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Old 06-02-2010, 03:15 PM   #4
Animad
 
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK

If you change them daily they're much less likely to stick; if they're producing a large amount of discharge then twice a day. Really trying to peel them off and soak them as you do them is the best but really the only good way is to stop them sticking in the first place by changing them regularly. A pressure bandage will not make it easy as that constantly pushes it into the wound and also puts pressure on it so more fluid may be forced out into it if it is too tight; as well as this it can cause further problems problems down the limb if it is too tight by reducing blood supply. Any bandage in place, unless for a pretty short time to stop bleeding whilst you get it seen to and it removed periodically, need to be loose enough so you can fit 2 fingers under it; if it's not then you need to loosen it.

Really, in the future if you cut like that again so that you are having to use this many layers of bandage it does have to be looked at to ensure that it doesn't need stitching as though some bandaging material may be the same as what a hospital uses, often stitches are needed and if you don't get these then it can cause problems with wounds taking months to heal as well as infection as letting them leak through the layers itself means that any infection can get in. As well as that they can ensure no further damage is done and the risks of things like this are reduced as each time a dressing is stuck it does not only cause pain to remove them but does also damage the tissue underneath that's very fragile so just because they may help with healing and some have found them "better than sutures" doesn't mean it's a replacement. As well as this, different dressings are needed for different types of wounds and different methods of bandaging so it could also be that you're using the wrong one for each problem so it is something that you need to look into as all this does increase infection really and can cause further damage.

Yes, there are ways, even antiseptic cream, can reduce the chance of it sticking however these are all different. However, unless you're checking it frequently and know the dangers of methods other than anti-septics then they can cause more problems and worsen any infection that may develop if not cared for properly but if they are then they can make a big difference. A lot of useage of anti-septics also has it's own problems but with SH the benefits of reducing the infection often outways the bad things about them.

But yeh, going to the hospital isn't just about getting sutures, it is so they can assess the size of the wound, the problems it may have caused or may do in the future and them finding the best way to look after it which could be anything from a simple melolin or iodine dressing, to a wet-to-dry dressing, to a hydrocolloid dressing, through to steri-strips, staples, sutures and even reconstructive surgery/ skin grafting as well as also seeing if there is damage to the below. So what I'm saying is it may well be you have different dressings but often they can be used in the wrong way causing problems such as this as well as reducing healing or increasing likelihood of infection. Sorry to be preachy, I'm just thinking more about the future if you carry on SHin that you do need to take this into account. Also, as your wounds are getting deep and causing problems it is a major sign that SH isn't really working for you anymore so if you've not got emotional support I'd try and sort this out and between now and then or if you're struggling with whatever feel free to also contact the supporters via Live Help or support@recoveryourlife.com.

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