Should I go back to A&E

[donttellmeoff]

I have a very deep laceration on my thigh, it is being stitched by plastics in the morning. Been seen by A&E (hence the referal to plastics!). The cut happened at 1pm and it is still bleeding now.

A&E knew this and dressed it, the blood has seeped through their dressings now and I have added more gauze to the top (they told me to do this). I am worried that it has been bleeding for 12 hours.

If I go back to A&E is there anything they can do? They can't stitch it because it is too deep, I am comfy at home now and reluctant to go to A&E on a Friday night. They seemed pretty casual about it continuing to bleed so maybe I am being paranoid?

Any advice is welcome. I am waiting a call back from NHS direct as well.

You won't get seen by plastics tonight so you are probably best of staying at home.

Are you resting and elevating it?

Yes it is elevated. Only walking when I have to (the loo etc!)

If it is slightly oozing, I would carry on as you are, the stitching won't get sorted tonight so I would stay at home where at least you get cups of tea.

Elevate it if you can, firm pressure on the bleeding area. If it is pouring with blood - back to A and E. You are right to add more pads on top rather than change the dressing, you could disturb any healing/clotted bits by ripping the dressing off.

But if the blood has seeped right through it is no longer a barrier for bacteria etc, so put more clean padding on. An ironed tea towel is very clean/almost sterile as if I iron my teatowels haha

Not pouring! Thank you for the replies, I feel very reassured. The cut is through a vessel so that is why it bled so much at the time and I was just a bit worried. Will keep padding and applying pressure and hopefully plastics will sort me out in the morning.

Does lying flat in bed count as elevation? Should I prop it up with pillows?

Thank you again for your replies.

If you have someone at home with you I would get them to set an alarm and check on your wound every few hours during the night.

If you are by yourself and the bleeding looks like it has stopped I would call a friend and arrange for them to call you in the morning. It is just to be on the safe side in case you become sicker overnight.

The bleeding should stop, but if it continues then you should go back. Even if you don't see the plastics team till the morning at least there is someone to keep and eye on you.

Pillows under thighs when you are lying flat. Walking on it will make it bleed more. How did you do it?

My husband is with me.

I did it myself.

I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have some support for the rest of it?

Try to rest as much as possible. Have you got more you can put on it?

Yes I do, working through things.

Thank you so much for your replies. Bit scared about the whole plastics referral, nice to have some reassurance. Yes I have more gauze and bandages at home, back at the hospital at 9am. Very frustrating after 6 hours at A&E this afternoon to not have this sorted :(