INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

wenchie working on an answer, There is a perhaps a cheap way to go or a standard. Looking at products

Wenchie. I ended the post re:radiation "burns" by saying that I understood what that RO was saying that a radiation burn is not a thermal burn. But if the wound presents "acts" like a thermal burn treat it like a thermal burn. Your question about the area being very wet is classic to what others have said. Which is what gets me very pissy about how to manage radiation wound care. Never heard a story yet where any guidelines were given.

The very first principle that nursing students learn is "Intact skin is the first line of defense of the body". How we manage skin that is breached, damaged, impacted will affect how healing occurs. (pounding the keys).

There are many numerous products on the market for the care of your wound. They are generally only available by prescription b/c "someone" with knowledge of the presenting wound makes a decision based on observation of the wound which product is best.

Super absorbent materials were first developed for Hazmat type spills i.e oil. Then it was seen that superabsorbent materials had other uses i.e. diapers, menstrual, and wounds. The key for wounds is non-adherent on the surface that touches the wound surface. Reason: if the dressing is adherent, it will pull off newly formed skin. Which is a no no, since the point in healing a wound is to allow skin to regenerate.

Sorry, you are having to deal with this without clear guidelines. Tell your doc, he may appreciate my wound care instructions and I'm flattered, but I think that the RO governing body would serve their patients better by developing a national guideline.

Wenchie went back to your original post. The use of silvadene is tricky in that you have to make a decision as to when to stop. Tomorrow when you do the shower routine. Look in the mirror in the best light. If you can see skin covering an area do not put silvadene on that area. If you see what appears to be open area, put a very thin film of silvadene with a non- adherent dressing. Likely within a few days you should be able to move to a dry sterile dressing.

DS got a burn one time at FSU---------4 hours away Ugh. The school clinic did a great job over maybe 1-2 weeks. But when he got home, first thing was the dressing came off and I washed it. He looked at me so strangely. I said what's the problem. He said they were much more gentle. Poor kid. I was effectively debriding it. The silvadene was negatively impacting the good skin b/c it was outside the burn margin. You can tell that b/c it turns it brown. That skin came off with the debriding. But it was okay. Then the decision of what to do. More silvadene or just a dressing. The decision. In his case, it was now time to move to the next step. No silvadene and a dry sterile non-adherent dressing. Each time you move to a next level of management is a risk. In his case it was the right move. But had it (the wound) shown me something different the next day. The treatment would have been modified.

Wound care is much an art as it is science...........your eyes on it each day are the most important b/c you will see the changes that no else has seen.

eitooh -ooh yttap

Wenchie, the rolled t-shirt is a great idea. Because you were describing wet draining wound. Someone that didn't have access to dry sterile dressings. But access to a washer & dryer could decontaminate dressings by using Clorox in the wash. Clean anything on a wound is better than nothing.

But then I have modified my thought on the whole wound thing. Donnie and I are coming up on 5 years together in May. I have seen him cut hunks of skin off, slices till I think I see bone. Slice 3 inches long on the thumb pad. All the time. Wounds to numerous to mention. He manages these wounds by duct tape or black electrical tape. Thinks I'm crazy when I ask if he used soap and water when they occurred. He heals beautifully. No redness, swelling , or drainage. No infection and he is working in dirt and gruesome bacteria sources. Interesting.

Hahah he should be studied ------------bc of strong immune system---------hasn't had medical insurance, and super rarely gone the medical route

Having multiple near anniversaries, Crani was March 28th, 2012.......... Hired Donnie( we guess around May 1st) The Handy Man who became My man. Another thing I never said, but I like it. The Handy Man who became my Man.. Our May anniversary of 5 years isn't quite here yet. Why the thought?

Dini. Dini came with Donnie in December 2012. Except it wasn't planed. I didn't know much of Dini. There was a freeze predicted for Florida. I then learned that Dini was an outside dog. I wouldn't have that in a freeze. We brought him over. Donnie told me he had fleas.. Worked that with the vet -Capstar----But they didn't tell me it really took 24 hours. After letting him run the house, I realized he was still infested. He went into the garage. Light on with a radiant thingy and blankets. Had to do the whole house thingy. Dini when he came was scary. Seriously, scary.

Dini improved substantially over time. Haha so did Donnie. Donnie needed to learn about animals. Dini needed to learn how to trust, how to sniff and trail, how to be a regular dog.

Dini has been a regular dog for a few years now. It took awhile. He was so afraid of love. Thinking of his reactions tonight...... He no longer has the ticks of a nervous dog i.e. the lick lipping. The aggression is gone by several years. He gets to choose wherever he sleeps. He gets to choose how long he wants to stay outside. Donnie runs both dogs in an area that is free off leash. Sniffing and marking. A dog's dream.

Dini, I brought him in, scared as hell. Now the danger with him is in the wagging. He wags his whole body when he is meeting folks. I warn them to lock their knees b/c he can knock them down. Isn't that just a happy story