First aid question, please!!

I gashed my outer thigh. I shredded it on a huge razor blade thing for the lawn outside.
I've been dressing it since Thursday, but (stop reading if you are queasy!!) it hasn't closed up. It's about 3 inches long, and there is a lot of white. I think it's quite deep.
I really don't want to go to urgent care and was wondering if you had any advice?
Liquid bandage said it shouldn't be used for open wounds so I bought some butterfly bandages?
Good idea or am I asking for an infection??
Thanks!!!!
T

I dont know what liquid bandage is T.
(You know England ) BUT
That sounds as if it needs some attention my friend.
If it isnt healing at all.....The white, what is that? It doesnt sound good.
Did it bleed a lot? If so I guess it is clean, and it will heal over time of course, but I think maybe someone
should take a look at it. If you were here, we would be taking you to A&E.....

When my daughter burned her stomach (hot water bottle exploded right after it was filled).
She refused to go to A&E. When she relented the following day and went to the drs, they told her off.
She was threatened with a skin graft, but in the end, thanks to a lot of silver, she escaped that.

Go....Go now!!!

P

That would needs to be cleaned, rinsed, stitched, tetanus shot (if not recent) and antibiotics. it's infected now.

Get in somewheres ASAP.

Thanks Pen and Marc...I'm being really stubborn.
I don't want to tell my husband as his stress levels are at an all time high with everything that has gone on recently. I just don't want to make him mad. I was the idiot.
I'll call the doctors office tomorrow and see if they want to see me.
If I keep getting dizzy and start to run a fever, I'll go to the Urgent Care straight away.
Thanks,
T

T,

Sorry, but you posted thursday or so? This is an accident, and no reason for your husband to get all fired up. This actually is quite concerning.

Your doc is going to send you to the ER unless he or she really wants to do a clean out and stitches.

Only thing you can do until you can get checked is really clean and rise with paroxide and bandage well. Don't wait any longer than you have to.

Hi Tea,

My hubby was a paramedic for 20 years. I asked him what he thinks and he agrees that you need to go to the urgent care or the ER. He thinks it is too late for stitches, but that it probably needs to be irrigated with antibiotics and cleaned really well. You probably also need a tetnus shot. Sorry. His general rule is if you can see the white stuff, it is the cutaneous fat layer, that you need help right away.

Sorry to agree with news you didn't want.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Mary Anne

Please go get this tended to. It's too serious to treat yourself and unless you have a well stocked nurse or paramedic next door you need to go in and get it cleaned out.

You could end up loosing your whole leg. Is that worth not going? Then you would have to go anyway and the expense would be astronomical. If you haven't gone yet, shame on you. Get someone to take you and go RIGHT NOW!

Hal

Thanks, I went to urgent care this morning. You all owe me 100 "I told you so's"!

The Dr told me that if I had come in Friday he would have been able to put 20 stitches in it, but as it was so deep and bloated (I forgot the word he used), he only put in 4 stitches.
They are quite loosely holding the 2 parts together as he said if he completely covered it I'd get an infection.

Also put on antibiotics 3G day for 10 days.
Wound check in2 days and stitches out in 10!

What fun!!!
T

Really glad you have been though. Saves us all nagging and worrying for another night....
Look after yourself,

Pen

OK, I told you so! Next time, do not wait. Did you get a Tetnus shot? You will most likely have a big scar to remind you not to wait when it is serious. Of course, we hope there is not a next time. Don't forget to tell the Dr. that all of your friends jumped on you about going.

Hal

I'm so glad you went in and got that handled. Infections are very serious so make sure you take you antibiotics and keep it clean. My exBF got a serious infection in the hospital after a surgery and it was very scary. He had to do intravenous anitbiotics for 10 days before it finally cleared up.

So be careful!

I am also glad you went. I was worrying! I hope it heals well!

Alli, I LOVE your new photo. Your son and his wife look amazing.