Hi starting today my wounds become red and itchy,

27 days after surgery ...up until now they were almost gone, I did go swimming this last weekend any thoughts?

i waited the three weeks before a bath and swimming.

I showered every day post surgery with antibiotic soap and never had a single issue. However the chlorine in a swimming pool you have now exposed yourself to is another matter entirely. Call the doctor and see what they recommend you do. Three weeks is not long enuf to wait after major surgery to go swimming. It's not life threatening, but really do call the doctor or talk to his nurse. Don't ever leave anything red and itching after surgery without asking your doctor about it! Best of luck to you!

I agree that it would be prudent to call the doc. However, I doubt chlorine would cause infection, since it is an antibacterial agent. In fact, it usually helps with healing.

I think all that chlorine does is kill the numerous germs from the kids and adults in the pool you frequent; it also hurts your eyes and makes them burn, etc. etc. I do not know of any healing properties to it. In any case redness is a sign of skin irritation and of course it can also mean infection. It's probably just irritated her skin badly to be exposed to swimming that soon. My doctor did say avoid the pool and chlorine specifically so I'd go check it out with yours.

Well, yes, it is an antibacterial agent . . . that's how it kills all those germs. It can certainly be an irritant, however, and can make your skin red and itchy. I just meant that I doubt it would cause infection. Who knows what else might be in a pool though.

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood you. Yes I agree, it would not cause an infection on its own, but being in a public pool - ewwww!!! I love to swim laps but not with anything still healing up I wouldn't. Anyway probably some topical healing cream will fix it right up!