Cut Myself.....Help

duckyb1

Ok, hopefully Binney sees this and responds.................just cut myself on a sharp knife on my thumb on the LE arm......................used acohol, and an anti-biotic ointment...........is there anything else I should do..................if not what should I watch for..............I am so pissed at myself since I am so careful................I went to put a frying pan I had just washed on the dish rack, and there was a knife sitting, "blade up", and I hit my thumb on it while laying the pan down on the rack.........................I am so pissed at myself.......................help ladies

pastalover

Hi,

  I am a bleeder... put firm pressure with two fingers over cut and hold for ten minutes.  Keep doing that till bleeding stops.  Works most of the time.  What out for infections ( redness, swelling).

duckyb1

I am also a bleeder.........I have Factor 7, but I stopped the bleeding.........I am concerned about the cut being on my Lymphedema side which is my right arm, and the cut is on my right thumb.

Binney4

Ducky, bummer! But all is not lost. Yes, stop the bleeding first But after that, wash it well (soap and warm water) dry carefully with something clean or a fresh paper towel, use some topical antibiotic, and cover it lightly with a bandaid. If you're using a compression glove, just put it on carefully so you don't pull the bandaid off.

You may (or may not) have some new swelling from it, so do some extra, gentle MLD, elevate, stay really well hydrated, and remember the deep breathing. 

Here's information about what to look for in terms of possible cellulitis:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm
But for goodness sake don't assume you're going to have any trouble -- chances are good it'll cause you no grief at all.

Keep us posted, though -- you know what a bunch of mother hens we all are here.

Be well!
Binney

Binney4

Oh, and don't beat yourself up, Duckie -- life happens, even with LE!
Binney

BeckySharp

I am sorry about the cut Ducky.  But as Binney says don't worry about it unless there is something to worry about.  I am sure it will or has happened to all of us.  Do keep us posted!  Becky

FireKracker

Ducky-----where is the vodka!!!!!!!!!ya need it now!!!!!!!feel betta sista and listen to Binney DONT BEAT YOURSELF UP.huggggggggs K

pastalover

Hi Again,

  I'm sorry to hear your a bleeder as well.  I did cut my finger deep in June and made the mistake of waiting til the next day to get stitches.  Bad idea!  If your a bleeder and need stitches ,go to ER right away.  I had complications from waiting and we also need to be on antibiotics because us bleeders are prone to infections, as well as your Lymphedema to add to your problem .

duckyb1

thanks, Bin, Granny Becky, Pasta................I was just annoyed with myself that I did something so stupid....leaving the sharp side of a chef knife (Cutco) at that................laying unseen in the drying tray...........It seems ok, just one more pain in the ass dumb thing I am so good at doing............will keep you posted, but I'm sure it will as my mother would say "all come out in the wash"............................thanks again ladies

Suzybelle

Ducky - glad you are okay.  So sorry about the cut!

I come from a long line of accident-prone women.  I carry antibiotic ointment with me at all times as well as alcohol wipes.  I cut myself, scratch myself, bruise, etc.  And half the time it's on my LE arm.  It seems that as long as I'm diligent about washing it and slapping on some antibiotic ointment, I do fine.

I wear gloves when I garden, but the roses still get me...and I've only gotten cellulits once in nearly two years.  Hang in there!!!!!  I refuse to quit living life because of stupid LE.

duckyb1

Suzy...................everything seems ok..............the cut isn't even hurting, and normally when Iget cut, it gets so sore, and sometimes very inflamed...........but yes, I too am clumsy.......my biggie is falling...........my daughters always say............."Mom you are gonna be the death of us yet".......but truely I am clumsy.........probably have to remember I'm 76, not16..........I said to my daughter the other day when we were walking up a hill to my grandaughters "halloween parade" at her school................my daughter lookled at me, put her arm out and said  "ok, lady, grab a wing, and hang on"............made me feel loved.................while we were standing there waiting for the parade to begin, I started shifting from one foot to the other, and she looked at me, and I said to her, almost apologetic............The mind says I'm 20, but the body says, "no your 76"............she smiled, and said "I know Mom.......somedays I feel the same way ....she is 42. and possibly has fibromialgia...........hard to diagnose.............