Wound Care Question - Don't know what to call it...

AbandonedPixie · 02-05-2008, 10:15 PM

Basically, I have a cut on my leg which is about 1 cm long and 1mm wide and it gaping slightly, any ideas on what to do?
It was recently reopened [not on purpose/by me] and it's clotted because I can see the dried blood but when it was done there was white underneath it. Will it heal okay, and anything i can do to help it heal?

btw, it's on my calf if that helps any.

Thank you

Miste xx

Animad · 02-05-2008, 10:24 PM

It will heal fine. To help it heal you can put a dressing over it as this reduces it drying out and therefore it'll heal quicker. An average size plaster may be big enough at that size. Putting some anti-bacterial cream on it to help prevent infection.

AbandonedPixie · 02-05-2008, 10:26 PM

I've been putting sudocrem and a plaster over it but because I'm rarely still, I'm either twitching or walking or whatever, I'm just worried it is going to reopen again.

l'il esky · 02-05-2008, 10:26 PM

you should keep a sterile dressing on it to keep it clean, research has shown that keeping it covered with something like melolin provides optimum healing conditions. keep an eye on it for signs of infection
xx

Animad · 02-05-2008, 11:07 PM

yeh, it should be fine with a plaster. It will heal with time and if it reopens a bit then tissue can grow in to heal it especially as it's not too big at all it shouldn't take too long. Try and keep it as clean as possible, the sudocrem will help to guard against infections.

AbandonedPixie · 03-05-2008, 01:58 PM

Okay, thank you=D

x

AbandonedPixie · 05-05-2008, 08:25 PM

Since posting this, I've managed to reopen the wound 3 times, the last time being about 5 minutes ago whilst in the shower.
It's pussy, red and sore to touch...does this mean it is infected?

x

x-dying-inside-x · 05-05-2008, 09:49 PM

it sounds like it hunny.
you should get it checked out.
xx

blondiebear · 06-05-2008, 03:52 AM

It sounds like it very likely is. Go to a walk in or a+e and get help.

Animad · 06-05-2008, 08:14 AM

Yep, definately sounds like it is. As it has pus it is probably a good idea to get it looked at; the quickest way is to go to a walk in centre if you've got one near you but some of them aren't open on a normal weekday. If you phone the doctor they might be able to see you today.

In the meantime, keep a dressing on it and cover the wound in anti-bacterial cream. The dressing should be changed ideally twice a day with the wound cleaned each time and new cream put on it. It may heal just like this but I'd suggest getting it looked at.

Signs that it needs to be seen URGENTLY are red lines running from your wound up your leg (known as Tracking), you starting to feel ill such as sickness, fever, dizziness, lethargy. Both of these are signs of Septicaemia (infection having gotten into the bloodstream.)which is an emergency.

AbandonedPixie · 06-05-2008, 04:36 PM

I'm going to put a dressing on it and such and avoid the doctor until I have no choice but to go. Means explaining things and going with my parents.

Thanks for the help xx

Animad · 06-05-2008, 07:50 PM

If it doesn't start to get better within the next couple of days/ gets worse going and see a doctor because you don't want to leave it too late.

Use anti-bacterial cream under the dressing/on the wound too to try and prevent it worsening/ help it to improve.

You could always go without your parents. Also, you could go to a Walk-in Centre. If you go there you don't have to give them your details/ you can tell them not to pass your notes on to your GP if that would make it better.

AbandonedPixie · 09-05-2008, 05:05 PM

My leg has almost fully healed. The scab came off yesterday it is still resonably deep and a pink colour; but toher than that it is fine=]

Thank you for helping x