Need your eyes...!!! Don't open if squeamish **Thread title edited by MNHQ**

[JugheadismyHero]

Does this look infected or healing???

I know asking strangers on the internet is not ideal but no chemist is open yet and he goes on a trip at 8am before anywhere is open.

Has it been covered with a plaster?

Id say manky looking but not infected.

Yes it has, just overnight so his pyjamas wouldn't stick

I’d just cover it with a plaster to draw all that gunk out and change it every 12 hours and see how it is tomorrow.
Have you any symptoms to believe it’s infected?

Healing I think. The yellow part looks like the skin is just dying off, rather than pus.

Ohh thank goodness,

Thanks for reassurance!!

He's fine in himself, I just worry. His pj's stuck to it yesterday and I had to peel them off 🤢

Problem is grazes heal better if they can be left uncovered. They dry out much quicker. Can you leave it uncovered at all?

It looks like it needs to dry out

Yes it usually is uncovered, just last night he insisted on a plaster so his pj's didn't stick to it. He has very baggy school trousers and when he is home he wears shorts (or just his boxers 😂)

Salty water is great for getting The bad stuff out.

Definitely go to the chemist with it.

Ewwww Sorry op I can't zoom in on the picture. Ive just nearly threw up.
Please put a warning on your title saying something along the lines don't open if squeamish or if you're eating.

Just let it air and it will be fine. Could he sleep in shorts instead of putting a plaster on it.
If it gets hot or the red area expands then get it looked at by a pharmacist.

Really?? It made you almost throw up?? 🤷‍♀️

Salt water is a great idea, will try when he gets home.

He usually just sleeps in his boxers but was cold last night

Have asked for title to be edited

Looks infected to me but I'd let it air and bathe it for a bit.

Just a wet scab, make sure he doesn't pick it when it dries!

looks like it's healing.
I would put on a hydro colloid (blister plater type) dressing to keep it moist and protected.

I’m a community nurse.
Can you get a ‘dry dressing’ from a chemist maybe a softpore or tegaderm. This will dry it quicker and keep it cleaner than airing it out under clothes.
Put it on and leave it on (can be left up to 7 days).

@AndWhat ooohh thankyou, I have screenshot this as I'm going passed a chemist later so will know what to ask for.

He was showing not symptoms of infection this morning, but he's on a trip and was excited for that. Will see how he is when he gets back, at 5 😩

Just needs something until that scab dries.Doen not look infected at all.If you put a dry dressing on remove it in the bath by soaking it off or it will pull the stuck on scab with it.

I'd bathe it in salty water tonight if possible, then let dry exposed to air, then dry dressing if you can't avoid it. Should heal up nicely.

awlook this really made you nearly 🤮

Wounds heal much better when allowed to be moist in a hydrocolloid dressing like a blister plaster. It will heal without scabbing and scarring. All this 'let it dry out' stuff went out of the window 10 years or so ago. Blister plasters available in supermarkets and are worth having in the cupboard. I got this info from a tissue viability specialist nurse, and have seen it work. But you would not believe the number of health professionals who dismiss it. (Vet, I am looking at you.)

The yellow stuff is Slough. Basically made up from dead skin cells. It can be a sign of infection but looking at that photo it doesn't appear to be. You need to keep it clean and dry. Agree with another poster research has shown that wounds heal better in a moist environment so keep it covered. Maybe visit your practice nurse if doesn't improve in a day or two.

Needs a bit of air at it. Scabs do go squishy if they are covered. I used to love picking the scabs off my knees as a kid.