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What Causes Pin Prick Wound With A Small Amount Of Blood On It?
Question: This evening I noticed my left arm (upside-near elbow crease) that the aforementioned area was beginning to "swell" "painful" "as if a needle was being jammed into the area. I looked at my entire arm and realized that I must have been scratched, bitten as there is a blood line ; long scratch area and a microscopic "pin prick" type of wound with dried blood" quite frankly I do not know what to make of this! Earlier in the day in was itching; now it is swollen. am I ar risk for blood poisioning. I have had multiple abdominal surgeries,,2posterioer /anterior spinal fusions etc,etc. as,too,I have an Aortic (thoracic) anyeruism decending, and a bicuspid issue I am 66yrs. old, married to Dr. of Dental Surgery. He is at our cabin I am home alone. what would you suggesr?
Brief Answer:
Bug bite or scratch likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Since there is a pin prick wound with a small amount of blood on it, the swelling is likely to be due to a bite or from scratching.
It seems to be a superficial scratch from your description. This is not likely to cause a blood infection, but you need to wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water. You can use a mild pain killer (like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen) if the pain gets difficult to bear. Cold compresses on the area should help bring down the swelling as well.
In case the swelling and/or pain are persistent, or you develop a fever, then do consult your primary physician for a physical examination and blood work.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Bug bite or scratch likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Since there is a pin prick wound with a small amount of blood on it, the swelling is likely to be due to a bite or from scratching.
It seems to be a superficial scratch from your description. This is not likely to cause a blood infection, but you need to wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water. You can use a mild pain killer (like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen) if the pain gets difficult to bear. Cold compresses on the area should help bring down the swelling as well.
In case the swelling and/or pain are persistent, or you develop a fever, then do consult your primary physician for a physical examination and blood work.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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