Feel Rotten..

[masma]

I have very thin skin due to steroids, Warfarin and, I guess, age. Last Sunday Coco (dog) scratched my arm and took off two good sized chunks of skin, I bandaged it up (can't use plasters coz they pull my skin off!) and have just been keeping an eye on it, didn't seem worth bothering the doc. The actual wounds seem a bit better but the surrounding skin is red and swollen. Now my question... could this be causing me to feel so rotten tonight? I suffer with arthritis and I'm in agony. Sorry to be a moaner!

[tonyav]

masma, you ought to go to the docs ( especially with how your skin is ), you may have picked up an infection.

[pixie373]

It sounds infected. You might need antibiotics if you can get some.

[kylesmum]

Could be Cellulitis. Is the pain localised? You'd feel generally rotten with that as well.

[jno]

a proper doctor will no doubt be along to give advice; but I'd say just the shock of losing chunks of yourself could well be enough to upset your system, and hurt too

[anneasquith]

awe, im sorry you feel unwell masma, I'm no doctor but I wonder if you should google NHS Choices, ( very helpful site ) and check cellulitis ?

[masma]

Will Google cellulitis but it's the general (joint) pain I'm in that's worrying me. Wounds have scabbed over but skin is red and puffy

[kylesmum]

Cellulitis presents itself like that as the infection is actually in the layers below the skin so you wouldn't normally expect to see a 'wound ' so to speak. Given your present medical conditions I wouldn't hesitate to seek medical advice.

[pixie373]

And being caused by an animal makes infection more likely.

[masma]

I've Googled Cellulitis and I don't think that's it as I don't have a temperature.

[pixie373]

That doesn't rule it out, masma. Is it spreading? Either way, you probably should see a doctor as soon as you can.

[lcg]

redness, soreness and heat around a wound suggest infection. as you are (ahem!) older, already being treated for long-standing health issues and feel crap, i would go to a walk-in centre if there is one near you tomorrow, or a+e if not. do not leave it til monday as time is crucial in getting infections under control. dog and cat wounds are notoriously dirty and need sorting at the time of incident if possible, particularly if you have paper-thin skin. you may also need stitches of some type (butterfly or sutures) to ensure the wound heals properly. if you really can't face any of that, call your out of hours gp tomorrow. but.....get it sorted sooner rather than later - you may end up regretting it if you don't. good luck (i'm a nurse, btw!) x

[lcg]

please, please go and get it sorted in the morning. go early and it sounds like you do have a very genuine reason to seek help.....and don't think you will be wasting anybody's time. this is bread and butter stuff for dr's and nurses! x

[masma]

lcg.. how very dare you to sugest that I'm 'older' and my dog is dirty ha ha .... Will go to the walk-in tomorrow, see what they say.

[masma]

Thanks all will go and get it sorted tomorrow xx

[pixie373]

Good luck xx

[ferlew]

No idea, but bless ya and good luck. x

[DaisyNonna]

Do please go to see your doctor. Not suggesting your dog is dirty but claws do have contact with the pavement or earth.

[masma]

Only joking about ma dawg, she causes me many an injury but it's not her fault bless her, she only has to wag her tail on my leg and I bruise.

[anneasquith]

let us know how you get on masma, how is your dear grandson ?

[masma]

Anne - he is wonderful! Not quite walking, just the odd few steps but heaven help them when he does... He say's a few words - Coco being the main one, Bye bye, Nanna, who'zat, what,zat etc. etc. He really is a treasure. He's found a lovely home with them but buy crikey have they found a fabulous son in him - long may it last.