I scratched my arm

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Lainey64
Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hello.  Well, I already have LE in my arm but have managed to control the swelling with my sleeve and flexi-touch.  So this morning I was doing something really stupid and scratched my arm on the backyard gate.  It's about an inch long and did draw blood.  It's not deep but just enough to hurt.  I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and applied neosporin and covered with a banadage.  So I already have LE but I am concerned about infection.  My therapist told me that these things will happen, but this is the first time I've done anything to this arm so I'm a bit scared.  Did I do the all the right things?  Just because I have LE, I'm pannicked it will become infected.  Help :(

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited August 2013

    I do not have lymphedema but faithfully use hibicleanse to clean any scratch, bug bite etc. I used it every time port was accessed or ps did a fill. My dh had mrsa infection so we have used ever since. It can be found in pharmacies everywhere.



    Lisa

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2013

    Lainey, you done good!SmileUndecided Now just keep an eye on it. You can continue LE self-care to help reduce the swelling that always happens with an injury. Here's a refresher on what to look for:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

    No real reason to assume this is going to lead to cellulitis, and for goodness sake don't beat yourself up for "doing something really stupid." That was just living life.Laughing Let us know how you're doing.

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited August 2013

    My LE is in my chest but both my arms are at risk. I wash with soap& water & cover with neosporin/bandaid. What I've noticed is that my arms are slower to heal. About a week & a half ago, my neighbors dog scratched me on both my arm & a leg. I washed both scratches & covered with neosporin/bandaids. My leg healed much quicker. Both scratches were just enough to draw blood. I'm not sure I'd use rubbing alcohol if soap & water were available. Rubbing alcohol is caustic to open wounds. It's probably harsher than need be & may actually delay healing. Just my 2cents. As for hibiclens, I use it at work in the hospital on intact skin. Would have to look into how it my impact an actual wound. But, Lainey, I do think you did right in cleaning your wound & covering it nwith neosporin/bandaid.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited August 2013

    I would not have used alcohol on am open wound - either peroxide or betadine.



    Each of us have very different bodies in how they react. Personally - in my 3 3/4 yrs of deling with LE, I have no idea of how many scratches I've gotten from gardening, horses, dogs, bunny and surgery on my LE arm with no infections t all. Maybe I'm the only one with my experiences but I seriously doubt it.



    Do not EXPECT the worse but be prepared!

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited August 2013

    Hmmmmmm........I'm coming from a different place. I've never had cellulitus. I'm gleaming information I've learned about wound healing. I've been a RN for 30years. I'm of the belief that rubbing alcohol, betadine, hydrogen peroxide & probably most soaps are harsh on wounds & do more harm than good. You want to restore the integrity of the skin as soon as possible. Intact skin is the best defense against infection.

    I know it's hard to resist overkill & over treatment sometimes. These chemicals tend to delay wound healing. Even if it's by 1 day, that's one day longer with a a break in the skin. Intact skin is better protection than a bandaid/neosporin.

    Since I'm sensitive to adhesives, some bandaids cause sores on me. I've ended up with sores on both sides of the original scrape........more broken skin, more potential infection.

    It's hard to argue with what has worked for some. Just food for thought............

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited August 2013

    Thank you ALL for the very good information.  So far it's not doing anything strange.  I've kept it covered all day but just reapplied some neosporin and a clean bandage.  I will take the advice and discontinue the rubbing alcohol. I haven't worn my compression sleeve all day because I think it would be too painful to pull over the arm.  It's over 100 degrees outside today so with the exception of a quick run to the grocery store, I have stayed inside!  Thanks again ladies. :)

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