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A&E Dilemma.

Mullardman

Moderately extreme...
About a week ago whilst gardening, I caught my leg, just above the ankle, on a dead twig which had been used the previous year as a plant support. The result was a puncture wound about 3-4mm diam. and of indeterminate depth. It seemed to have penetrated upwards into my leg at an angle and maybe to a max of 5-6mm... but hard to be sure. After a fair bit of probing I managed to remove a couple of very small splinters of wood. I thought there may well still be something in there, but decided discretion was the better part of valour. I thoroughly washed the wound with Isopropyl alcohol then slapped on a bit of Savlon and covered with a plaster. I removed that about 24 hours later and left the wound to sort itself out.

All seemed OK until yesterday when it got a bit 'angry looking'. Then.. this a.m a bit worse, to the extent of an area maybe 20-25 mm looking red and a bit raised. In the middle, one of those deeply attached 'scabs' which isn't coming off any time soon. As I lightly touched the wound.. feeling for any sign of a 'focus', a small flood of watery pus came out. I washed the wound again in IPA and then smeared on a bit of 'Bactroban' cream.. which contains Mupiricin.

So.. if it doesn't settle.. or if it gets worse... I have a few choices.

1. Consult a pharmacist. Not keen on that option as our local place is busy and small.
2. Take a trip to A&E. Really not keen on this in the present circumstances.
3. Try treating myself with oral antibiotics. I have both Clarithromycin and Doxycycline left over from last year's Dental Abscess shenanigan's.

Any views? Advice?
 
Call 111 and ask for advice and details of local walk ins. Similar happened to me in January, I ended up in a walk in clinic on a Sunday evening and was in and out in 10 minutes, without seeing another person and with a free batch of antibiotics. Stop putting so much gunk on it too! (That's what the nurse told me.)
 
I just had a similar problem, so I rang the surgery who got the nurse to phone me - I sent her a photo of the injury, and she sent a prescription for antibiotics to the local Boots; problem sorted with no dangerous contact.
 
About a week ago whilst gardening, I caught my leg, just above the ankle, on a dead twig which had been used the previous year as a plant support. The result was a puncture wound about 3-4mm diam. and of indeterminate depth. It seemed to have penetrated upwards into my leg at an angle and maybe to a max of 5-6mm... but hard to be sure. After a fair bit of probing I managed to remove a couple of very small splinters of wood. I thought there may well still be something in there, but decided discretion was the better part of valour. I thoroughly washed the wound with Isopropyl alcohol then slapped on a bit of Savlon and covered with a plaster. I removed that about 24 hours later and left the wound to sort itself out.

All seemed OK until yesterday when it got a bit 'angry looking'. Then.. this a.m a bit worse, to the extent of an area maybe 20-25 mm looking red and a bit raised. In the middle, one of those deeply attached 'scabs' which isn't coming off any time soon. As I lightly touched the wound.. feeling for any sign of a 'focus', a small flood of watery pus came out. I washed the wound again in IPA and then smeared on a bit of 'Bactroban' cream.. which contains Mupiricin.

So.. if it doesn't settle.. or if it gets worse... I have a few choices.

1. Consult a pharmacist. Not keen on that option as our local place is busy and small.
2. Take a trip to A&E. Really not keen on this in the present circumstances.
3. Try treating myself with oral antibiotics. I have both Clarithromycin and Doxycycline left over from last year's Dental Abscess shenanigan's.

Any views? Advice?
Mullardman, I think from previous posts that you are not far from Leigh? Get over to the Walk in Centre, this what they are there for. If you get there before 3 you might have to pleasure of being seen by The Boss as she's on duty today
 
I had similar about 15 yrs ago. It can get really bad really fast. I spent a day in hospital on IV antibiotics- still have the scar. Don’t chance it - a serious infection is a death sentence- You’re unlikely to catch Covid and even less likely to die from it.

It happens, as the old saying goes, first very slowly, then all at once. One day I'm in my doctor's office with a bad boil getting a prescription for amoxicillin, then the next day my lower arm has swollen to nearly twice its normal size and I'm in the ER getting antibiotics via IV.

Post back and let us know when you're OK !
 
I just had a similar problem, so I rang the surgery who got the nurse to phone me - I sent her a photo of the injury, and she sent a prescription for antibiotics to the local Boots; problem sorted with no dangerous contact.
This is the way to go. I had a problem a couple of weeks ago. I phoned the surgery, the doctor got me to download the NHS equivalent of FaceTime, had a look and emailed a prescription to the pharmacy of my choice. All better.
As others have said, your problem could turn serious without proper treatment.do it.
 
My wife has had this a couple of times. Once she sat in a meeting and a doctor sitting next to her could see the infection spreading up from her ankle. The meeting was stopped and she was escorted to the Emergency.

Do not delay. Never mind 111. You doubtless know where your A & E is, or minor injuries, Just get in the car and go. They are open for business, there are few patients and you will be seen quickly.
 
Hope all goes well Mull.

Having a few Aloe Vera plants around might be something to consider. Wonderful stuff IMO.
 
I’ve heard most places are doing a very good job of keeping everything clean and minimising risk of infection.
 
Go straight to A&E. I had similar symptoms and was given oral antibiotics by the doctor That had no effect. Four days later I was in hospital being fed strong antibiotics directly into the vein. It was 5 days before I 'escaped' hospital with a large bag of medicines and pre-booked appointments with a consultant.

If its caught early enough you may only be in A&E with Intravenous therapy for a few hours. If you have what I think you might have its dangerous.

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/cellulitis

Cheers,

DV
 
Mull, remember A&E is quieter than ever before. The people who work there do not want you to get coronavirus and are expert I'm making sure you don't. All the best.
 


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