Thursday, May 7, 2009

The difference between new skin tissue growth and pus?

I posted a question earlier about treating a possibly infected scrape I got from playing rugby. the scrape is on my knee and around 2 inches in diameter. the scrape was originally red, it has now formed a completely white substance over the whole scrape area. I have been cleaning the scrape with Hydrogen peroxide, then using a triple antiseptic cream before bandaging my knee. I am now unsure if I should be trying to clean off the white substance (if it is pus) or leave it to continue re-growing layers of skin (white tissue growth).


The white substance appears to be "sticky" and slightly yellow in places, it is not too painful to touch, and doesnt appear to have an odor, although the smell of the peroxide overwhelms everything.

The difference between new skin tissue growth and pus?
They way you tell if it's infected is if it is red and swollen. Scabs will turn all kinds of colors, but if the surrounding area is raised and red (or if the red is starting to spread further than the scrape) then you have an infection. Don't use the peroxide or cream anymore. You need to let the scab get hard. Just cover it losely. Soon, you can leave all cover off of it. If it gets all red, then you need to see a doctor.
Reply:At t his point, I would clean the wound with soap and water instead of the peroxide, which kills new tissue growth. Leave t he white substance alone, that is new tissue growth. Continue the triple antibiotic for a while longer and the clean dressing daily. As long as it is not really tender, no increased warmth or redness, and there is no foul smelling drainage, you are doing well.
Reply:It sounds as if you are covering this, if that is the case the "white stuff" is the scab, only it is too moist, which can set up for greater risk of infection. leave the area open to air as much as possible. Cover it only to keep dirt off or sticking to clothes. use only 1/2 strength H.peroxide to clean, full strength can damage sensative tissues. How long ago did you do this? antibiotic oinment isn't necessary if this is several days old. just keep it clean, open to air as much as possible and ointment only if it dries out too much to prevent cracking. Signs of infection include redness (alot, gaining intensity) pain at the site, and "dripping" yellowish drainage.

creeping

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