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If you want to see spot squeezing, popping or videos showing the removal of blackheads - this is the place for you.

Original poster

Do I need an antibiotic?

33 replies

Sweetpea1532 · 30/06/2025 03:24

A week ago, I had my hand in between the dishwasher and the cabinet as I was trying to level the dishwasher. I didnt know the previous had left splintered wood on the cabinet side. As I slid my hand out between the two, I got several splinters in my hand which I pulled out. I also had a wound that was bleeding, but I couldn't see anything in it like a splinter. I cleaned it, put ointment on, and then a bandage. Yesterday, I noticed that a scab had formed on top, but the area around it is red and puffy. It doesn't hurt, so I took the scab off and tried to squeeze exudate out of it without success. I'm in the US where we don't have magnesium sulfate, for some odd reason, but I do have Epsom salts which I can mix in with petroleum jelly.
Do you think it needs to be seen by a general doctor so I can get an antibiotic if need be, or do you think magnesium sulfate will draw out the gunk?
Thank you for your opinion!

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Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 30/06/2025 03:28

Please excuse mistakes.
I can't seem to edit my post...
previous owner

I hope the photos attach in a bit

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Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 30/06/2025 03:31

The photos...

Do I need an antibiotic?
Do I need an antibiotic?
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OneGiddyRubyViewer · 30/06/2025 04:13

Can’t see pics but from your description it sounds infected hence swelling and you likely need antibiotics.

Shitmonger · 30/06/2025 04:14

If you’re in the US I’d just use antibiotic ointment from the store. There’s a wound cleaner that is antiseptic + lidocaine to numb it that is fantastic. I’d use that to scrub it out well and then the antibiotic ointment.

Big fan of all the stuff you lot can just buy without prescriptions, by the way. Grin

Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 30/06/2025 06:26

@Shitmonger Im equally impressed with what you lot can buy that we can't..I wonder what the issue is with Magnesium sulfate ointment over here. Also acyclovir ointment can't be bought without a prescription and even then its $600/ 2 mg tube!
@OneGiddyRubyViewer I am sorry the photos are tak8ng so long! It looks quite puffy and bright red but hasnt changed in size since yesterday. I'll try the antibiotic ointment tonight and if not better by morning I will go see the GP.

Thank you for your help!

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OneGiddyRubyViewer · 30/06/2025 10:09

just seen pics. You defo need antibiotics. Go and see the doctor today.

Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 01/07/2025 09:14

Update: I wasn't able to get to the doctor's office yesterday as I had important health issues with my mum that needed to be dealt with.
As I said, I put magnesium sulfate mixed with the antibiotic ointment on it the night before so when I woke up yesterday, all the redness had dissipated. The puffiness was still there, though. As I further examined the wound, it looked like something was poking out of the hole. Lo and behold, I gave the bottom of the wound a little squeeze and out shot a huge splinter ! Bleurgh!!! 🤢 and yes, I videod it for all to see. I'll try to get the video posted or at least the photos of the extraction. Thanks again all for your help. I will go see the GP if it doesn't clear up immediately!

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Do I need an antibiotic?
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Do I need an antibiotic?
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Do I need an antibiotic?
Do I need an antibiotic?
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Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 01/07/2025 09:29

Ill try to post the video again, but if not, at least I'll post the photos of the huge splinter with my glasses as reference for size.

Do I need an antibiotic?
Do I need an antibiotic?
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Do I need an antibiotic?
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OneGiddyRubyViewer · 01/07/2025 12:05

Sweetpea1532 · 01/07/2025 09:29

Ill try to post the video again, but if not, at least I'll post the photos of the huge splinter with my glasses as reference for size.

Please go to GP

fairislecable · 01/07/2025 12:43

That is a huge splinter, more like a chunk! Hopefully it will heal now.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 01/07/2025 12:46

No wonder it was swollen!

AnneKipankitoo · 01/07/2025 16:48

That was a big splinter. Hopefully it will heal up now.

EnglishRain · 01/07/2025 17:01

Thank you for sharing! Hope it heals well.

Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 01/07/2025 22:31

Thank you all for your replies. The wound is still a bit raised, but not really swollen nor red. I am in the airport heading home so I will go to the GP for sure in the morning if it hasnt gone down as Im concerned it could still get infected since the splinter was so deep and in my hand for a week.🤢

Do I need an antibiotic?
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AnneKipankitoo · 02/07/2025 08:47

It looks a lot better!

user1473878824 · 02/07/2025 22:06

Corrrrr! That was massive!

Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 03/07/2025 22:08

I went to the GP yesterday. She examined it and said it looks very good, and doesn't need antibiotics..she was quite impressed that I was able to remove the splinter myself.😂

Still wish I could get the video to postGrin

Do I need an antibiotic?
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AnneKipankitoo · 04/07/2025 08:16

Looks great now!

Mumdiva99 · 17/07/2025 05:46

Wow that was a massive splinter. I can't believe it wasn't obvious!! It looks so much better now. Thanks for sharing.

myplace · 17/07/2025 05:49

Gosh that looks better. Amazing how the body can heal itself, with a bit of help and encouragement!

merrymelody · 17/07/2025 05:51

You were very brave to eschew the doctor! I would have been terrified.

Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 17/07/2025 07:16

@merrymelody Ive learned from past experience...I'd rather fix myself, if possible.., unless, of course, I need antibiotics.
The new skin is peeling off in layers. I guess it is because the wound was so long.
@Mumdiva99 I know, right? The splinter was parallel to my skin and I have lumpy veins, so I just thought it was a vein.🤪

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myplace · 17/07/2025 08:46

Speaking from a position of no medical knowledge but decades of experience, we seem to rush to ABs for wounds these days. Stuff that we managed at home with a sterilised needle and a stiff upper lip seems to be a ‘straight to the GP’ area now.
Are we less hardy? Have we blitzed the bugs in our homes so effectively that we can’t resist the everyday bacteria like we used to, so are more prone to sepsis?

I speak as someone who had three days in hospital on a drip for a cat bite, mind. I did the whole detol soak, squeeze the wounds, keep it moving stuff but sadly it tracked. It will be straight to GP for that, next time.

However many an infected cuticle or boil has been treated chez AnyPlace with no repercussions.

Original poster
Sweetpea1532 · 19/07/2025 21:39

TRIGGER WARNING FOR GROSS PHOTOS!!!!!,
I agree @myplace! I had a friend who developed MRSA that started from a trip to a gym after doing boxing lessons. She had a small nick on her pinky finger cuticle Where the bacteria entered.

Within hours, the skin on her hand and arm was bursting with bacterial infection. The doctors were not encouraging about her recovery, and that she might even lose her life. Fortunately, it was a University Hospital, and they tried a new experimental treatment that cured the infection. Today, the scars are barely visible. Im going to attach photos because to me they are fascinating as to how dangerous bacterial resistance is!
Trigger warning...gross photos!!!

Edited to clarity...When I saw her photos, I thought the skin grafts on the hand and arm were turning black as they started to slough off ...it wasn't until several years later that I found out this wasn't the case at all...they were actually skin graft donations from a black man!

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Do I need an antibiotic?
OP posts:
myplace · 19/07/2025 21:44

Sweetpea1532 · 19/07/2025 21:39

TRIGGER WARNING FOR GROSS PHOTOS!!!!!,
I agree @myplace! I had a friend who developed MRSA that started from a trip to a gym after doing boxing lessons. She had a small nick on her pinky finger cuticle Where the bacteria entered.

Within hours, the skin on her hand and arm was bursting with bacterial infection. The doctors were not encouraging about her recovery, and that she might even lose her life. Fortunately, it was a University Hospital, and they tried a new experimental treatment that cured the infection. Today, the scars are barely visible. Im going to attach photos because to me they are fascinating as to how dangerous bacterial resistance is!
Trigger warning...gross photos!!!

Edited to clarity...When I saw her photos, I thought the skin grafts on the hand and arm were turning black as they started to slough off ...it wasn't until several years later that I found out this wasn't the case at all...they were actually skin graft donations from a black man!

Edited

😮