How to Heal Foot Skin Grafts
Skin grafts are performed by removing a portion of skin from a healthy area of the body and replacing it over the damaged portion of your skin. Skin grafts are temporary protective coverings used so the normal skin can regenerate and repair damaged tissues. Special care for a foot skin graft is needed to ensure the graft can properly take hold. Full-thickness skin grafts generally require a one to two week hospital stay, while split-thickness grafts will usually allow you to return home immediately after surgery.
Things You'll Need
- Doctor-recommended medications
- Clean towel
- Sterile gauze
- Ice pack
- Lotions (optional)
Instructions
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1
Take only doctor-recommended pain relievers to treat tenderness at the donor and graft sites.
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2
Keep the wound and dressing clean and dry. A thick bandage or dressing will be applied after surgery to keep the graft firmly in place. Do not remove this dressing yourself, it will be cleaned and changed in accordance with the schedule the doctor determines for you by your caregiver, usually after the first few days.
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3
Avoid any stretching, stress or exertion on the area of the graft.
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4
Press the wound firmly with a folded towel for 20 minutes if there is any bleeding at the site. Do not remove the towel before the time is up and if there is still bleeding at the site, call your doctor. Never rub the graft site as this can damage it.
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5
Keep your foot elevated above your heart level as often as possible, especially following the first few weeks of surgery.
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6
Apply ice packs to the area for three days after surgery, in 20 minute on and off intervals.
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7
Carefully wash the graft area, patting dry, only after you have been given the go-ahead by your physician.
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8
Change your own dressings if advised to do so by your doctor. Change the dressings per your doctor's instructions.
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9
Eat a healthy diet during your recovery period, such as lean, high-proteins, vegetables, fruits and dairy products, as this will help speed healing.
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Go to all of your follow-up visits with the doctor. The dried skin surrounding the graft may need to be trimmed by your doctor, and excess fluids removed from the site.
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Tips & Warnings
Application of cocoa butter or other perfume-free lotions after the site heals may be advised by your physician to help keep the area soft.
Sterile Vaseline gauze may be advised by your doctor to help keep the wound from sticking to the bandages.
Stitches will be removed by your doctor but you may still need to avoid excess strain on the site for three to four weeks after removal.
Some diseases such as diabetes, liver, lung or heart conditions may slow healing.
Painful redness, fever, chills, body aches, pus, odor and swelling may be an indication of an infection--be sure to advise your doctor of any unusual symptoms.
Pain medications such as aspirin, blood thinners and clot busters should be avoided, as these can promote bleeding at the site.
Avoid smoking for a minimum of several weeks while the graft heals---this can affect the formation of new blood vessels at the site.
