Question about infection on a wound

[TheGizmo]

I know this isn't a medical forum or anything like that, but I fell off an indo-board onto the tile in my apartment. It didn't blead or anything at the time, it was kinda like a brush wound on my forehead taking off the first layer of skin. When I woke up the area was bruised and in the center it was white-ish. Is that a sign of infection or is that a sign of a scab forming?

I know its hard to tell without seeing it but I figured I'd inquire real quick to see if anyone knows before I go spend money at a doctor's office for a small brush wound..

I've been cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide once a day then applying neosporin, not sure if I should keep the neosporin on to keep it moist/fight infection or to let it dry and make a scab.

Also wondering if I should put a bandaid over it or not, right now there is nothing covering it.


Thanks

 

[antyler]

I think that may be scabbing. Speaking from personal experiences, i think that the peroxide might cause it to turn the whitish color. I think a tell tale sign of infection is actually redness in the wound.

 

[funkymatt]

rub some dirt on it. neosporin is overrated.

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: antyler
I think that may be scabbing. Speaking from personal experiences, i think that the peroxide might cause it to turn the whitish color. I think a tell tale sign of infection is actually redness in the wound.

its red around the white part but i think that is more of a dark redd-ish purple color resembling bruising.. I guess its hard to explain in words. Would be nice if I had a digital camera.

 

[Mo0o]

It's fine. You'l live.

 

[FoBoT]

there is a health forum


as long as you aren't getting a reddish streaking moving out from the abrasion, you probably don't have blood poisoning

 

[scott916]

Just use the neosporin. Using the hydrogen peroxide is actually detrimental to the healing, and could cause you to have an eventual scar. The HP kills the beneficial white cells and breaks down the fibrous material, hindering scabbing.

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: scott916
Just use the neosporin. Using the hydrogen peroxide is actually detrimental to the healing, and could cause you to have an eventual scar. The HP kills the beneficial white cells and breaks down the fibrous material, hindering scabbing.

Should I use rubbing alcohol instead?

 

[scott916]

Unless its infected, (red, hot, painful) you can use neosporin or just leave it to scab. Neosporin often reduces the chance of scarring if any later on after it heals.

 

[ElFenix]

douse a rag with whiskey or rum. works for sailors.

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
douse a rag with whiskey or rum. works for sailors.

haha sounds like a plan

 

[AmerDoux]

Originally posted by: TheGizmo

Originally posted by: scott916
Just use the neosporin. Using the hydrogen peroxide is actually detrimental to the healing, and could cause you to have an eventual scar. The HP kills the beneficial white cells and breaks down the fibrous material, hindering scabbing.

Should I use rubbing alcohol instead?

Just clean it with soap & water and apply neosporin. Dont pick at it and dont douse it with rubbing alcohol. If the surrounding tissue gets bright red, warm to the touch, painful, begins oozing, or if you are running a temperature then it might be infected. Without any of those symptome, dont worry about it. It will heal on its own.

 

[DrPizza]

From my wife - wound nurse:

Doesn't sound like an infection to her, but if you have any signs of increased redness, swelling, increased drainage, then she'd be concerned. But, for now, just keep it clean & put some antibiotic ointment on it and it should be fine.

 

[FoBoT]

crap, forgot
:camera:'s?

for the nurse to look at, just for medical reasons

 

[irishScott]

Sounds like a friction burn/scrape. These burns typically inflame around the wound and drain (it's the drainage that produces the white/yellowish center of the scab). Just let it scab over and heal. From the sound of it, you've already disinfected it more than enough.

 

[TheGizmo]

thanks everyone from the info I don't think I have an infection.. should I be wearing a bandaid or let it air dry?

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: TheGizmo
thanks everyone from the info I don't think I have an infection.. should I be wearing a bandaid or let it air dry?

I'd let the scab air dry, and then put a bandaid on it to absorb some of the drainage (although this isn't necessary) . The burn will stick to the bandaid, but you can just run it under water when you want to change it. Otherwise you can just let it air air dry/heal. Either will get the job done.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: TheGizmo

Originally posted by: scott916
Just use the neosporin. Using the hydrogen peroxide is actually detrimental to the healing, and could cause you to have an eventual scar. The HP kills the beneficial white cells and breaks down the fibrous material, hindering scabbing.

Should I use rubbing alcohol instead?

No! You have irritated it enough, use soap and water.

 

[TheGizmo]

ok this is going to sound stupid but how should I apply the soap and water? just make a soapy mixture in a bowl and rub it in the wound with my fingers? or maybe use a soaked towel...will tap water be a problem?

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: TheGizmo
ok this is going to sound stupid but how should I apply the soap and water? just make a soapy mixture in a bowl and rub it in the wound with my fingers? or maybe use a soaked towel...will tap water be a problem?

You're really over thinking the problem. Wash it like you'd wash your hands. Rub some soap/water on your hands, smear that on your forehead, and wipe it off with a clean towel.

Tap water won't be a problem, unless your water is polluted or something.

In any case, you were probably OK even without the Neosporin. The human immune system is extremely good at what it does, barring some immuno disease/condition. I never wash/disinfect my cuts unless they're severe (ie: larger than a quarter or really deep). I may run some water over them to clear off excess blood, but beyond that I just let nature run it's course. I've gotten an infection maybe once in my life, and that's when I was 8. All that happened was the area got inflamed and some puss built up. No fever or anything. I popped the puss and it healed perfectly.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You have a tumor and are going to die. can I have your stuff?

 

[Pepsi90919]

BLEAD