My mother recently had poison ivy.She went to the doctor and he gave her something to get rid of it, and it did. Now, less then a week later, a bump formed on her leg. She told me it had a brown "head" and she poped it. This was three days age. Since then it has gotten much bigger and is oozing. Yhis is the first time I have seen it. I am going to insist she go to the docter again, but I want to know if anyone can tell me if there is something I can do for her right now. I feel so bad for her and want to help her.
2006-07-11 14:39:52 · 9 answers · asked by Tiffany 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
The new bump is way to big to be any more poison ivy.
2006-07-11 14:49:56 · update #1
She was at a family get together when she noticed it. I am thinking it might be a spider bite.
2006-07-11 14:52:53 · update #2
Staph infections sometimes will incubate in the leg before it turns red...this sound s like an infection and needs anti-biotics.
2006-07-18 12:23:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fill up a bowl with hot water, dissolve some epsom salts in it, or some providone iodine (both can be found at a drug store), or just plain water if neither of the above is available. Take a washcloth, put it in the hot water, wring it out and lay it on the sore spot. Keep re-dipping the cloth and let the heat help the sore drain more. Do this for 20 minutes, then cover the wound with some antibiotic cream, and a bandage. Repeat in a couple hours, in the morning, and every few hours until she can get to the doctor.
The heat and moisture will help the wound keep draining, and the antibiotic will help with the infection. She might not even have to see a doctor. If the wound gets worse, or if red lines appear going up her leg, the infection is worsening and she MUST see a doctor right away. (red lines means a bad, bad, bad infection).
I don't think poison ivy makes such a brown bump. Maybe a bug bit her, or something else, and when she popped it, she got dirt or bacteria of some sort into it. Keep it draining. Don't squeeze it as that can make the infected stuff go deeper.
If you have a drug store near you that's still open, I'd pop in and get some of the providone iodine. That's a liquid and it's what they use in hospitals. Soaking a wound with that helps get an antibacterial into the wound sooner.
(Last week my son got bit by a cat and we kept soaking his wrist in that stuff, just a teaspoon in a bowl of hot water, plus did the antibiotic cream, and the bite never got infected, so this method does work).
I hope she doesn't get worse.
2006-07-11 21:54:23 · answer #2 · answered by mw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely see the Dr., in the mean time you can help draw out material from the wound with a mix of Glycerin and Epsom salts. Make a thick paste with dry Epsom salts and Glycerin and place on bandage used to cover area. I would also put Polysporin around area before placing the bandage. Check date on Polysporin being used. All these things can be picked up at Pharmacy with no trouble. If the wound area gets red, inflamed, and larger, you should go to a walk in clinic if your Dr. is booked. If this is on the shin of the leg, healing will be slower and infection more likely as this area has less blood flow.
2006-07-11 22:21:27 · answer #3 · answered by bird buddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a spider bite or a tick bite. If it was a tick she could get Lyme disease. If it is getting worse she should see the MD or go to an urgent care for treatment. You can help by keeping it clean--no touching with your hand. wash and dry gently and cover with a pad. A band-aid is not so good as it doesn't let it breathe. Elevate her leg.
Don't forget the best way to prevent infection is to wash your hands--just a reminder.
2006-07-11 22:06:30 · answer #4 · answered by nursienurse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like the medicine might not have cleared it completely up or that she somehow got an allergic reaction to the meds maybe and the bump formed. The bump is now getting irritated due to the popping it and messing with it.
Definitely go back to the doctor to make sure though.
2006-07-11 21:45:09 · answer #5 · answered by Tiffany_XVIII 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stsart by bathing it in a solution of hot water and salt, 1 tablespoon of salt to 1 cup of hot water, thendip a cotton ball in the hot solution, and hold on the spot until the cotton gets cool, repeat until the water in the cup is cold, then repeat this every 2 or three hours when she is awake. It should help sterilize the wound and kill some of the bacteria. however, if it gets bigger than a half dollar, or she develops a fever, take her to emergency immediately. it may be nothing, but its betterto be safe than sorry.
2006-07-12 01:41:42 · answer #6 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like either a spider bite or a staph infection. Your mom needs to see a physician immediately.
2006-07-11 21:49:48 · answer #7 · answered by ceprn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work in the Medical Field. If it is as bad as you have described, she'll need to see her Physician. It sounds infected, the Dr will more than likely prescribe a medication for it.
2006-07-12 00:05:50 · answer #8 · answered by afanofnataliewood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call her doctor.
Please avoid infections.
Good luck.
2006-07-11 21:43:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋