a shower that you can adjust the pressure of, you need it to be powerful enough that the water gets into the wound to clean inside. However, do not make it too powerful as it may cause pain or discomfort.
As always, listen to your body. Different people have different thresholds for what they can contain and this situation is no different.
Using The Shower Head
Due to the position of pilonidal sinus wounds, it can be difficult to clean in a regular shower.
From my experience, the best method for cleaning the wound was to take the shower head off the fixed position, using your hand to hold the shower head behind you and directly on to the wound.
This will allow water to directly clean the inside of the wound and remove any dirt or potential causes of infection.
Digitating The Wound
Wound digitation when you are in the shower is a process that you must not avoid – it is that important!
I have a full, detailed guide on wound digitation for pilonidal sinus recovery that you should read. It outlines the importance, how to digitate your wound and why completing the action in the shower is the best method.
Using Dermol 500 Lotion
When showering, I found that using Dermol 500 Lotion – a moisturising, antimicrobial emollient – as a soap substitute provided an extra layer of keeping the wound clean.
Again, this point is more based on my personal experiences, but the main point is to avoid any soaps that contain scents or potential ingredients that could contribute to an infection.
Getting Out Of The Shower
Once you have finished showering, take extra care when getting out of the shower.
Make sure you have the balance required and gently step out of the shower – if you need someone to assist with this during the early stages of the recovery process, always ask for help!
When you are out, pat yourself dry gently with a soft towel, but avoid patting the wound with the towel directly.
I would always use non-woven, sterile gauze pads/swabs to pat the wound dry, minimising the risk of infection and taking extra caution.
You can read our expert guide on how to dress/pack your pilonidal sinus wound, as this is the next step following a successful showering process.
FAQs
Here are some of the common questions about showering with a pilonidal sinus wound that I can answer based on my personal experiences:
When can I take my first shower after pilonidal sinus surgery?
There is no set answer for this, but once you are discharged from the hospital, you should be able to shower the following day – this was the case for me.
Can You Get An Open Pilonidal Sinus Wound Wet?
Yes. You can get your pilonidal sinus wound wet. It is important to thoroughly clean the wound daily.
Once cleaned, you should then keep the wound dressed/packed correctly.
Can I Take A Bath Instead Of Showering?
I would avoid baths where possible if you can shower instead. Due to the area of pilonidal sinus wounds, it can make bathing uncomfortable and cause distress.
How Do I Wash My Hair And Not Impact The Wound?
From my personal experiences, I found that washing my hair by leaning forward was the best solution. I would also hold the shower head myself and spray the water close to my head, using my other hand to wash off the soap (again, while leaning forward).
This will prevent any soap from going down your back and coming into contact with the wound.
How Often Should I Shower?
Every day! Make sure to keep the wound as clean as possible during the aftercare process.