Infection risk? - does sweat inside a cloth bandage present a risk?

I gave myself a nasty hand wound with a knife last week. The result of this was that I needed exploratory surgery to assess the damage to my nerves/tendon and finger joint.

I have a very large dressing on my hand to restrict movement so basically my palm is packed with wooly fibrous material and a cloth bandage is secured around this.

The warm wooly bandage is making my hand clammy and the bandage itself is beginning to get a wee bit smelly. My worry is this - does this then constitute a "dirty bandage"? Am I at risk of infection?

It is a whole week until my post-op followup appointment and I'm worried that this is a long time if indeed sweating within the bandage is hazardous. NHS24 basically just referred me to my GP if I was worried but I'd hate to waste their time if it turns out I'm just being paranoid.

Are there any healthcare workers or bandaged folks out there that can advise me???

I should add here that I am reluctant to replace the bandage myself since the point of this huge wooly packaging is to properly immobilise my hand in a set position to allow the nerves/tendon to recover. If I were to replace the original bandage I'd be unable to splint it properly (as it is now).

You aren't wasting your doctor's time. Call him or her.

Were you under my care, I would recommend a dressing change.

Anything presents some sort of risk by its mere physical presence,given the right circumstances.See your doctor for a dressing change and inspection.

get some tape from chemist and replace the smelly bandage with this instead, then you can replace it daily, also some barrier gloves might be a good idea if you are washing or showering to keep it clean and dry.

if you contact the hospital or your g.p. practice nurse they should be able to advise you

Sweat is alway a high risk for infection, and bacteria to spread, get it change and clean, now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!