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Original poster

DD has split her face. Can I use stristrips. Warning photo

160 replies

AccidentsAhoy · 22/03/2020 13:01

I really don't want to take her to the hospital right now. We're in self isolation with symptoms.

A friend offered to go chemist and get stristrips.

I've cleaned with savlon antiseptic cream.

What would you do?

DD has split her face. Can I use stristrips. Warning photo
OP posts:
Moreisnnogedag · 22/03/2020 16:01

given the context that’ll do fine with steristripping. She’s 13 and old enough and I presume mature enough to have bodily autonomy.

And tbh if I got asked to see a 13 yr old who was unhappy about having a procedure that would in reality offer her minimal benefit, I would steristrip the thing myself and be done with it.

Just keep an eye out for infection. I presume she can chew/bite without pain?

Zacharyezrarawlings · 22/03/2020 16:17

accidents just wanted to say well done to you and your dd. I honestly can't believe how many people were saying take her to A&E. Do people honestly not realise what is happening out there!? I would say that will be fine with steristrips. And bloody good on your kind and resilliant dd what a superb example she is to all of us.

VenetoResident · 22/03/2020 16:18

@AccidentsAhoy

FWIW a few weeks ago when CV was just taking off in Italy I couldn't decide whether or not to take DS2 to A&E.

He'd been ill for a week - couldn't walk to the toilet and when he stood up his sats dropped to 82%. He was ok ish lying down.

I took him to A&E. He had pneumonia. A few days later with no/minor improvement his consultant wanted him to be hospitalised for IV ABs. She was off work with CV by then. She had seen him three days earlier. We decided not to take him - he was query CV so would have been on a CV ward without a parent.

It was not a decision made under 'normal' circumstances. You're doing what seems best. People are choosing not to call ambulances here so they don't die alone without pain relief. It's a scar. 🌷

Salud · 22/03/2020 16:23

I doubt she'll thank you when she's older, but the decision is yours I suppose.

AmIAWeed · 22/03/2020 16:29

I am sure you have made the right decision any IF when she's older a scar bothers her there are options.
I have a 2 inch scar near my eye across my nose where a mole was removed due to it growing. I knew it had to go, but was upset by the scar. I've had regular facials and needling and it's much much less visible now.
So, you have made the right choice right now and if it scars there's options - all of which are far preferable to putting yourself or others at risk. Anyone that says otherwise can bugger off

Thisisworsethananticpated · 22/03/2020 16:31

Op Flowers I was saying to my kids stay safe as this is the worst time to have an accident
Can you try a minor injuries instead

Cornettoninja · 22/03/2020 16:34

I think you’ve made the right decision. I have a couple of prominent scars on my face (bottom lip and a long one across my chin after losing a fight with a swing) and I rather like them Grin.

Maybe hospitals just weren’t as bothered in the 80’s/90’s but I don’t recall having anything more than stitches and possibly a tetanus(?).

Maybe try and get hold of some bio oil as I’ve heard that can make a remarkable difference to how it heals but she’ll probably need to keep using it for a fair while.

AbsentmindedWoman · 22/03/2020 16:42

I think you’re doing the right thing. Fingers crossed it heals well and no infection.

Also, later on a good plastic surgeon can do a lot with a scar if she is unhappy with it.

EarringsandLipstick · 22/03/2020 16:49

I disagree with your choice and reasoning. That really needs looking at.

It's not up to you to worry regarding a&e situation. Here in Ireland, they spoke specifically about people not seeking help (for non-Covid issues) when they should. They are concerned and reminding people to use the services.

Here, anyone with Covid symptoms is being isolated so kept apart from those without. They are managing the situation.

I can't of course comment on your own hospital local to you which I know you mention is busy. But I'd be amazed if that heals with steristrips and even if it does, it will take quite a while.

I know you are doing this from the best of intentions but I really would re-think.

Original poster
AccidentsAhoy · 22/03/2020 17:15

I'm happy with my decision, Thankyou.

OP posts:
QuimJongUn · 22/03/2020 17:40

This looks very similar to when I cut my hand on a very sharp bread knife a while ago. About 4 or 5 cm long, a clean cut with minimal bleeding and the sub cut fat visible. I went to minor injuries, they cleaned it with sterile water and closed it with steristrips, a bandage on top. Healed beautifully and I have the most minimal, fine scar.

Well done for being so sensible OP. Your DD sounds fab and you seem like a fab mum Smile

pennow · 22/03/2020 17:40

If she did it in the garden is her tetanus up to date.

EarringsandLipstick · 22/03/2020 17:43

Ok AccidentsAhoy it's your child & your decision. I think it's a poor one and made for poor reasons but of course that's just me! I hope your DD recovers well 💐

Bluntness100 · 22/03/2020 17:46

I’d also take my daughter to hospital for that, it looks terribly deep. She probably doesn’t wish to put you out so is saying she’s ok with it to not cause an issue, but that’s a significant issue.

WhatHappenedThen · 22/03/2020 17:51

salud. The whole family including the OPs daughter have made the decision together. I’d have done the same and if I were the OPs DD I wouldn’t care about a scar in that position.

I’d clean it and tape it and keep a close eye on it.

Hope it heals well OP.

HarrietThePi · 22/03/2020 17:51

No judgement from me. I'd have used steristrips too. Really surprised by some of the replies tbh.

Ohnotheinlaws · 22/03/2020 17:53

My son had one similar under his chin the other day, I cleaned it and steri stripped it. Seemed the better alternative to the risk involved with going into the minor injuries waiting room... Well done mum

ShastaBeast · 22/03/2020 17:54

You can treat with bio oil or whatever and there are treatments to minimise scars once healed.

I had visions of accidents while having symptoms, or breaking down in the car (for isolated walk in the country) and needing the AA. It’s going to be a weird time and with new norms to get used to.

ThanosSavedMe · 22/03/2020 17:56

Ooh that looks nasty. In normal times I’d say go and get it checked out. With what you’ve said I think your doing the right thing. Just obviously keep an eye out in case of infection

Btw, your dd sounds fantastic. Great attitude

justchecking1 · 22/03/2020 18:03

I think good call. If you find you can't close it with steristrips you can always reassess.

Moreisnnogedag · 22/03/2020 18:28

The skin there should be relatively mobile, you can see some fat but the fact it didn’t bleed loads is reassuring. Honestly even in normal situations (and for my own children) I’d be a bit reluctant for them to have a GA for that. And if they aren’t having a GA then steristrips are fine, so long as the skin edges are sitting neatly next to each other without a gap she’ll be fine.

Theworldisfullofgs · 22/03/2020 19:29

I think you've done absolutely the right thing.

LargeGinOnTap · 22/03/2020 19:38

I'm surprised by some of the replies. You have seeked the advice of 3 HCPs who have said use steristrips. So yanbu

SnoozyLou · 22/03/2020 20:46

I do judge you. I think you're a good mum. You were just thinking of everyone. I didn't realise your children were showing symptoms.

If 3 professionals told me to do that, I'd do the same. Hope it heals quickly.

MamaGee09 · 22/03/2020 20:51

I wouldn’t go to hospital with that I would Steristrip it!

Be confident in you decision ,