My daughter has an infected cut in her mouth?

Question

She is imunosupressed and she has an infected cut in her mouth. She will be going to the dr,I was just wondering how these types of infections are cleared up. She wants to know and I really don't know the answer.The cut is swollen,red and has pus coming from it. She is also showing some red on the outside of her cheek/upper lip area(on her face)

Can someone help?

She is 10,the peroxide would not be a good idea,she could swallow it by accident

Nurse,
Yes she takes methotrexate for arthritis. The injury happened 36 hours ago and yes there is pus. I lifted up her lip and it just started oozing the pus. It has gotten bigger in size and she is now coming up reddish on the oustide of her face. Should she go to the family dr or the er?

I took her to be seen and since her health card is expired the dr wouldn't see her,so she is off to the hospital in a bit when the hubby gets home. More pus drained from it. Thanks all for the advice,I knew she would have to go to the hospital,but she really hates the hospital more than anyone can understand.

Answer 1

It's going to have to be a strong dose of anti-biotics. And if she is immunosupressed she may even require IV anti-biotics to get on top of the infection before it get's any worse.

Infections, cuts, sores, colds, virus' etc are so much worse as you would know for people who are suffering from supression for what ever reason.

It sounds as if the infection has really set in.

In the mean time get her to rinse her mouth 4 x daily with warm, salty water. Spit it out after rinsing. DO NOT SWOLLOW IT.

I'm sorry. I hope she feels better soon.

PS
I HAVE JUST RED YOUR ADDITIONAL NOTE. I HOPE YOU GET THIS.
NOW WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING I WOULD FORGET THE DOC AND HEAD TO THE ER. THEY WILL START HER ON IV ANTI-BIOTICS THERE.

Answer 2

I would recommend that you take your daughter to the emergency room or an oral surgeon for help AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. She needs to be put on antibiotics, particularly if the infection is spreading and beginning to show on the outside of her face. How did her mouth get injured? Is there a chance that there is a sharp piece of food (a sliver of bone, a piece of shell from lobster or crab) or dirt that might be in the cut that is causing the infection? If there is anything foreign trapped in the cut, they will remove it. Even if there is nothing in there, they may want to clean and wash out the infected cut to help it heal.

In the meantime, warm salt water rinses will help to cleanse the area and encourage the wound to drain. The fact that pus is coming out (rather than forming a boil in her skin or inside her mouth) is actually a good sign, because it means that her body has found a way to "push" the infection out. However, since she is immunocompromised, all infections have to be treated aggressively, and she will still require antibiotics.

Since you posted this question several hours ago, I hope you have already gotten medical attention.

Answer 3

The doctor is the right thing to do, until then you can have her rinse her mouth out with sea salt and water several times a day and try not to let her swallow the pus, You don't want the infection getting into her system any more than it already has. for pain have her chew an asprin, she don't have to swallow it, just swish it around in her mouth and spit. it will taste bad, but it will help. do the asprin after you do the seasalt. then put on her favorite DVD to help her take her mind off of it. I had a mouth operation once and I was so desperate I gargled with peroxide, it worked but I felt like I was choking because of all the bubbles. I only recomend this after you see the doctor and find out what is really going on.

Answer 4

The doctor, of course, will have the answer -- and may prescribe some antibiotics. But in the meantime, she can probably help and get some relief by rinsing with a simple salt-water solution. Warm water and a little bit of salt will draw out the pus and flush it away. My doctor always recommends this when I have a really bad sore throat, as does my dentist when I have tooth extractions, to help speed the healing process. I was specifically told NOT to use mouthwash -- and I think peroxide might be a bit too harsh as well.

Answer 5

If she is old enough have her swish with HYDROGEN PEROXIDE if she is too young, use a Q tip soaked in hydrogen peroxide . Saturate the area. It will bubble out the nastiness of the infection. Do this two or three times a day and it should heal in two or three days.

I have used this for many years at the recommendation of my Dentist. It really takes good care of your gums and teeth roots.

I also am auto immune suppressed, having RA.

Answer 6

Of course she needs to see the doctor, but you can make a very effective and safe mouthwash to help heal and reduce the pain.

Add ONE drop of Tea Tree Oil to a glass of water, rinse mouth and spit out...if possible have her finish the glass. It doesn't taste nice...but it works!
Avoid swallowing, although a little won't do any harm.

Hope she is better very soon

Answer 7

TAKE HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM!!!! (Yes, capitals for emphasis).

The mere fact that she is immunosuppressed already places her at great GREAT risk. This infection sounds as if it's already going into her bloodstream, and it could spread throughout her body. Basic antibiotics will probably not work, so she must go to a hospital.


PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE get her to a hospital!!

Answer 8

You need to get to the doctor asap. If she had no other problems with her health then you could take care of it at home, but since it is spreading and she is immune supressed she needs to be seen before it spreads and causes more problems.

Answer 9

i think what i would do untill i got to the dr. is swish peroxide around in my mouth.

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_oralhlth/infect.cfm