I have a cut that is infected, question?

E

ejostling

Cathlete
I cut my finger on Saturday. When I woke up today it was swollen up like a bratwurst and I have red streaks down my hand, plus my armpit is sore. I went to the ER at 6:00am and got a tetnus shot and blood drawn, and all kinds of antibiotics. They marked my arm where the red streak stopped and told me to come back if it got any farther down my arm. They told me to see my doctor tomorrow AM for a follow up. The nurse said if I couldn't get in to see my doctor, come back to the ER in the morning to see the same doctor so he could check my progress. So here's my question, if I can see the streak is better, should I go back to the ER? I can't get in to see my doctor until tomorrow at 8:00pm. I really don't want to go back the the ER, it's so depressing. What would you guys do?

Sally
 
Don't fool around with it. See one or the other. This is not a good situation. Hope you feel better soon.
 
Doesn't tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. fut in with 'see your doctor tomorrow morning"?

If the streak is better, I would wait to see the doctor (since it's only one day's wait, and the infection would seem to be lessening). But probably if it's the same (and definitely if it's worse), I would check in at the ER.
 
Kathryn - I think she said she can't see her doctor until 8:30 p.m.

I agree though. If it doesn't seem to be worsening, hold off to see your own doc.
 
The important thing is you see a doctor. I expect they took cultures and there should be a report available by tomarrow. They will want to be sure they gave you the right antibiotic. There is a huge amount of community acquired methicillin Staph aureus (MRSA) out there. If you have a MRSA infection and are taking inappropriate antibiotics, you could run into a real problem. I think waiting until 8pm will be OK.
 
>Kathryn - I think she said she can't see her doctor until
>8:30 p.m.
>

Oops! You're right, I read too quickly. I think that would be soon enough, IF the red line has retreated some.
 
I would do as they say, regardless. It's your health and you don't want anything to happen to you, especially if it's preventable. Give yourself piece of mind, at least my piece of mind.

Let us know how it goes.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible

www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey

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As an ICU nurse, I can honestly say that you went to the ER at the right time initially. Now that you are on antibiotics and the streaking is getting better, you can wait until you see your doc at 8 tonight. That's progress and the more you can make, the better off you'll be.

Just be sure to take the ENTIRE antibiotic prescription!!! That's super important, even if you feel 'okay' and the finger is 'all better'!! Taking the entire prescription helps prevent re-infection as well as helps keep down the possibility of the bacteria to develop resistance to the antibiotics.

If the streaking is worse, then I would go to the ER, especially if your armpit is more sore and swollen.

Good luck!
 
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