Reducing scar tissue?

[roisin]

Two weeks ago I damaged my fingertip quite badly: partial severance, complete break of bone, six stitches, etc.

It's had dressing on (regularly changed) for all this time; but seems to be healing without infection. The nail is in the process of coming off and there is nerve damage, which may or may not heal.

But all the skin is very hard and rough: it's more like heel skin rather than finger.

Is there any ointment or cream I can get over counter, or request at next hospital appointment on Mon, which will help?

I believe vitamin E oil is meant to help healing and minimise scars. I'm not sure if this is true but might be worth asking at the pharmacy or your next appointment. Sounds painful, I hope it heals well for you.

Thank you.

It just feels now as though it could do with a good long soak, but I don't know if that's a wise idea! Counting the hours til fracture clinic appt on Mon morning.

I wouldn't soak it, not sure why but just doesn't sound like the right thing to do. I think the vitamin E oil is something that shouldn't be applied until the wound has healed and the skin is no longer broken.

Had a similar wound after fight with car door, but skin seems just same as ever now it's all healed. Been told after every surgery to bathe wound with salt solution while it heals, yes it can sting a bit, but only needs half teasp of salt in half-litre warm water, twice daily to heal well, but do ask at clinic - yes, I'd give it a soak now.

Or could check with NHS Direct to make sure.

My daughter had surgery to remove the front of her foot last year and there was insufficient skin to close the wound fully, so she has a lot of scar tissue formed there. She sees plastics and an occupational therapist regularly for the scar tissue, so push esp for the OT to be involved. Our routine is twice daily moisturising with E45 cream, let this soak in then a thin layer of Kelocote gel (you can buy over the counter I believe but also available on prescription) which is a silicon gel. Once this has had time to dry into a layer she then has a compression sock to wear that applies gentle pressure to the skin over the front of her foot and helps to keep the scar flat. The pressure sock is custom made for her (via the OT) and seems to make a very big difference her foot. I would have thought they should be able to make for fingers where necessary.