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Suggest Treatment For Wound On The Arm Of An Elderly Person

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Posted on Tue, 19 Jul 2016
Question: My 96 year old mom just fell and partially tore a dime size piece of the top laye skin from her arm. I cleansed the wound with a wound care spray that wound care nurses use. I pulled the skin back over the wound and now I am ready to bandage it. The drug store has xeroform dressing that is impregnated with wound care salve. I want to try that brcause I have the impression it will not stick to the wound and because I think it will promote healing.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ok to use, but recheck in 24 hours.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

It is wise that you pulled the skin flap back over the wound. That is an important thing to do in wound care.

Xeroform dressings are usually used for open wounds where there is no skin flap, and for burns. It's also used for slightly infected wounds that are exuding pus.

Xeroform dressing that has petroleum (Vaseline) jelly and bismuth might keep the wound a little too moist, but otherwise it would be fine. You can put the Xeroform on today and recheck it in 24 hours and see how things are doing. If the skin seems to be closing when you recheck it, you can then skip the Xeroform and just use a dry dressing.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Wound On The Arm Of An Elderly Person

Brief Answer: Ok to use, but recheck in 24 hours. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, It is wise that you pulled the skin flap back over the wound. That is an important thing to do in wound care. Xeroform dressings are usually used for open wounds where there is no skin flap, and for burns. It's also used for slightly infected wounds that are exuding pus. Xeroform dressing that has petroleum (Vaseline) jelly and bismuth might keep the wound a little too moist, but otherwise it would be fine. You can put the Xeroform on today and recheck it in 24 hours and see how things are doing. If the skin seems to be closing when you recheck it, you can then skip the Xeroform and just use a dry dressing. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.