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Suggest Treatment For Puncture Wound In Forearm
Question: About 4-5 hours ago I accidentally made a puncture in my forearm with an old antique hat pin. This happened in the garage while going through some beads, etc. to repair vintage necklaces. The puncture was sore immediately and I held some alcohol on it for a few minutes.
After a short time I noticed a bump which got larger and redder by the hour. I then tried peroxide to see if anything would come out--but nothing. Then I put Hydrocortizone cream on it a couple of hours ago, but it continues to get larger.
Wondering if bugs, etc. from the garage may have dropped urine or fecal matter on it.
Is there something else I can try tonight before going to a doctor tomorrow?
After a short time I noticed a bump which got larger and redder by the hour. I then tried peroxide to see if anything would come out--but nothing. Then I put Hydrocortizone cream on it a couple of hours ago, but it continues to get larger.
Wondering if bugs, etc. from the garage may have dropped urine or fecal matter on it.
Is there something else I can try tonight before going to a doctor tomorrow?
Brief Answer:
Sounds like you have punctured a blood vessel, apply pressure.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic.com
I have gone through your question.
From your description, it sounds like you have punctured a blood vessel.
Apply firm pressure on the area for 10 minutes with your other hand.
Keep the wound area clean and dry.
Do not apply steroid creams.
You will need to apply a pressure bandage to prevent further bleeding into the surrounding muscle (Which is why you are having an increasing swelling, in my opinion).
Apply an antibactrial cream over the area.
Please consult your local doctor or visit an ER if the swelling does not stop growing bigger within another half an hour time after following the above instructions.
Please upload a picture of the swelling so that I can get a better idea of the extent of injury and guide you further. (You have the option of uploading the images on the right hand side of this page called "upload reports", use that feature to upload the image).
I hope this answers your query for now, I will guide you further after seeing the image.
Wishing you good health.
Best regards
Sounds like you have punctured a blood vessel, apply pressure.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic.com
I have gone through your question.
From your description, it sounds like you have punctured a blood vessel.
Apply firm pressure on the area for 10 minutes with your other hand.
Keep the wound area clean and dry.
Do not apply steroid creams.
You will need to apply a pressure bandage to prevent further bleeding into the surrounding muscle (Which is why you are having an increasing swelling, in my opinion).
Apply an antibactrial cream over the area.
Please consult your local doctor or visit an ER if the swelling does not stop growing bigger within another half an hour time after following the above instructions.
Please upload a picture of the swelling so that I can get a better idea of the extent of injury and guide you further. (You have the option of uploading the images on the right hand side of this page called "upload reports", use that feature to upload the image).
I hope this answers your query for now, I will guide you further after seeing the image.
Wishing you good health.
Best regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I am not sure if "Hydrocortisone" cream or another cream that I have "Mupirocin" are antibactrial or not. Can you give me a name of one? Maybe I have it somewhere.
The swelling is about the size of a nickel.
The swelling is about the size of a nickel.
Brief Answer:
Nothing serious, apply Mupirocin ointment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for following up promptly, I have seen the images and relax, it doesn't look alarming at all.
You might have injured a small vein in the forearm and that has caused a little bit of oozing of blood into the surrounding subcutaneous tissue.
The injury doesn't seem to be deep.
Apply Mupirocin ointment, it is a very good antibacterial.
Do not apply hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone is a steroid cream.
Keep the area clean and dry.
It will take a few days to heal.
Have a good evening ahead.
Best
Nothing serious, apply Mupirocin ointment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for following up promptly, I have seen the images and relax, it doesn't look alarming at all.
You might have injured a small vein in the forearm and that has caused a little bit of oozing of blood into the surrounding subcutaneous tissue.
The injury doesn't seem to be deep.
Apply Mupirocin ointment, it is a very good antibacterial.
Do not apply hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone is a steroid cream.
Keep the area clean and dry.
It will take a few days to heal.
Have a good evening ahead.
Best
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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