Cut on leg infected

Misty800

Sounds like you have an infection. Are you running a fever? Is the area around the injury hot to touch?

The injury should be cleaned good and an antibiotic applied. If you have fever, you probably need an oral antibiotic.

Misty
Not a medical professional, speaking from experience only.

anonjun06

Thanks Misty.

I've not got a fever (as far as I know, will find a thermometer in a minute). I've got a very bad ear ache, keep getting sharp stabbing pains, though can't see that being in any way connected.

Its smelling a little funny, which is slightly concerning. How urgently should I see a doctor? Would it be ok to wait until Monday when they open, or should I go to see an out of hours doctor?

Amnia

If the bandage was soaked with pus, I would suggest going to an emergency room. they will clean it with normal saline, possibly under pressure to get rid of the sand (debridement), and put a dressing on it. more than likely, even without a fever, you will get a prescription for an antibiotic. If you are not allergic to penicillin, you will probably get a prescription for either Augmentin (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) if you have to only pay a co-pay for medications, or cephalexin (Keflex) if you have to pay full price.

They will also suggest that if you have any pain you can take either acetaminophen (tylenol) or ibuprofen (advil, motrin) which you can get over-the-counter (that means without a prescription you can just buy them). then they will tell you to keep the bandage clean and dry, change the bandage once a day or if it gets wet or dirty (you can ask for bandaging supplies and if the nurse likes you she will give you a bunch and tell you to keep quiet), and follow up with your doctor in 3-5 days.

most often these types of infections are a mixture of staph and strep. there is a very small chance the bacteria can enter the bloodstream (called bacteremia), travel to the heart, and seed the heart valves (this is called endocarditis). usually but not always, bacteria in the bloodstream causes a fever, which is why the person who replied above told you to get an antibiotic if you had a fever.

anonjun06

Thanks Amnia.

I'm actually allergic to most of the things you mentioned above Last time I took Ibruprofen I ended up rushing to hospital thinking I had meningitis (I had the rash, stiff neck, headache etc.). Incidentally they forgot I was there and left me sitting for about an hour before I went back to the reception.

I'm actually in the UK and have phoned NHS Direct who offer advice on this sort of thing, I'm currently waiting for a nurse to phone me back. From experience they'll probably phone back at about 3am.

anonjun06

A nurse has just called me back, and has said that I'll need to get a special dressing on to draw out the puss from the wound, though it can wait until tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the advice.

Amnia

Well, at least it wasn't 3am when the nurse called you

if they decide to clean it (debridement) it may hurt. i wonder if you will wind up with an antibiotic.

good luck!

anonjun06

I've got an appointment this afternoon at 4pm, sounds like I'll probably be given antibiotics.

It actually appears to be getting worse, I'll have to think up some ways to make my mate who ran into the back of me causing me to fall and scrape my knee feel really guilty.

anonjun06

I've been to see the nurse, she said that its not actually infected, and that if it was anything she could give me for it would probably do more harm than good due to my allergies.

I feel like an idiot now for going, though she did say I did the right thing.

Misty800

You definitely did the right thing. Would have hated for you to let a possible infection go to the point of having to amputate your leg!! Something to think about. An ounce of prevention is worth a lot.

Misty