mountain man ([info]m0untain_man) wrote in [info]naturalliving,
@ 2006-03-21 23:58:00
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Entry tags:infection

Infected cut
I have a cut that I think is infected, and I'm getting kind of worried because I can't figure out what to do about it. When I tried googling, all I could find was information about how to prevent cuts from getting infected (good to know, but doesn't help me now!) or "go see your doctor." I emailed my mother and she said she wasn't sure but thought I should put Bacitracin or Neosporin cream on it. I don't have anything like that on hand right now--I can go buy something if I need to, but I would really prefer some kind of natural treatment. If I just leave it alone, will the infection heal on its own? Or is there something I should put on it/do to it? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me...I'm kind of at my wits' end here...


UPDATE: I think it's getting better! It's cooler to the touch now than it was last night, and the area doesn't feel like it's under so much pressure. I made up two different washes for it and have been applying hot compresses, and I've been drinking echinacea tea and getting some extra sleep with my arm elevated. If doesn't continue to significantly improve in the next 18 hours, I'll go see a doctor tomorrow morning. Thanks again for all the suggestions!


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[info]miz_kitty
2006-03-22 05:09 am UTC (link)
Tea tree oil!

Its natures perfect cure. Kills viruses, bacteria, and fungus.

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[info]sarar
2006-03-22 05:11 am UTC (link)
I suggest tea tree also.

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[info]kestrelct
2006-03-22 05:15 am UTC (link)
Tea tree is the best natural antiseptic I know. Lavender is gentler on the skin, if tea tree seems to be irritating it. I hear that lemon and eucalyptus are also antibacterial. You could also check out the memories on immune boosters and start taking a vitamin or tea to help your body fight it.

If you can't clear it up on your own, I strongly recommend going to see a doctor. Infected cuts that go too long can get *really* nasty, and you could wind up with permanent scarring, nerve damage, a systemic infection, or any number of really unpleasant things that may wind up being very expensive. If it gets green and smelly...that's a bad sign.

Good luck!

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[info]miz_kitty
2006-03-22 05:20 am UTC (link)
You can mix tea tree and lavender for an gentler application.

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No Lavender with infection
[info]alexisbean
2006-03-23 09:27 am UTC (link)
Actually lavender heals so quickly and regenerates the skin that if you think there's infections, or a good likelyhood of it you shouldn't use lavender because it could seal it over and the infection could remain under the skin.

If you just have a cut or wound that has a low chance of becoming infected then lavender is an okay choice.

Teatree oil for sure would help...

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[info]m0untain_man
2006-03-22 05:41 am UTC (link)
Thanks for the info--I'll continue keeping a close eye on it. This may be a stupid question, but should I soak the cut in the oil, or leave it on the cut?

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[info]kestrelct
2006-03-22 05:58 am UTC (link)
I would sort of rub it on. If you have jojoba oil, trying mixing them -- I hear that since jojoba is so similar to natural skin oil, it penetrates well, and takes EOs with it. Since the cut is closed up, you'll probably need that for it to help. Or if you're soaking in salt water or whatever else is suggested below, you could try adding some tea tree to the soak, though it's hard to get it to mix well.

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[info]fairnymph
2006-03-22 05:17 am UTC (link)
Is the area around the cut red, swollen, and painful?

I always put vitamin e oil on my cuts, it heals them the most quickly of everything I've tried.

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[info]kestrelct
2006-03-22 05:39 am UTC (link)
How could I forget? I second this. I've used it both on my piercings and in a salve, and it's fantastic for healing.

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[info]snowowl
2006-03-22 05:23 am UTC (link)
How deep is the cut? What about it makes you think it's infected?

Clove is an excellent antiseptic. If you don't have any clove oil, just boil some cloves in a small pot with the lid on for an extended period of time, let it cool, and then use a wash cloth to apply the infusion on your cut.

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[info]m0untain_man
2006-03-22 05:31 am UTC (link)
It's not very deep--I scratched my arm on the head of a protruding nail. I washed it out well right after it happened and kept it bandaged till the skin sealed back up. This all happened about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and I thought it was healing fine until last night when I felt a lot of pressure in that area. It looked like a pimple on the end of the cut, but now it's grown a lot so there's an area with about a 2" radius that's swollen and light pink.

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[info]trainspotgirl
2006-03-22 05:43 am UTC (link)
on a nail? have you had a recent tetnus shot? I know this is natural living and all, so I don't know if you agree with getting shots and all. but seeing how you are having issues with it, I might suggest going to the dr. I've had issues with cuts from metals, so I don't usually take chances.

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[info]m0untain_man
2006-03-22 06:00 am UTC (link)
I think my last tetanus shot was 10 years ago. From googling, it looks like tetanus booster shots are recommended for adults every 10 years. If in a day or two it doesn't look better, I think I will go see a doctor, just to be on the safe side. Thanks!

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[info]fairnymph
2006-03-22 05:44 am UTC (link)
That definitely sounds infected. Since it's been so long since the original injury, I do recommend you see a dr.

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[info]eslee
2006-03-22 07:00 am UTC (link)
Is the wound even open any more? From your description it sounds closed over. If it is infected under healed-over skin, the suggestions here are going to be of limited use. If this is the case, considering how long it's been, I'd check with a doctor just to be safe.

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[info]rainbow
2006-03-22 05:25 am UTC (link)
i would mix some dried calendula and lavender and thyme. boil a cup of water with 1/4 tsp sea salt and put in one tbls of the herbs. let cool til its not burning hot and soak the cut til the water is cool. repeat ever couple hours. be careful with eos they can be irratating if on inflamed skin. raw honey is good to put on after the soak, with a bandage over it.

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[info]khittie
2006-03-22 05:27 am UTC (link)
i agree with tea tree, but honey is also excellent for healing... it draws out infections, kills nasty bascteria, and creates a barrier which keeps the area moist

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[info]ms_cantrell
2006-03-22 05:31 am UTC (link)
you want something very astringent: vinegar, alcohol, mouthwash... anything like that- get that soaked into the cut, whether you need to use a cotton ball or just soak the cut in it for a minute or two. keep it elevated above your heart, and check for warmth. if the area is warm then it's fighting the infection. if it's hot, then it's losing. if the heat/soreness starts spreading along your finger, into your hand, then go the doc/ER; you want to get to the doc before the infection spreads to your arm, but that only usually happens with deeper cuts. you can even mix up a bowl of warmish water and salt, and make it VERY salty. soak your finger in that for a while. i had medic training in the military, but i'm not a tech of any sort. after you've done all or any of that, then i'd put tea tree oil on it if you have it handy, because it does work pretty well, but i've had bad infections come from cuts, and i wouldn't want that to be my only treatment.

drink a lot of water.

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[info]m0untain_man
2006-03-22 05:52 am UTC (link)
Thanks so much for all the info--this is really helpful! I would have never thought to check the temperature. It feels pretty warm now, but I'll soak it tonight and check again in the morning.

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[info]dragonfey
2006-03-22 05:33 am UTC (link)
You can soak it in warm salty water, salt will help to draw out any impurities. Do it daily for a bit and it should heal up just fine.

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[info]trainspotgirl
2006-03-22 05:33 am UTC (link)
don't use hydrogen peroxide. I read an article the other day that suggested that it actually broke down the muscle tissue if the cut was deep enough.

I'd go with tea tree oil like every one has been suggesting.

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[info]m0untain_man
2006-03-22 05:42 am UTC (link)
Eep! That's scary.

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[info]kestrelct
2006-03-22 06:00 am UTC (link)
Yeah, hydrogen peroxide scares me. I know it's antibiotic, but that's because it kills cells. Including yours. This leads to drying out of the skin and promotes scarring. Ditto with rubbing alcohol, by the way.

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[info]meowed
2006-03-22 04:43 pm UTC (link)
I've had some pretty nasty infections clear up by soaking the part in water as hot as I can stand it mixed with epson salt.

My mother said she was a child and had red lines running up her foot from an infection (which means it's in the blood and very serious) but her mother just had her soak her foot several times a day and it cleared the infection out.

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[info]mermaiddrowning
2006-03-22 05:02 pm UTC (link)
Mix, tea tree oil and comfrey ointment and apply a few times a day. I hope it gets better soon!!

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[info]caliginous
2006-03-22 05:21 pm UTC (link)
dilute tea tree oil
lavender oil or tea (tea can be drunk as well as applied topically but don't make it too strong or it'll cause stomach cramps)
red clover (oil or tea, same as directions as lavender, very strong)
thyme (tea or oil)
warm sea salt (or non iodized salt) soaks several times a day (usually 1/4 teaspoon salt ot 1 cup water)
honey
iodine
antibiotic ointments
zinc (might work externally, it's usually an active ingredient in ointments)
vitamin E (internally and externally)
vitamin C (internally)

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[info]m0untain_man
2006-03-22 10:49 pm UTC (link)
Wow--that's a great list. Thanks! Yet another reason to love lavender tea--I already drink it to improve my mood on rough days.

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[info]caliginous
2006-03-22 10:55 pm UTC (link)
It's the only thing other than sea salt I'll use on my piercings, I've found that washing with lavender soap actually keeps them from getting cranky.

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[info]patagucci_thong
2006-03-22 09:09 pm UTC (link)
Hmmm...I've heard that thyme or oregano (wild oregano??) - I can't remember which (though I'm sure a google search would clarify) - is very antimicrobial. Tea tree oil is good also, as are lavender, rosemary and honey, which were already commented on. The saltwater soaks that someone else mentioned are a good idea also.

Wish I was at home where my books are! I swear I've got a head like a sieve most days...

Hope it gets better soon, and if it gets much worse or you notice any funny markings around the site of the infection, get thee to a doctor! ;)

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