Iodine wound dressings (not for the squeamish)

[Eve]

I had a painful boil/abscess come up at the top of one of my legs - near where I had a bad one removed by a surgeon a year and a bit ago - early last week then another couple of very sore raised areas near it and also a weird sore like thing (not like a cut, I guess like a blister without the blister but very red and weepy) 3/4 centimeters away from it.

The abscess has finally drained this morning and I have that and the sore thing covered with plasters to try and stop any infection spreading and them from rubbing on anything as very sore.

The whole area is pretty sore and am feeling very uck with it and I was wondering if you can get those iodine plasters which help things heal quicker in places like Boots/Superdrug or a pharmacy. They have been great before when I've had infected wounds but always had them put on at the doctors/hospital.

If so I will go get some tomorrow.

[boxtops]

Boots might have them behind the counter - or you could use this, under a normal plaster? http://www.savlon.co....antiseptic_spray.html

[Anngel123]

sorry to hear about your troubles. Not sure about the iodine thing, but you might try manuka dressings. They are very good for healing. Or the honey itself is available from supermarkets. http://www.manukahoney.co.uk/howtouse.html
It is quite expensive....

[daffy654]

Boots do sell iodine dressings, most independent chemists will have them too.

[nungate]

I am prone to abcesses too and I use Mepore dressings from Boots, all I do is keep the area clean and apply a fresh dressing. I find that when they are on the very large side (I've had some belters) I need to see my GP for a course of antibiotics. It might be an idea for you to pay yours a visit. I've never heard of these iodine plasters and would be quite interested to learn more.

[rowanwitch]

I'd go to Gp but more to find out why you are getting them...

[ojread2]

I wouldn't use Savalon, hideous stuff and can do more bad than any good it proclaims to do

Keep it dry and as clean as possible, use iodine dressings if you wish but see your GP

[shaneystar2]

I would go to the doctors Jenna .I will say that the Manuka honey is very good It helped to clear an ulcer on my leg .Brilliant stuff but an abcess boil thingy ...hmmm .I think you need some antibiotics rather than messing about with plasters etc .

[Eve]

Thanks all. I'll go have a look tomorrow at what they have. Think I got the Mepore ones after I was discharged from the clinic when one of my gallbladder removal wounds broke down and got infected.

I'm not sure what it is Rowan but will mention it to my GP. It's been ongoing for years and just seem to be prone to infections, both viral and bacterial from ear, eye, throat, chest and kidneys more when I was younger, even whooping cough, and the last few years it's been lots of skin infections (abscesses, wounds, cellulitis etc...), fungal (pityriasis versiculor), UTIs and yeast, even some serious ones I've been hospitalised for, pnuemonia and meningitis like ones and abdominal ones and most recently acute cholecystitis.

I've had some tests, numerous for diabetes and they said the recurrent groin abscesses could be PCOS related as stuff came back on hormonal/thyroid tests. Hidradenitis superativa was mentioned years ago but nothing done.

I wondered more recently with being tested for Lupus and other immune stuff (with arthritis, malar rash and other stuff) but bloods came back ok so thing I'm just a random hive of bacteria and stuff and have a rubbish immune system.

Wish they would find out what it was though. I will mention it to my GP when I next speak to her.

Would be great if I can get those iodine dressings, I had them from the wound clinic after my surger wound got infected and they did a great job, would be good to get some in if they could help clear the abscesses up before they get too nasty.

If I can get them I'll let you know if they help nungate, I always hope they will sort themselves out before they get to the antibiotics stage but get more worried now after the really bad one I had for about 2 months before they sorted it for me in hospital.

I tried that paste stuff once that is meant to draw them out but it was gross and the lid came off it in my bag and it went all over the place, didn't help much either.

[Sqad]

I cannot see that another trip to your GP will help as you have only recently seen him and been fully investigated........the only abnormality being a Vit D deficiency for which you are having treatment.

I wouldn't use any dressings........just keep it clean with soap and water..

[rowanwitch]

magnesium sulphate,,, very good for small infected spots and mucky grazes not for anything bigger

[Eve]

Thanks oj and shaney, you slipped in while I was waffling away (my answers never seem that long when I'm typing haha!).

I was going to pop to the walk in today if it still hadn't burst but then this morning (grossness warning!!!) the whole site became covered with the white stuff (well over a centimeter in diameter, urgh!) then it burst and drained itself so hoping it will calm down. If not and/or the sore thing still hasn't stopped weeping or started to heal I will get to the docs.

[jomifl]

I have found surgical spirit to b very good for skin infections (mostly cuts and abrasions). Any opinion on this Sqad.

[Sqad]

jomifl......fine......it's as good as anything.

[Eve]

Don't worry sqad, I wouldn't be bothering them about all that ago this soon, would only go if I was worrying about it being infected or anything that would need antibiotics or (if it hadn't have burst) if it might have needed sorting. Am rather fed up of doctors (no offence!), well not doctors as such, just medical things in general after recent events.

Magnesium sulfate, that was it, disgusting stuff (especially when coating half your handbag :( ).

Will the dressings hold back the healing? They help to stop it being irritated with where it is (save walking like a cowboy or just staying on the sofa with a leg shoved in the air :)). I always use an antibacterial shower gel like Sanex or Carex or Dettol go a great one though not easy to find.

[bednobs]

i would be inclined to keep them covered jenna. I would also use the spray mentioned before

[jomifl]

Thanks for your prompt reply sqad, actually I use domestic cleaning alcohol as the surgical spirit in France has camphor added to it and costs about 20x as much.

[scrummyyummy]

What about Sudocrem? I know it's used for nappy rash but I've read it's good for healing. Plus, it's cheap!

[Eve]

Ooh I might just have some sudocream somewhere! Surgical spirit sounds stingy (as in sting not tightfisted haha), I have a little antiseptic spray thing (bit of a must for someone like me!).

Mind you my developing headache is taking my mind off it, there's a music festival going on in the park next to me (since yesterday) and it's very loud and boom boom boom and lots of shouting and cheering and my house has started to vibrate and there are mounted police clipclopping round. I might go find some cotton wool to stick in my ears and put subtitles on the TV :)