wound care question

[tnaallen]

In another thread I mentioned my son lacerating the end o his finger. It's narly looking; stitches holing it together, swollen, moist, bruised looking. It was fixed yesterday evening (Sunday), and has pretty much been bandaged ever since, except for examination today at the doctor and rewrapping, and again after bath tonight.

What I want to know is, the doctor said to leave it wrapped with Neosporin for a few days, then let it be unwrapped at night to air out after that. However, some of the skin around it is turning white, and it's really moist. Should I let it air out more now rather than waiting another night or two? or does it need to be really moist in the beginning to fight infection? I know we've aired out other wounds, but they weren't nearly this bad. And I remember with my C-section scar they said to keep it dry. I mean, she (the dr.) looked at it closely, so she obviously saw how wet and white it was.

[camperjen]

I would personally wrap it in a bunch of gauze but be sure not to tape the entire thing so it can breathe under the gauze. I am not ever comfortable leaving a wound so wet the skin is white for days on end. Ick. Oh, and use a little neosporin and not tons - that would allow it to dry a bit more, too.

He could also have it wrapped overnight VERY loosely (though covered) to allow it to breathe, and since it's at night it wouldn't bother him too much to have a big, fat finger of wrapping.

I'm completely non-medical (not a doctor, not a nurse), but that is what I would do.

[mamacat]

That sounds like good advice.Would maybe give it some drying out time in between dressing changes too before reapplying the gauze.Will they take the stitches out? Once that has happened can start using honey for healing.There is even honey infused gauze pads you could use now.But they are quite expensive.I have used the honey on a dressing instead of Neosporin

[mom23sons]

The only thing with keeping it wrapped with just guaze is that the moist wound will stick to it and then when you take it off it will most likely pull off good tissue(and cause lots of pain for your little guy. Get non stick (name brand Telfa) pads or bandaids and use just a dot of Neosporin. Doesn't take much. If it does stick use water to moisten it until it comes off easily.