I have some decent-sized cuts on my lower leg. One of them has got infected. The skin around the area is turning pink. I don't have any of that carbon peroxide stuff. Besides going to a doctor, how can i get it to heal?
2006-10-02 15:07:05 · 16 answers · asked by Brittany 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Inflammation, redness, drainage, swelling and being tender to touch are all signs of an infection.
You need to keep the area clean, washing with soap and water and keeping it open to air can help. Being pink does not necessarily indicate infection. That could be trauma and irritation from the cut.
I do suggest that you take a trip to the Drug Store or a 99 cent store and put together a first aid kit, complete with Hydrogen Peroxide and neosporin.
If you have drainage like (pus) not blood and if becomes red and painful or if you see red streaks traveling up your leg go to the emergency room please.
Hope that helps!
2006-10-02 15:13:20 · answer #1 · answered by Medical Teacher 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pinkness is not necessarily a sign of infection-most cuts,scrapes,or burns will have a slightly pink edge.
for now wash the cuts with warm water and mild soap (dove or ivory work best) soaps with dyes or perfumes in them can irritate the wound or cause an allergic reaction which could injure you more.
apply a thin layer of neosporin to the cuts and cover them with gauze wrap and medical tape (these can be found at any drugstore) when sleeping or putting on pants that would cover the cuts-otherwise leave them open to air to help heal. change the gauze as needed...
things to look for that DO indicate serious infection and require a trip to the emergency room are:
-a sudden temp of 101.0 or higher
-increased redness or swelling around the cuts
-drainage that has foul odor or is green,yellow,or brown in color
-you have red lines extending from the cuts to the rest of your body (this indicates infection in the bloodstream and you'll need i.v. antibtiotics asap)
for the pain-take ibuprofen. it also has an anti-inflammatory in it to help reduce swelling. take 200-400mg every 6 hours but no more than 1200mg in 24 hours
good luck and feel better
2006-10-03 04:41:29 · answer #2 · answered by prncessang228 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you mean "hydrogen peroxide", which would be good for cleaning out the wounds. At least wash the cuts well with soap & water and apply a triple antibiotic ointment. Also cover them with a bandage and change daily. If the redness does not go away in a couple of days, call your doctor.
2006-10-02 22:16:09 · answer #3 · answered by stationarybiker 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the area clean and dry. Use an antibiotic cream to help heal the area. If redness occurs with lines running up the leg or puss forms see a doctor as these signs could mean serious infection.
2006-10-02 22:10:30 · answer #4 · answered by bramblerock 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have access to the aloe plant,this will help your skin heal so quickly,just cut the green part off the outside of a piece of one of the stems,the inside will be like a clear and kind of slimy,but this is truly a good medicine for so many things just rub it on as often as you need too it has a cooling effect .
2006-10-06 21:20:50 · answer #5 · answered by donnaw4195 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
clean the area 3 times a day with peroxide or rubbing alcohol, put a&d ointment on the cuts and wrap with gauze....if it gets too infected though you could run the risk of gangreen and could lose part of your leg. Seriosly, go to the doctor. you may need to take anti-biotics to get rid of the infection. does the area feel hot?? if so, DO NOT WAIT, go to the doc ASAP!
2006-10-02 22:11:24 · answer #6 · answered by bobbie21brady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best thing for you to do is to cover it with a dressing but before covering it you might as well so some cleaning.. a soap with antibac will do, but the best would be iodine sol'n (here in the philippines its betadine), you just have to purchase solution containing iodine in it- believe me its the best. you must do it every other day. if it doesnt work try to take penicillin (amoxicillin) its an antibiotic, if your wound will get worse and will have some pus secretions. the meds is cheaper and you;l need to take it 3x a day for at least 4 days.. believe it'l help a lot..
:)
2006-10-02 22:12:00 · answer #7 · answered by straight_up 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
EVERYthing Medical Teacher said. She's the only one you need to listen to. Don't use rubbing alcohol. I just wanted to stress Med teaches comment about the red streaks. This is a huge deal. If that were to happen you don't let it go for even a second. Go to the hospital immediately. Cellulitis and/or lymphangitis are nothing to be taken lightly. They are life threatening if left untreated.
2006-10-02 22:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by leviathia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you truly believe that it is infected you need to get on antibiotics (prescribed by your doctor). And besides, it is hydrogen peroxide and it is not going to help if you have an infection.
2006-10-02 22:12:46 · answer #9 · answered by Athletic Trainer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can either get hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol at a drug store and use that.
Better not wait too long unless you want a much worse condition than you have right now.
Ever hear of flesh eating bacteria?
2006-10-02 22:09:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋