Diving With Scab On Incision..,

[Divechk103]

I've just had back surgery 2 weeks ago. My doc is ok with me diving in Mexico. I'm leaving this Saturday for 7 days. She just wants the scab to be off of my incision site....what are people's thoughts on this? I was always under the impression if it has a scab you're good, natures bandaide.

 

[TMHeimer]

I offer no advice. My mom always told us kids that the salt water is good for any cuts/wounds. Don't know if it's true, but I've never had any bad effects to any wound, open or not, from being in salt water. I guess if unsure you could consult another doctor--one with diving experience?

 

[KevinNM]

I'd assume she has valid reasons for that position, but I'd post that question in the dive medicine forum here if you want another view.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Great question for Basic but I think it would be good if we have one of our Diving Medicine give us some advice on general wound care for diving.

I know some people consider the scab to be Nature's band-aide. The problem is that under the scab you can't tell how well healed the original wound is. Many times people have scratched a scab off (not recommended action) then started bleeding again. Dive gear rubs, scabs when soaked can get soft and lift off. If this happens in water that may not be clean you could wind up with a massive problem.

After my recent surgery my Doc didn't want me to dive for two weeks after sutures came out. That was just on my arm. I would be concerned about the incision bein on your back with the potential for BC and Tank to chaff. I always make sure that when I get advice about when to dive the doctor is at the very least familiar with diving at best a dive doctor or a diver themselves.

 

[Neilwood]

Great question for Basic but I think it would be good if we have one of our Diving Medicine give us some advice on general wound care for diving.

I know some people consider the scab to be Nature's band-aide. The problem is that under the scab you can't tell how well healed the original wound is. Many times people have scratched a scab off (not recommended action) then started bleeding again. Dive gear rubs, scabs when soaked can get soft and lift off. If this happens in water that may not be clean you could wind up with a massive problem.

After my recent surgery my Doc didn't want me to dive for two weeks after sutures came out. That was just on my arm. I would be concerned about the incision bein on your back with the potential for BC and Tank to chaff. I always make sure that when I get advice about when to dive the doctor is at the very least familiar with diving at best a dive doctor or a diver themselves.

I would agree with this view - it is difficult to assess healing under a scab. Could be the tissues are fully knitted together (in which case you are good to go) or they might not be knitting together well in which case you add water, the scab disintegrates and you get water and infection directly into a now open wound.

The other thing is that moving kit (heavy weights) might cause an incision to open under strain if it is not very near to perfectly healed and 3 weeks between surgery and putting it under load might not be enough.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

I'll admit I had four surgeries on my arm over the last 3 months. The more serious they got the more they stressed that right after the sutures come out is the weakest time. The sutures give some strength to the wound and when they are gone the wound should be considered "delicate" for a further week.

You don't say anything other than surgery to you back. That can be anything from minor or superficial to major surgery to your spine. I won't invade your privacy here but I would say the more serious the surgery was the more seriously you should consider if you are really ready to dive. No one dive or dive trip is worth compromising your health and ability to dive in the future. Better to miss diving now and be able to do heaps of it later than get impatient and potentially miss out on MANY more dives in the future.

 

[miketsp]

As this is in Basic Scuba Discussions and not in a medical forum I'll jump in with a layman's opinion based on my old age and similar experiences. First just over 2 weeks seems a short time between surgery and diving. Secondly I really would want the scab to have fallen off naturally and see a layer of new skin sealing the wound. As others have said, you don't know what's under the scab, it could be raw flesh, and soaking a scab in water in my experience just makes it soft, spongy and POROUS.
Try Googling "microscopic view of sea water" and switch to images. You'll be amazed at how much life there is in a single drop - and then think about exposing raw flesh to all that.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

I've just had back surgery 2 weeks ago. My doc is ok with me diving in Mexico. I'm leaving this Saturday for 7 days. She just wants the scab to be off of my incision site....what are people's thoughts on this? I was always under the impression if it has a scab you're good, natures bandaide.

What kind of surgery did you have, and is your surgeon aware of the extra strain that diving places on the back?

Provided she understands all that and is ok with it, if your surgical site is fully healed inside and out, your risk for complications should be minimal. The danger of placing strain on a recent surgery site would be dehiscence of the incision, infection from pathogens that live in salt water (no disrespect to TMHeimer's mom intended), and damage to the underlying tissue that was recently manipulated.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Bratface]

Whatever you decide, wash your new scar with soap and water as soon as possible after the dive. Observe for redness or drainage which could be early signs of infection. Don't neglect the wound if any signs of early infection are evident. I also agree with Duke Dive Medicine, it's the underlying tissue that also must be thoroughly healed.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

I hope this isn't too much of a step from the original question but it seems like a good time to ask. We all get minor cuts, blisters and irritations during dive trips. @Duke Dive Medicine what would you suggest for us to take on our dive trips for first aid supplies? Would you mind suggesting how to manage these minor things so we don't have to miss dives. I have found Hyperfix, Opsite and Coban Bandages have saved the day for me on a few occasions.