Post-surgery infection & antibiotics, why is the skin is still red weeks later?

[PKP08]

After abdominal surgery, I used bacitracin with zinc on the incision sites.  That and the bandages caused a rash and infection. The doctor prescribed a prescription antibiotic cream and 7 days of Keflex. It cleared up the rash infection, but my skin is "stained" pinkish-red where the rashes were  The doctor said it should lighten back to my normal skin color in a few weeks or months. That seems like a long time. I am using an OTC hydrocortisone cream 2x/day.  Does this sound normal and is there anything I could or should be doing differently to speed up the process?

[Donna3300]

I wouldn't use any type of steriod cream bc they can  actually make things worse. Let it heal on its own.

[caregiver222]

A difficult question to answer. There are viral infections and bacterial infections, but there are also mycobacterial infections, which are a kind of bacteria without cell walls and they are very resistant to antibiotics, which work by interfering with cell replication. If there is only  inflammation, a topical DMSO cream will (available at heath food stores), work.  And vitamin E will help. If there is a mycobacterial infection oral antibiotics are necessary and that will probably be a fluoroquinalone, such as Cipro, which work on DNA gyrase. This is one of those situations that requires an in-person consult with a physician who will take a few minutes. The chances are the area will lighten on it's own, as your physician suggested. I am not a happy camper with steroids because they interfere with healing.

[Redbedead]

I have had multiple surgeries, and call myself a "pale white girl" all of my scars are a horrible purple color for the first 6 months of healing.  The do eventually heal to a pale silvery line.  It takes time for the scar tissue color to fade out.  When i had plastic surgery on my abdomin in 2011 my surgeon told me it takes 12-18 months for a scar to reach its mature final look.  You can help it along with mederma ointment, if you scar is 1 month old or older, or silicon gel pads.  Just remember final looks wont happen for a while.

[PKP08]

Thank you.  My concern isn't about the scar itself.  I had a large rash all around it that has stayed red after the rash and infection has cleared.

[caregiver222]

Hydrocortisone creme is the wrong train in the wrong direction on the wrong track. Steroids represent an immune system depressant. They interfere with healing.  It is difficult to ascertain the etiology of the redness. It could be a persistant bacterial infection, which is made worse by antibiotic cream, and will get even worse when a steroid is applied.

[PKP08]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Do you think the extended period of redness is normal?  And if not hydrocortisone, what if anything do you recommend instead?