Simple Daily Washing Guide

• Clean hands first before touching or changing dressings.
• Step into the shower or use a sitz bath; the water should be warm and gentle.
• Use a handheld shower if you have one—gently rinse the wound for 5–10 minutes.
• Avoid scrubbing or harsh cleansers—no hydrogen peroxide or strong antiseptics.
• Rinse surrounding skin with mild, unscented soap only.
• Pat dry around the wound, then let it air dry a bit before redressing.

Why Proper Cleaning Matters

1. Removes bacteria or debris gently without harming new tissue.
2. Hydrates dry wounds without causing excessive moisture buildup.
3. Avoids harsh chemicals that can damage healing tissue.
4. Wound Cleansing Basics for Health Care Providers and Patients.

Red Flags — When to Call Your Doctor

• Increasing redness or warmth around the wound
• Thick, green, yellow, or foul-smelling drainage
• Sudden bleeding or a reopened hole (closed wound)
• Fever, chills, or feeling unwell
• Pain increases during flushing (open wound)
• Water doesn’t flow back out when flushing (open wound)
• You see dark or black tissue inside (open wound)

Quick Reference Table

Step	Why It’s Important	Easy Reminder
Wash daily	Keeps bacteria away and removes buildup	1 wipe in the shower
Use gentle water flow	Irrigates without trauma	Flow, don’t scrub
Avoid harsh chemicals	Protects new tissue	Skip peroxide & iodine
Inspect the wound	Spot issues early	1‑minute quick look

How to Flush a Pilonidal Wound During Open Healing

Why Flushing Pilonidal Cavity Wounds is Important

• Especially important in deeper or tunneling wounds
• Helps prevent infection and reduce odor
• Loosens any dried blood or drainage
• Keeps the wound bed moist and clean — essential for tissue regrowth

What You’ll Need

Item	Use For
Saline syringe* (30–60 mL)	Aimed, gentle pressure flushing
Normal saline or tap water	Clean, non-irritating fluid
Clean dressing supplies	Re-covering the wound afterward
Paper towels or gauze	Catching drainage or overflow

*You can often get syringes and saline from your provider or a pharmacy. If using tap water, run the tap for 30 seconds before filling the syringe.

Step-by-Step: How to Flush the Wound

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Remove the dressing gently.
3. Inspect the wound. If it looks extra dirty or full of thick drainage, flushing is even more helpful.
4. Fill the syringe with lukewarm saline or tap water.
5. Gently insert the tip just inside the opening — don’t force it in too far.
6. Slowly squeeze to rinse the inside of the wound cavity.
7. Let the water and drainage flow out naturally.
8. Repeat 1–2 more times if needed, until the fluid runs mostly clear.
9. Gently pat dry the outer skin. Let air dry briefly.
10. Reapply a clean dressing.

Don’t Do These:

Scrub the inside of the wound, don’t damage all that new tissue you’re building!

Don’t reuse syringes without rinsing and air drying them.

Don’t flush if your provider says the wound is nearly closed — you may undo progress.

How Often Should I Flush My Wound?

• First 1–2 weeks after surgery: flush once daily, or more if draining heavily
• Weeks 3–5: flush every other day, or as advised by your provider
• Wound almost closed? You may stop flushing and rinse gently in the shower
• Always follow your surgeon’s or wound nurse’s instructions if they differ.

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