[franneh]

On 11/05/09 I had surgery on the palm of my hand to remove a huge cyst that was pressing on my nerves and tendons, causing numbness in my fingertips and weakness in my hand.

When I sent home, I was told not to take off the dressing until I came back for my follow-up on the 17th. It is like gauze material, and then I have an ace bandage sort of thing that I can tighten/loosen as needed. It's a rather huge bandage with a lot of bulk in my palm, so that I cannot bend it. I was, however, told to keep moving my fingers so they don't get stiff.

As of now, I have re-gained feeling in all my fingers except for the middle one, and they're all still slightly swollen.

I haven't yet needed to take any of the pain meds they prescribed, although there are short bursts of intense, sharp pain at the incision.

Now that you the background, I shall get to my question!

My dressing has a sort of funny smell to it. I can peer down in there a little and see a bit of what appears to be dry blood. I can see a piece of bandage that appears to be a little yellow. And I know I must've sweated in it, especially when I have to shower wearing a bag over my arm. The smell is weird. Not necessarily putrid, but kind of like stinky feet I would say. Part of it may be the smell of the bandage itself mixing w/everything. Note: I have NOT gotten it wet at any point.

This smell may be normal since its been wrapped on my hand and lower arm for 5 days, but since this is my first time being bandaged, I would like to be sure! I have to wear it for 7 more days!

I appreciate your time and advice!

[Wondergirl]

Usually the patient changes bandages at least once a day for that type of wound (incision). According to my infectious diseases doctor, a clean, moist wound heals much faster than one that is ignored.