Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

How does a 'hole' heal up?

26 replies

OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 12:52

DS#2 has a big chunk out of his lower back after this accident last night. OK, I exagerate a little but it's the size of a 2p piece and about 1 cm deep. It can't be stitched because of the missing tissue, so how does it heal up. Will he always have a dip there?

Probably sounds a stupid question but I genuinely don't see how the hole will fill up again as there is some tissue missing.

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 13:05

Anyone any ideas?

OP posts:
shinyshoes · 30/04/2009 13:07

I would have gone to A and E to get it glued if the 'flesh' were visible.It might be a bit late now.
It will heal, probably scab over, but it could scar.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 13:11

We did go to A&E shiny. They dug a load of big splinters out, cleaned and dressed it. But no stitches or glue. Nothing to stitch or glue TBH, just a hole.

OP posts:
FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 30/04/2009 13:12

I agree that he should have gone to A&E. They would have cleaned it and packed it. It's important that it heals from the inside out. It does heal but takes a while, they literally have to put a special material inside, then change this on a regular basis so it will heal from the bottom of the hole upwards so not to get infected or leave a dip.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 30/04/2009 13:13

Hmm. Maybe pop him to the practice nurse, she can have a look and can pack it if it needs it.

McDreamy · 30/04/2009 13:14

Keep it clean, it should heal but is likely to leave a scar/mark. My brother had a similar sounding injury on his side while on holiday about 10 years ago and you can still see where it was now. It's not at all unslightly but you can see it IYSWIM

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 13:15

We're seeing the nurse tomrrow to have it dressed.

OP posts:
McDreamy · 30/04/2009 13:16

How did he do it? Poor thing, I'll bet it stings

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 13:19

He fell down a bank at my parents house and landed backwards on a rotten post. Wood was soft so didn't do any internal damage but it did dig a hole and fill it full of huge splinters . It was horrible.

But he liked the gas and air

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 13:19

It doesn't seem to hurt now though, We've been told to dose up on calpol and/or ibuprofen when required.

OP posts:
FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 30/04/2009 13:23

Poor thing.
It's horrible to see your child like this aswell. Are you OK?

McDreamy · 30/04/2009 13:23

Ouch

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 13:28

Yes I'm fine thanks fluffy. Was a bit shaken up at the time but that is one advantage of having a child that gets hysterical You have to be calm. My parents took my older 2 home and then came back to wait with us which was nice.

I will admit to a shudder moment when they finally got the big bit of wood out. Honest to god I nearly keeled over

Staff were lovely. They even gave DS a teddy bear with a 'I was brave' sticker on it

OP posts:
FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 30/04/2009 13:36

Aww, stickers!

I remember when ds burnt his hand on a faulty storage heater, I couldn't stop my hands from shaking I was so upset for him.

Horton · 30/04/2009 13:58

I had a 'hole' when I had a cyst removed a few years ago. It's almost invisible now. The hole kind of heals up from the inside and this is safer than stitching as you can't get a kind of 'gap' with no flesh in it (hope that makes sense). I have practically no scar at all, just a slightly different coloured area of skin.

Is he having the weirdy dressings that start off like cotton wool stuff and kind of turn to gel in the wound? That's what I had and they were wonderful - no sticking so really easy to change.

And poor you and DS. It all sounds quite scary.

SchrodingersCat · 30/04/2009 14:11

I had a 'hole' in my knee (drunken slip and slide moment at uni) that was about 3cm across and 1.5cm deep. They could not stitch it so I just had to leave it. It took quite a few weeks to heal properly but I just kept it clean and left it to heal on its own (advice from the hospital). He will have a lovely scar to impress the ladies with later on in life (or men whatever his choice may be), I do and it is smooth and shiny for some reason.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 14:41

Thankyou everyone.

I am expecting a rather tired little boy back from school today but hopefully not one in too much pain.

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 16:42

DH just rang. He is fine. Teacher said you wouldn't know there was anything wrong

OP posts:
roisin · 30/04/2009 17:30

Oh crikey! That sounds horrid: poor lad.

The human body is an amazing thing the way it can heal itself - the skin will just grow across.

It can only manage a certain size though, I wouldn't have thought it would have needed to be much bigger for it to require a skin graft.

What sort of dressing does he have on? When ds2 has his operations they put a 'splashproof' dressing on, and we have a devil of a job getting them off. It's one of his least favourite parts of the whole procedure!

legoprincess · 30/04/2009 17:50

When you have a skin deficit, a wound heals by 'second intention'. This means that granulation tissue (very red looking) comes up from the base of the hole and bridges the gap. This gradually contracts to shrink the wound and changes in appearance until it more closely resembles normal skin. What is left will be scar tissue but may well not be as large as the original wound. As long as the wound is clean and does not become infected it should be fine.
At least that is the case in dogs - I'm a vet, not a doctor!

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/04/2009 20:07

Thanks roisin - I hope it won't need a graft. Sounds a bit drastic! And he's already worried about going to get his dressing changed tomorrow

legoprincess - that is interesting. Now you mention it I seem to remember that was the word they used re the gouges DD made in my fanjo when she was born! I hope it heals quickly. I am terrified every time he moves

OP posts:
travellingwilbury · 30/04/2009 20:12

Ormirian , I had much bigger and deeper "holes" than two inches ( I had three seperate sites that were all at least 4 inches and through to the bone . They were all packed and yes getting the dressings changed wasn't a barrel of laughs but it was generally the idea of them doing it rather than the pain . They used to soak them first so they came away easily and I was given plenty of pain relief first .

At that size I am sure it will heal beautifully and your ds will be back to his usual self in no time .

bellavita · 30/04/2009 20:19

DH had a hole in his back due to having an enormous cyst on there. They had to dig it out and he had to have it packed every day. Eventually, when he did not need the packing anymore, the hole just sort of got smaller and smaller and closed, but unfortunately he does have a dent in his skin about an inch across.

With your ds being young, his skin will probably heal in no time and be blemish free.

mileniwmffalcon · 30/04/2009 20:31

aw i think you should have got an "i was brave" sticker too orm

Original poster
OrmIrian · 01/05/2009 09:56

Agree there falcon. I was very very brave! Not to mention very very patient

Thanks bella. I think he wouldn't mind a little scar left - just as a war wound

OP posts: