How can I tell if a cut is infected? It is incredibly super small on my lower stomach, but my shirt was rubbing against it and it became very irritated. The skin around the cut has become red and tender. Grosse, but there's a very little bit of um puss on the cut.
If it was a larger cut, I would go to the doctors, but it's so small, so are drastic measures necessary?
2006-10-15 11:12:05 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
Also, I'm afraid that the infection will have side effects / become worse.
2006-10-15 11:16:45 · update #1
As long as the red around the cut doesn't start looking like streaks, you're probably okay to try treating it at home. First off you have to irrigate the wound.
This is going to hurt.
Get in the shower, and hold the skin apart and rinse the cut out thoroughly. It's going to sting, but it's for the best. Once it's completely rinsed out, get some hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and pour it over the cut. Maybe even lay down in the tub and pour it over your stomach. (turn the shower off while you do this.) This is also going to sting. When you can pour H2O2 into the cut and it doesn't bubble up and turn white, dry off. Use a CLEAN DRY cloth to dry your cut, and pat, don't rub it dry. If you have gauze, that would be perfect. You don't want to leave any lint from a towel or toilet paper in your cut.
Next, apply a thick gob of bacitracin ointment. Don't use triple antibiotic, just plain old bacitracin (neosporin is good, too, but just not the triple stuff). Bandage with a waterproof bandaid.
Do this every day for 3 days. If the wound begins to scab over, do not get the scab wet unless the scab is yellow and crusty. If it starts to scab up, and the scab is normal, then leave the waterproof bandage on at all times.
If you see red streaks coming from it, it gets puffy, the scab is yellow and crusty, or if you start running a fever, go to the doctor. Otherwise, it should be okay.
2006-10-15 11:26:33 · answer #1 · answered by EvilBunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds like infection- the redness and pus.
Wash it with peroxide, then rinse with clean water. When dry, apply a triple antibiotic ointment and bandage.
2006-10-15 18:21:00 · answer #2 · answered by suninmyskies 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clean it with soap and water, apply some antiseptic ointment, leave it open to the air, and don't wear anything that will irritate it.
2006-10-15 18:14:49 · answer #3 · answered by IAINTELLEN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It stings, but I've always found Hydrogen Peroxide to be the best to disinfect wounds!
2006-10-15 18:16:35 · answer #4 · answered by george w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have alway found lucas' Pawpaw oinment gr8 for healing from tattoos to nappy rash. And its natural = )
2006-10-15 18:21:38 · answer #5 · answered by kill4waterviews 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apply Neosporin and cover it with a bandage. It should heal.
2006-10-15 18:21:19 · answer #6 · answered by karen wonderful 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cut opens, apply alcohol.
2006-10-15 18:14:43 · answer #7 · answered by J1ZZ IN MY PANTS 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋