What do you tell patients about swimming in the ocean or in lakes after biopsy or surgical procedure?
Growing awareness of Vibrio infections has raised questions about post-op water precautions. Is a waterproof bandage enough to allow swimming, or should water exposure be restricted for a set period regardless of dressing?
2 Answers
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Dermatology · Central Dermatology Center
Answered on
I recommend that patients wait until the wound has fully re-epithelialized to submerge in the ocean, lake, pool, or hot tub.
Join for free or sign in to see the full answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Dermatology · University of California Irvine
Answered on
Bandages, no matter how waterproof, can leak due to patients' motion underneath the bandage. Consequently, I recommend that patients avoid soaking in water until after any sutures are out. It takes about two days following suture removal for the holes left by the sutures to seal up. I am not aware o...
Join for free or sign in to see the full answer