My son, 21, scraped his hip on Sunday. He called last night so say he has a wound that won't close and heal plus it is oozing puss that is yellowish-green. The scrape wasn't deep and is about 3 by 4 inches. Scraped it on turf. He is interning 6 hours away and I'm not sure what to do. I imagine he will go to an urgent care today, but what does he tell the doctor about antibiotic use? I'm concerned that this is a bad sign. Does it just take a while for the immune system to jump back in and do the work it is supposed to do? He was treated for 3 years by an ILADS doctor and has slowly peeled back abx, malarone, plaquenil etc this spring. He is only on valtrex and has been symptom free for 6 months. He is taking supplements. I have a call into the doc. Any advice?
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
I don't understand the question. He is not now on antibiotics, so what is there to tell anyone? Far as I can see, this has nothing to do with lyme.
But it does sound nasty and he needs to jump on this ASAP! Really, he should take this very seriously and so should whoever he goes to see for it. If they don't, find someone better and soon.
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
So sorry your son has this nasty wound. I sent you some suggestions to use tea tree oil which might help.
If you can, also have him take Olive Leaf Extract - it's a natural antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal herb.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Hi Kari,
Sorry to hear about your son's scape. He should be washing it with soap and water twice daily, applying OTC polysporin, and keeping it bandaged. Going to urgent care may be indicated, too.
However, topical antibiotics such as polysporin seem to be of more value in this instance than oral antibiotics, unless of course, he has red streaks going up his thigh, then he needs immediate attention and oral abx.
Good luck. (Send me a pm when you can)
Posted by Samlyme (Member # 43732) on :
I'm not sure if I have the coinfection Ehrlichia. I'm new to all this, so far just positive for Lyme, but I do have low platelets, which can be caused by the coinfection Ehrlichia along with other low blood counts.
When my platelets first dropped one of the first things I noticed was that a cat scratch on my leg did not heal for at least five months.
I was also bruising more easily off and on, and would occasionally see petechia. The petechia would appear as small clusters of a light dusting of red dots on my arm and shoulders. Looks like little pin pricks of blood that only stay a week to a few days. Oh and bleeding gums.
The test for low blood counts is pretty basic and I'm sure the Dr. will run it as normal procedure. It's called a CBC or complete blood count test.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
A turf wound can pick up all kinds of "nasties" .. so he probably has an infection that antibiotics would help.
Don't hesitate to get it taken care of.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Kari, it's best if he goes to a Wound Center at a local hospital. This has nothing to do with Lyme. If they ask history, he should be truthful.
Wounds are just wounds. I wouldn't take it as a sign of anything. Some people heal more quickly than others. Your son, most likely will heal soon b/c of his young age.
A wound center will assess the wound and recommend what is needed in order for it to heal. Usually, you have to have follow-up visits each week or bi-weekly.
They might prescribe an ointment or MediHoney (manuka honey) that he has to apply topically and cover with a dressing.
I would strongly urge that he follow the advice of the medical professionals at the local Wound Center. They've seen all types of wounds and know what they're talking about.
If your son's wound is infected, he will be prescribed oral abx.
I think it's great that we now have Wound Centers in our hospitals. I (unfortunately) have experience with my local Wound Center (klutz much?)
These people know what they're doing -- having seen minor wounds (like mine) to major wounds.
I hope your son heals quickly! Good luck!
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
I agree about the advice to treat it as if it has nothing to do with lyme.
However, I would point out, some chronic conditions, including lyme disease, do leave the body in a state where it heals very slowly. So, it could be related in that way. If it is related in that way, all it means is there may be reason to seek additional help with the wound, if it poses a potential problem. However, as always, be careful with steroids!
Posted by tick battler (Member # 21113) on :
Topical MMS would probably work very well if you can't find abx to do it.