my sister dug her very sharp and dirty nails into my hand just 15 mins ago, and it is sort of red where she scratched my and it burns a bit too. there was only one cut, which i washed and bandaged, but does the burning mean i could have an infection. PS there burning was not on the cut.
2007-02-14 18:03:56 · 19 answers · asked by LOLgirl <3 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
it was her fingernails, not not her toenails.
2007-02-14 18:26:34 · update #1
Hi,
An infection would not respond that way immediately. Infections, while easy to catch, take time to reveal themselves. Like HIV/AIDS which can take from 2 months to 10 years to reveal itself, most other infections show up from 3 days to 2 weeks after exposure. The kinds of infections that are topical (like in your case, on the skin) are many. The only advice I can give is to clean the wound with soap and water (it will sting). Then put a topical cream on it like Neosporin which, you can buy at the drugstore. Place a sterile dressing like a 2x2 or 4x4 gauze on it or a large bandaid. If after 3 days to a week the wound begins to swell and/or you devlop a low grade fever, see a doctor so he/she can give you anti-biotics. My guess is that if you take care of it now, you will not have to worry. I hope you feel better soon.
Sailor
2007-02-14 18:18:14 · answer #1 · answered by sailorbme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably just the trauma causing the burning right now. Use peroxide or wound cleaner on it, along with what you've already done. An antibacterial cream is a good idea. The tissues around the cut area are being flooded with cleaning and healing body fluids, so there can be some swelling and discomfort around the cut as well as on it. Wash it daily, inspecting it each time, looking for signs of infection like redness that doesn't go away, pus and new swelling.
2007-02-15 02:10:32 · answer #2 · answered by DisIllusioned 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The redness is a normal thing around a wound. Your skin has just been torn open and your body is reacting to it. You did the right thing by cleaning and bandaging it. The burning is also normal as the skin on the hands is very sensitive and will react to the trauma to it.
Keep it clean and bandaged for a day and then let it "breathe" so it can dry and not harbor bacteria. If in two or three days there is still a lot of redness around it then you will want to see a doctor.
2007-02-15 02:12:07 · answer #3 · answered by LDYDRGN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In fifteen minutes you probably do not have an infection and it was wise to wash it. I also suggest that you put some Neosporin on it as well. Right now it is sore and swollen due to the trauma of it but this should pass.
Sounds to me like your sister has a few screws missing. Why did she do this? Ask her if she had her rabies shots.
Keep an eye on that scratch though and if it starts to ooze or does not start to heal in a few days then seek medical attention for it. Keep it clean.
2007-02-15 02:13:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am confused at the part where you said the burning was not on the cut....was in near the cut around the cut...???? it sounds noromal to me otherwise...i would put some bactine on it if you have some or any other antibacterial ointment that you have and put a bandaid on it. You do have some sort of medical kit handy don't you? If not run to the all night drug store or grocery store near you. Hopefully you do not live in the middle of no where with no supplies. If you do, you most likely have rubbing alcohol? Rub some of that on it. If you have nothing then soap and water will do until the morning.
I am sure you have a good medical kit handy though. Not to worry, this is nothing serious.
2007-02-15 02:10:52 · answer #5 · answered by LM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, chances of getting an infection that easily exist, yet give it a day or two.
An infection will be hinted if you see some pus (which are white blood cells fighting off a pathogen, aka, your body responding to the infection)
The sensation you have could just be friction or maybe she scratched one of the finest nerves of the skin.
Dont freak out, and wait till a few hours pass at least :)
2007-02-15 02:08:22 · answer #6 · answered by Santino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not an infection yet.
You can wash the wound with soap and water. If you have an antibiotic cream like Neosporin, apply that. The burning is due to the skin scratches and will subside soon.
2007-02-15 02:08:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
washing it and cleaning it with alcohol or any good wound cleaner cream is a good idea. it doesnt sound like an infection to me, seems like just ur sis nail was too long and sharp. always have a bandage on it to keep it sanitized and to keep any bacteria from coming on it. u should be fine within a few days.
2007-02-15 02:17:33 · answer #8 · answered by Ruby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too early to show infection. What you are seeing is inflammation, a response of your immune system to protect your body from an infection spreading throughout your body. If you do develop an infection, it will most likely be localized. Good you washed it. Now get along with your sister!
2007-02-15 02:09:00 · answer #9 · answered by Ann 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless your sister has something nasty, you shouldnt be infected yet. 15 minutes doesnt give you enough time, you are probably just feeling the effects of the skin being torn!
Tell that sister of yours to be nicer to you and keep her finger nails away!
2007-02-15 02:07:28 · answer #10 · answered by Bl3ss3dw1thL1f3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋