Infection?

[Greedyfly]

I recently got a deep cut and had to go to the hospital (ended up with just steri strips). They dressed it etc.. and told me to keep it covered and not wet until my next appointment which is in just over a week. I have changed the dressing a few times since and cleaned the surrounding area with TCP but have noticed a rather strong smell (sorry guys). It doesn't look infected and isn't red etc. Just painful.

Do you think I have cause for concern? I wonder if the smell is just from the fact that I have to keep it dry and covered so it isn't really being cleaned properly?

Thanks for your advice.

GF

[naomi24]

I'd be suspicious of the smell. Get yourself to A&E.

[Greedyfly]

I am a little concern Naomi but thought it might just be from sweat (gross) as it is dressed 24/7 and not getting washed. Don't want to waste their tim if that'ts all it is. Might ring the GP.

[Peter Pedant]

Go back to A+E
and say you read on the internet summing about gas producing organisms could this be it ?

In this case the lack of redness does NOT mean there can be no infection
)(sorry double negative there)

[BlueToffee]

Return to A & E, or GP, without delay.

[Sqad]

No big deal. If it is not red, swollen or painful and you feel well in yourself,m then not to worry.

[murraymints]

Agree with doc sqad..if it's not angry inflamed or weeping....Just keep it dry and maybe a light lint dressing ?

[jno]

but it is painful, Sqad.

[naomi24]

I don't think you should ignore the smell. Infection smells. Get it checked out.

[Sqad]

jno...a cut usually is.......but pain in isolation is no big deal.

[Sqad]

naomi...you have already said that.....now twice.

[murraymints]

It will be ...which is why the painkillers have been suggested.....go with doc sqad... keep it dry and aired..
Unless it gets red ..inflamed tender to touch weeping etc. Nurse minty .xx

[naomi24]

Sqad, It's the first time I've said infection smells. When you haven’t seen the wound, and in the light of the incidence of hospital acquired infection, which doesn’t necessarily manifest in the way you describe – the one my husband caught didn’t, but it did smell - telling her not to get it checked is irresponsible.

[Sqad]

naomi....fine....you are entitled to your opinion.

[naomi24]

sqad, it's not an opinion - I speak from experience.

[Greedyfly]

Ive been, no infection but given anti biotic ointment to keep it so. Doc did mention the smell was probably break down in skin cells from sweating etc... To keep an eye on it. Was worth going though as they gave me info this time than before in order to care for it. Thanks all.

[naomi24]

Good. :o)

[Peter Pedant]

Pity they didnt swab it -

Clostridia typically smell without signs of redness

and if anyone has had a dog that's been bitten, Pasteurella multocida smells so bad you have to open the window .

[Sqad]

Peter Pedant.......what is there to swab? You swab a discharge and it is the discharge that gives you the smell and in this case, there was no discharge.

Perfectly good medical management.

[Peter Pedant]

He has to take down the dressing and inspect it,
and perhaps even smell/sniff it

and you know... at that time, I would swab the sides - if it smelt -

[ This is a bit like 'do telephones transmit Hep B ?' - I am willing to discuss my results by telephone of course..... ] I have been deeply inhaling the screen and Greedfly's wound's smell is just not coming across....

agreed tmt OK.

[ when I got parvovirus the GP declined to take paired sera on the grounds it wouldnt tell him anything..... ]

[Sqad]

PP...sorry, you have lost me.