Simple wound healing....

[Catrin]

Our insurance is really bad this year - so am really resisting going to the doctor for something so simple.

So I have two places on my lower calf - both from chain-ring bites. Basically the first few layers skin was sliced - probably sounds worse than it is. I typically like to leave such wounds open to heal - but they aren't healing and the skin around the wounds are dry. No signs of infection - just no skin growing back over the wound and the scab fell off. Ok, so it had a little help with that but it wasn't much.

IS it better to leave it open at this point? Should I do something different than a band-aid and antibiotic cream? Is this a really silly question? I have pretty much ignored such things over the years, but as it is over two weeks old I am wondering if I should do something different.

[Veronica]

"Wounds heal faster and with less scarring if they are kept slightly moist with with an antibiotic ointment or with a dressing that holds in the body's moisture." p. 39 Backcountry First Aid.

Veronica

[tctrek]

Agree - covering it and using an antibiotic helps it to heal from the inside out. I had a great bandage once for a terrible road rash -- it was one that you kept on for 5-7 days and it made a protective bubble around the would that was moist with antibiotic. I took that bandage off after a week and the healing was amazing. I was trying t find the brand online, but can't locate it.

[sarahspins]

The band-aid/compeed blister pads work really well for me.. I had a blister on my ankle recently from a new pair of ice skates and after dealing with it for a couple of weeks with no improvement, I finally tried those and it healed within 4 or 5 days.

[Jolt]

Yes, moist and covered is the way to go. If a wound gets too dry, it won't heal as well (as you seem to have found out). Maybe you could clean it, apply some Neosporin, and then something like one of those waterproof Nexcare bandaids (if you can find one big enough...otherwise you could use a nonstick pad over the wound, with a Tegaderm over that to keep it in place and protect it).

[Dianyla]

Periodic soaks in very warm saline solution can also help.

[Catrin]

Thanks - I felt kind of silly about such a basic question but nothing seems to be working...and I don't want to risk infection. I also have diabetes (2), and while it is quite mild I want to be more careful about such things. All of my other bike related bites have healed well - and several were worse.

[limewave]

Periodic soaks in very warm saline solution can also help.

I agree with this. I can't believe how much faster my wounds heal when I do a salt and baking soda bath.

[Catrin]

I agree with this. I can't believe how much faster my wounds heal when I do a salt and baking soda bath.

I will do this - while the rate of new wounds to miles on the bike is finally decreasing, I still get at least one new one a week. Perhaps I should just make this part of my weekend routine :o

I could also consider this an incentive to finally moving to clipless pedals - as these days most of the wounds are from the BMX pedals walloping me....

[badger]

a couple of years ago I wiped out when I went over the handlebar when I hit a nasty pothole. The back pack strap rubbed a couple of layers of skin off on my chest under the collarbone. I really didn't want a scar there (and I scar very easily).

I babied it like nothing else with tea tree oil to prevent infection, slathered on pure shea butter, then kept it under sterile gauze until it wasn't scabby anymore (about 10 days). It was much more comfortable without my skin shrinking, and in the end it didn't leave a scar.

[zia]

When I was nursing, I used Lancinot (pure lanolin) often, and have continued using it even though my nursing days are well behind me. I prefer it to using topical antibiotics. Keeps the area nice and more, and apparently helps your cells regenerate faster. I am insanely allergic to goats. I was a little worried lamb products would bother me, but I haven't had a problem.

[malkin]

I'm a big fan of neosporin and then of that green stuff from Burt's Bees.

My granny had some really nasty goop that she smeared on us for just about anything. I know how we said it, but have no idea how it is/was spelled.

[Catrin]

The Neosporin doesn't seem to be working - though it isn't getting worse and there are no signs of infection. I guess I will talk with the pharmacist to see if they know what the bandage is that tctrek mentioned. It has been almost 3 weeks - and it isn't a very large place at all - but all of the skin came off (chain ring bite).

Am starting to think that my chain ring is a vampire...

[Owlie]

Garlic. ;)

[Catrin]

Garlic. ;)

hmmmmmmm, I could hang a tiny clove between the chain ring and the BMX pedal that is always drawing blood ;)

[withm]

The Neosporin doesn't seem to be working - though it isn't getting worse and there are no signs of infection. I guess I will talk with the pharmacist to see if they know what the bandage is that tctrek mentioned. It has been almost 3 weeks - and it isn't a very large place at all - but all of the skin came off (chain ring bite).

Am starting to think that my chain ring is a vampire...

Well without seeing the wound it would be hard for anyone here to make good recommendations. I recently injured my finger resulting in several deep gouges out of it. I used these and they seemed to help a lot.

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=445415&productId=445415&navAction=push&navCount=4&no_new_crumb=true

In general keeping wounds moist makes them heal better/faster with less scarring. Letting them dry out makes for painful scabs, and prone to picking, thus delaying healing. Keep them moist and covered is the better choice.

But as a diabetic, if your wound is already 3 weeks old, and not healing (or just slow to heal due to depth or size of wound?) you should probably consult a medical professional. Do not mess around with this. GO. TO. DR. I know too many people that have lost toes and/or feet due to this.

My experience with pharmacists is that they are very familiar with Rx drugs, but no so current or knowedgeable on OTC offerings. YMMV.

[ny biker]

I was thinking the same thing -- with diabetes involved, the best thing is to consult a doctor.

[Catrin]

Yep, my thoughts have already gone there....thankfully my employer has a clinic in the building where I work for employees and their children. There is a nurse practitioner there - I will pay them a visit Monday morning. Their services are free for those who have insurance through my employer. I forgot about this clinic until just now.

As I said, the wounds in question are quite small, just being stubborn about healing and I suspect this is due to the location - the skin there moves with every movement of the ankle.

[malkin]

Garlic. ;)

Seriously, comfrey is good for a poultice.

[Catrin]

Thankfully it is finally covering over and healing :) NOW if I can just persuade my chain ring to not bite that particular spot again...