Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Jirel

(1,989 posts)
9. From someone who works with sharp and stabby wild animals regularly...
Tue Oct 20, 2020, 04:37 PM
Oct 2020

You an avoid that kind of nasty infection by NOT using bacitracin! When you apply a topical, you seal the holes but you do nothing about the infection inside, causing a second problem - the infection in the wound multiplies with nowhere to go either now, and you get even more swelling and no way to reach that infection!

There are several different products you can use to actually deep-flush a wound like that - we use Xenodyne. It hurts like mad, but you don't get an infection. Since you aren't trained human or veterinary medical personnel, it's not something that you'd likely do correctly yourself the first time or two, so the smartest thing to do is wash very well then hit your local ER or urgent care, and have someone there do it right away before the bite has a chance to close up and the bacteria from the bite has a chance to go nuts in that tightly enclosed space. Bites in general (including human!) carry a ton of nasty bacteria down deep. Any deep puncture like that needs special care, or you wind up on IV antibiotics or other nasties.

I'm sorry you had a really nasty experience, and that people in ER were irresponsible. I hope you get better quickly!

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»In the past 48 hours I've...»Reply #9