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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if a small wound can be serious?

20 replies

yracey · 14/01/2023 08:41

Silly question I know. I'm sure it can but I thought this cut I had was 'superficial' meaning just on the surface

My son dug his nails into my skin and one of the fingers marks left a sort of hole. It seems to have got deeper over the week and is still not scabbing over

I've covered it with a plaster earlier on in the week but it kept being ripped off me and didn't seem to help, just kept the wound soggy

Anyway it is now really itchy and painful around the area of where it's been cut. It's not a big cut, just the size of an apple seed I'd say

What can I put on it? Is it true antiseptic cream might help?

Shamelessly posting for traffic as it feels so swollen but not much swelling is visible

OP posts:

Changingplace · 14/01/2023 08:42

Could there be something in it? I’d put some antiseptic germoline or similar over it and cover with a plaster, it’ll bring the swelling down.

Original poster

yracey · 14/01/2023 08:44

@Changingplace thank you. It looks completely clear. Because it hasn't scabbed over at all I can see it's still all fleshy and looks fresh with nothing caught 🤢

OP posts:

Duckle · 14/01/2023 08:45

Yes it can. I would wash it well, put TCP on and see a pharmacist as soon as you can. Itching can be a sign of the healing process though.

things to watch out for are increased redness and swelling, red lines tracking around it and increased pain.

Penhaligon · 14/01/2023 08:46

Keep soaking it in salt water. My finger got infected after a cat bite but I soaked it regularly over a few days and it healed really well.

Duckle · 14/01/2023 08:46

I wouldn’t cover it with a plaster, just make sure it’s clean and let the air dry it out.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/01/2023 08:46

If it’s not healing it could be cellulitis.

Patchworksack · 14/01/2023 08:46

(Vet) we’d advise any client where a pet has caused around that broke the skin to get it checked out by a doctor (GP or minor injuries) - infection being the main concern. Animal nails and teeth are dirty.

Original poster

yracey · 14/01/2023 08:47

@Patchworksack if wasn't done by an animal? Just someone acting like one

OP posts:

janeeyreair · 14/01/2023 08:51

What @Duckle said, I had a tiny scratch I had done myself, maybe an insect bite? My foot swelled up and I ended up on strong antibiotics with the doctor saying if it gets any worse I will have to be admitted for an IV.

I have always found keeping it dry is better, but Pharmacist should be able to advise.

Having lived in hot countries I became a lot more aware of treating any tiny break in the skin straight away and keeping it dry and clean.

lljkk · 14/01/2023 08:56

DH neglected a bad scrape (on his hand) that he got by falling in gravel driveway. Weeks later it still wasn't right, then he ended up (GP-prescribed) on some kind of expensive topical antimicrobial cream, used it for a month, to get wound to properly recover. Some wounds fester inside after the skin closed, I guess.

BMW6 · 14/01/2023 08:56

I got a scratch on my hand from one of DH's ragged bit of fingernail.

Next day my hand had swollen up and there was tracking so had to go to walk in centre for antibiotics.

The tiniest scratch can turn septic, be aware and watch for tracking (red line going out from site and getting longer).

SuperPup86 · 14/01/2023 08:56

Yes, a tiny cut can turn serious so it's best to keep a close eye on it. You can go to a pharmacist and ask them to look and if they think you need a GP or nurse they'll say.

Several months ago DH cut his finger on a tin can - it was just like a paper cut, nothing. It didn't heal and became red over the next 3 days, then there was pus - but it still didn't look 'that' bad, it was so small.

Then he woke up one morning about day 4 and his veins were purple from his finger to his shoulder, the infection was tracking all up his arm. A&E took one look and he jumped the 9 hour queue in 3 minutes flat...the receptionist looked at his arm, went 😲😲, said 'wait there' and disappeared, then he was called in - they didn't even let him sit in the waiting room. They admitted him straight away on IV antibiotics and he had surgery the next morning to clean it and cut away bits of dead flesh.

Don't want to scare you op but yes, can definitely be serious so don't be fooled by thinking it's only small or only a finger cut.

lljkk · 14/01/2023 08:59

Don't be alarmist.
OP's had her wound for about a week, it's not going to go septic now.

I went from ok to very ill in 24 hours once, probably from a very tiny wound, so I know it can happen. 2 days after that I went to hospital for 5 days. But OP's wound has barely changed in 1 week. It's just slow healing, not a major problem.

BertieBotts · 14/01/2023 09:00

Antiseptic cream should help. If that doesn't help within 24 hours or you see line tracking away from the wound, see a GP.

BMW6 · 14/01/2023 09:01

I have a memory of reading that the first person to be treated with Penicillin was a policeman who'd got a scratch from a rose thorn that became infected.

I think he still died because the Sepsis was really advanced but I may be misremembering.

AutumnScream · 14/01/2023 09:05

BMW6 · 14/01/2023 09:01

I have a memory of reading that the first person to be treated with Penicillin was a policeman who'd got a scratch from a rose thorn that became infected.

I think he still died because the Sepsis was really advanced but I may be misremembering.

Correct constable Albert Alexander was his name. Unfortunately despite initially improving yhe penicilin ran out and he died.

PlatinumBrunette · 14/01/2023 09:06

BMW6 · 14/01/2023 09:01

I have a memory of reading that the first person to be treated with Penicillin was a policeman who'd got a scratch from a rose thorn that became infected.

I think he still died because the Sepsis was really advanced but I may be misremembering.

I remembered this too - my memory is, he was very sick with sepsis, they tried The first and only batch of penicillin on him and it worked. But then the penicillin ran out, the infection came back, and then he died. Which is why we must take the whole antibiotic course 👍🏻

PlatinumBrunette · 14/01/2023 09:07

Damn I’m a slow poster!

BMW6 · 14/01/2023 09:10

Well I'm glad my memory is OK at 65 😀

Murdoch1949 · 14/01/2023 18:36

Wounds are best covered and left. Don't change the dressing until it's falling off. Apparently the would heals better in moist surroundings. Was a total shock to me, I was a 'let fresh air get to it' person, then had a wound infection and the nurse put me straight. Totally understand if a nurse posts and puts me right!

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