infected cut, what can i use on it?

[misdee]

dd got a scratch on her elbow the other day with a slightly larger cut at one end, but overall a small cut. the larger bit appears to have gotton infected and instead of getting smaller as it heals its gotton bigger and looks sore. i cant see any pus, and it isnt weeping at all, so what can i put on it to clean it throughly. i cleaned it initially when it first appears with hot-ish water and cotton wool.

savlon?

Betadine is good. It is antiseptic, antibacterial and anti something else, can't remember what now!

can u tell i dont go in for anti-septics and stuff that often.

tea tree oil?

hot water & salt???

I would def go for something like Betadine or diluted TCP/Detol. Don't use a cream based treatment as they can often make things worse. Wash it well with the antiseptic then keep it dry, with a clean plaster.

If it's bad take her to the doctors, if not ask the chemist. My 4yr old had a slight infection in her finger and we asked for advice at the chemist. To my surprise they said if it was infected then she would need antibiotics from the doc.

thats what i thought. i'll give it a go over the next few days with home treatments, if not improved by friday will get an appointment for her. i feel like such a bad mum.

a basic salt solution, should help, if you are not into chemicals

try not to use them. as the kids have bad skin with eczema i feel they get enough chemicals added to their skin already.

If it's open, soap and water is good (and gentle). I always wash ouches with just that, the bubbles help with getting any dirt out. As it's her elbow you could stick it in warm water in the basin and then lather it gently with your fingers - dry it with tissues and then put a plaster on if it's sore.

If it's sealed shut, you could still stick her elbow in the basin and see if that opens it up?

Smooth over a little magnesium sulphate paste and cover with a little dressing,leave covered for 12 hours then uncover,wash,leave uncovered for 12 hours then repeat until better which usually only takes one application.

Weepy scratches like these respond well to betadine or any iodine based antiseptic. You'd be best off with a spray on one - most chemists sell a spray on iodine, can't remember what its called but it'll be about £3.50 and its in a blue canister. Use it three times a day - shake well first - and it'll be sorted in 1 - 2 days, promise!
If the area gets very hot, swollen or difficult to move, you need to take her to the doctor or NHS walk in centre
HTH

I like Hypercal cream which is one of those natural remedies by either Savlon or Nelsons.

TCP diluted - used this the other day on DD who fell and cut her knee and was left with a nasty graze and its healing well.

I would use the hydrogen peroxide that you get from the chemist that is suitable for cuts and grazes. It doesn't have an odour like TCP, unless you like that smell, and it's v.reasonably priced.

Be careful - infections like this become serious very quickly. I knew a little girl who spent 3 days in hospital due to getting pollen in a small cut on her leg.

When dd2 fell at school, and a few days later I noticed the graze had become raised, with a pink border around the outside, I took her to the sta-doc immediately. Even though the wound was only 1/2 inch across, the doc prescribed a course of antibiotics.

If in doubt I would definitely consult doctor or practice nurse.

well i have got some hydrogen peroxide, which i have dilated equally, and have been dabbing that on. it fizzed up a fair bit. the scab has stopped growing, in fact has broken into 3 seperate scabs now. there is no weeping, but still looks very very sore. its not bothering dd2 at all, excpet when i go near her with the hydrogen peroxide. i have put a small plaster over it to stop it getting rubbed on anything, as its right where she leans on things with her elbows. if its still the same tomorrow, or has gotton worse then we'll go down the gp's. hopefully i wont need to take her.

always keep lavender oil in the medicine chest. its excellent for cuts, grazes and burns and safe to put on undiluted, even on toddlers... providing you dont pour it on! you can always add it to a little warm water and swoosh it round well, then dab it on.

it helps to heal quickly and helps to leave no scars. great for sleep probs too... and insect bites.

My eldest baby also has eczema and is only 18mths, we've been battling on/off for some time so are used to lots of cuts and infections. i try to use natural stuff whenever possible. Try using Aromakids Bettabee to stop bleeding and infection (M actually asks me to put it on for him cos it doesn't sting) and then try Bach Rescue Remedy cream (from Boots and some mail order) to heal for a few days. Has worked wonders on rashes, cuts, inflammations. Don't overuse for too long as it appears to lose effect sometimes. Good substitute for steroid cream when just a cut or small patch!