Infected Scrape...HELP!
Thread started by
Candy Cane at 10.13.08 - 12:56 pm
Hi everyone, on the mosey last week, i fell while playing with the makeshift arc structure on the parking structure, and scraped my knee up pretty nasty. It wasnt anything out of the ordinary at the time, puglife helped me clean it and put some neosporin on it, and we slapped an oversize band-aid on it (which fell of about 2 minutes later)
i went on riding as usual, not really being cautious, every now and then the tire would brush up against my wound, causing momentary pain. the next day i woke up, and it was sort of yellowish, but dry (no pus). i continued to clean it about 3 times a day with peroxide, and kept it covered with a non stick bandage.
a few days later, as the wound was begining to scab over, it made it very difficult to flex my leg, it would cause the scab to break and start bleeding again, so i put some vitamin E oil on it to help lubricate it, and make it possible to walk + ride. (that was probably my first mistake).
it seemed to be working lovely, i would keep it under a non-stick pad and a gauze wrap, cleaning it regularly.
but something happened a few days ago, it started oozing an amber colored liquid (A LOT) from the cracks in the scab, and it was gummy and wet all the time.
i took the bandage off in hopes that it would dry out, but it continued to ooze the amber colored pus, sometimes dripping all the way down to my ankle. (so fucking nasty, i know).
but ok, heres the worst part: I got a bad fever on saturday night, and the next morning these pimple-looking pus mounds started forming around the wound, in a 3 inch radius around it. about 2 dozen of them. the wound has dried out as of this morning, but when i flex my leg completely, it crack, and starts weeping that fluid again. Im really sick too, and i wonder if its becuase of the infection.
im really scared, please give me advice! wtf should i do?!
i really dont want to take antibiotics and/or see a doctor.
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staph infection!
i have some cream i got for a wound like that on the orange line bike path, but i left it at my parents house. i can bring it to you on friday, but that might be too long to wait.
ruinedbyidiots10.13.08 - 1:00 pm
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shit. i was really hoping it wasnt a staph infection
Candy Cane10.13.08 - 1:01 pm
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can i get over the counter medication for this?
Candy Cane10.13.08 - 1:02 pm
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keep the wound covered. only air it out when you shower. DO NOT TAKE A BATH. hydrogen peroxide and neosporin until you can get this prescription cream stuff i have. when you put the neosporin on it, get some non stick gauze pads and cover it and wrap an ace bandage around it. change the gauze twice a day if you can.
ruinedbyidiots10.13.08 - 1:03 pm
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Infections can be really freaking serious (especially if it's at the point where it's causing fever). You need to see a doctor and get an antibiotic prescription ASAP. An untreated infection can have serious consequences...
I hate having to take antibiotics too, but that's why preventing infection is important (probably wasn't cleaned fast/well enough initially)... but once you're past that point of prevention, you're kinda fucked and need a doctor. Don't wait any longer... seriously.
canadienne10.13.08 - 1:03 pm
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If you had a fever, it means the infection has entered the blood stream.
You need to see a doctor and get antibiotics. The doctor needs to determine your condition and the type of antibotics you must take.
If it is staph (staphylococcus aureus), you cannot just take Penicillin or someone's leftover antibiotics. It will need a specific dosage and a specific time frame to take all the antibiotics to insure it kills the bacteria.
I am not a doctor, I just play one on the rides.
skd10.13.08 - 1:08 pm
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thanks for all your help guys.
i guess i really do need to see a doctor (which fucking sux)
i really really really appriciate the love and support of MR, thanks guys
Candy Cane10.13.08 - 1:09 pm
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if it is purple around it and still ozzing...and you are going to the doctor...ask them to do a MRSA test...
MRSA sucks it is easy to catch...but you can get rid of it...i had it... its a bitch... so yeah go to the doctor
MOM_RIDAZ42010.13.08 - 1:11 pm
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your fevers could be from being out late on friday night when it was freezing cold.
your wound appears to be a lot smaller than what mine was. im on the right, and brassknuckle is on the left. we have matching scars on our legs from crashing on the dirty la streets.
for the longest time one of my personal mottos has been SCARS ARE TATTOOS FOR THE BRAVE.
i dont have pills to give you, and i only needed to use the cream once, so the entire vial is there for you to use.
ruinedbyidiots10.13.08 - 1:14 pm
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Don't mess around with a possible staph infection.
Joe Borfo10.13.08 - 1:15 pm
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go to the doctor.
when i got all my piercings done, i was told NOT to use peroxide or alcohol- that they would prevent the wounds from healing.
not sure if it's the same with scrapes (obviously you would use it once, but 3 times a day doesn't sound like it would help)
go to the doctor- your body is telling you that you must. don't delay!
hope you heal fast with the proper meds- good luck
tomato10.13.08 - 1:18 pm
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For this one, I'm another vote to see a doctor, just to be safe.
And next time, keep it clean, clean, clean and liberally apply neosporin along with frequently-changed bandaging. Basically, help your body with the fight against infection by not letting more stuff into the area.
turrican10.13.08 - 1:21 pm
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thats what the peroxide is for. it kills the bad stuff. then the neosporin helps the scab form.
ruinedbyidiots10.13.08 - 1:25 pm
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uh, do you need help finding a place? or need a ride?
Joe Borfo10.13.08 - 1:29 pm
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last time i checked i was still covered under my parents kaiser plan, i think i may try that route, again thanks so so so so much guys. i wasnt planning on seeing a doctor, but after the overwhelming response here, i think thats its crucial
Candy Cane10.13.08 - 1:31 pm
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Get some pro-biotics to help your body recover from the anti-biotic's eradication of good and bad bacteria alike. Pro-bios can come in pills that you get from a Natural food store, or you can get just eat yogurt/ have yogurt drinks.
The bacteria in your stomach helps you digest or some shit like that all i know ... is you should help replace what you kill.
Oh if you aren't under a policy ... try the
FREE CLINIC before going to county and getting stuck with a nasty bill.
trickmilla10.13.08 - 1:42 pm
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Good to hear that you will go to the doctor. Please take care of it, cause riding a bike with one leg SUCKS! lol.
DeKadenzy10.13.08 - 1:43 pm
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@tomato
"when i got all my piercings done, i was told NOT to use peroxide or alcohol- that they would prevent the wounds from healing."
correct this is the worst thing you can do for piercings...i tell all my clients this
BadGirlAttitude10.13.08 - 1:43 pm
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Quit messing around. That looks like rampant staph. Go to the doc and get antibiotics. It won't cost that much and it's not worth gambling with your health.
0gravity10.13.08 - 1:58 pm
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yeah i just made an appointment for 3 o clock.
sucks to me right now
Candy Cane10.13.08 - 2:03 pm
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Well, you don't really
need to see a doctor. You could always just amputate. There's got to be a convenient level train crossing somewhere nearby. Just lay your leg across the track and wait. Should have the infection cleared up in no time.
ideasculptor10.13.08 - 2:10 pm
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ok,
i have had many large scrapes and cuts that have got infected.
you are probably okay.
just throw some hydrocordizone all over it (i like that feeling) and then don't touch it, let it breath, it needs air to heal. too many people cover the scrape and then it stays moist and never scabs.
if you poke the scab and a bunch of stuff (yellow and thick) that is normal, don't worry about it. don't poke it out though, keep it in there.
im trying to think of any other advice that has helped me in the past.
DON"T PICK IT.
mikeywally10.13.08 - 2:18 pm
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MAKE SURE TO GET TO THAT DOCTOR!!!
With all the symptoms you are having it sounds really serious. No one really likes going to the doctor or clinic but don't mess around with your health.
I'm sure the Doc with fix you up, but please let us know you are ok.
X-Large10.13.08 - 2:52 pm
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hey guys. I just got out of the docctors office. Ten days of anti biotics prescribed. It cost me 20$ to see a doctor and 10$ for the sulfameth meds. I'm hoping this shit works. See you guys in ten days. At least I'll be back up for halloween... Fingers crossed.
Kaiser sucks. I felt like they didn't give a shot and made an all too hasty diagnosis. I had to keep asking questions that the doctor should have just explained outright.
Thanks for all the support
Love,
Sarah
Candy Cane10.13.08 - 4:35 pm
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glad to hear you are okay
I have a weird question check your email... :)
you be back in no time...trust!
MOM_RIDAZ42010.13.08 - 4:42 pm
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It would be rare to get a shot of antibiotics for such an infection. Doctors will generally go with the cheapest, most prevalent antibiotic until your infection proves resistant to lightweight measures. The last thing they want to do is go after everything with the strongest antibiotics they've got, only to wind up with widespread resistance to that antibiotic.
ideasculptor10.13.08 - 8:09 pm
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Kaiser does suck - they throw stuff at you (probably to cover their ass). No way did my sister have strep throat 5 times a year.
They should have a greeter at the door handing out Amoxicillin.
turrican10.13.08 - 8:18 pm
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Kaiser nearly killed my friends dad ... they misdiagnosed an e-coli infection for almost a year and were giving him the wrong meds the whole time. It was only after he got seriously ill and demanded a better diagnosis that they got it right.
Glad to hear you got treated ... don't forget your
Pro-Biotics
trickmilla10.13.08 - 8:24 pm
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Aww dude. I knew nothing of this. Fuck. I'm sorry to hear that. Don't worry you'll be back soon. We'll miss you at the Mosey! :{
Awww man! Lame. Take care of yourself. And no matter how cool it feels to run your finger over the scab, don't.
Tarmonster.10.13.08 - 8:28 pm
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"let it breath, it needs air to heal. too many people cover the scrape and then it stays moist and never scabs. "
That's way old school. Antiseptic cream like neosporin and wrapped heavily will keep the area flexible, there will be less scarring, and it will heal faster.
That being said, I like to pick scabs so I don't follow current "wrap and keep moist" protocols.
And back to the issue, definitely see the doctor. My nephew ended up with a very similar infected scrape after diving for a loose ball during a basketball game. Doctor said it's really hard tom impossible for your body to kill these infections without antibiotics.
toweliesbong10.13.08 - 8:36 pm
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again, thanks to the overwhelming support and solid (for the most part) advice! i hope the thread serves as a helpful archive to those who have a similar wound situation.
i am being treated with potent antibiotics (theyre assuming that it is in fact MRSR(or however you spell it) due to the satellite pus pockets that have formed around the scrape + the fever.
@tarmonster - yeah i will miss you guys, and it couldnt have been better timing becuase i wasnt too amped on the cHILL mosey, but now i have a valid out :). hey at least im honest
@raquel - check yo' emailz, size 7-1/2, 5" heel
@ RBI - im really really really greatful for the support/advice/offers/valuable first hand experience accounts.
i am actually looking forward to the scar, will compliment my (last?)crankmob jousting scar perfectly. i love my scars, theyre the best momentos EVER, becuase even though i got hurt, i still had some of the best times of my life earning them.
so much love for the MR community.
Candy Cane10.13.08 - 9:10 pm
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albeit currently unemployed, ive been in in the safety/health/whatever you want to call it field for the past seven years.
ruinedbyidiots10.13.08 - 9:43 pm
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Sulfa is very effective against Staph infections. Especially antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus. You should be better in no time. Yay for modern medicine!
skd10.14.08 - 1:10 am
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if they gave you baxtrum for MRSA it will make you feeel weird for the first 4 days...trust me i know...but on the plus side it will clear up fast with it
MOM_RIDAZ42010.14.08 - 2:46 pm
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