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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4023
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 5:40 pm: | 
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Through my own stupidity, I suffered I small, minor scald burn on my face. As a result of initially trying to cover it up with make-up, and not really taking care as I should have, it has become infected. Visited Summit Medical Group Urgent Care yesterday morning (because when the heck can I get to my own doctor during the week) and they gave me some heavy duty antibiotics to take orally for the next 7 days. They advised I keep it clean with water and apply antibiotic ointment.
Now the gross part: for the last 24 hours or so, the red, blotchy, swollen area of my face has been oozing puss! Every couple hours I hold a warm wet cloth to the area, removing the dry crusty puss, and reapply antibiotic ointment. Just a little while ago the area was literally weeping puss. To the point where is was running in a little rivulet down my cheek! Gross, I know. And I'm sorry. But that's O.K. right? I shouldn't be worried? It's just the normal course of events?
Sorry again. But I did warn you.
Sure am wishin' I could wear a paper bag over my head when I'm out and about in the bright sunshine! |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 2058
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 5:44 pm: |
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Don't you think this is the kind of question you should be asking of a doctor or of the Urgent Care practice which attended to you? |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4025
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 6:00 pm: |
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If it doesn't stop soon, I certainly will. Just thought maybe someone here would have some medical background or knowledge I don't. I'm sure it's perfectly normal, but was looking for some educated/informed reassurance. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8113
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 6:08 pm: |
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Was it open when you went to Urgent Care? Or just red & ugly?
If it has gotten markedly worse, I'd go to the ER. Don't screw around in case it's staph. Stay away from your kids, wash your hands, do not make them food, sanitize anything you are wearing, linens you touch to your face, etc. Get anything that you wiped your face with out of the house.
TS had a staph infection on her face that started in an injection site. She still has a scar from it. But, luckily, she got the infection under control pretty quickly.
Sorry. Better safe than sorry. Especially since you have young kids. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4026
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 6:21 pm: |
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O.K. now I'm scared.
It actually looks better today than it did yesterday, it's just the discharge. I think I'll try to call now. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1247
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 6:51 pm: |
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Have it checked out MATB, better safe than sorry, but maybe in the meantime try a warm compress of salt water... if nothing else, it will keep it clean.
If you need anything let me know.
SOP
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Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3652
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 7:15 pm: |
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Don't forget to take pictures and post them.... |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1585
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 7:35 pm: |
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let us know how you are too - yikes
after it heals more & is just red, I'd try vitamin E oil & keep it protected from sun (as you probably do anyway) & maybe that Mederma stuff (scar treatment) |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 434
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 7:38 pm: |
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MeAndBooboo,
Does it hurt, and is it hot to the touch? By all means check it out, but the "weeping" is probably just the infection-fighting white blood cells.
Here, I'll kiss it and make it better
Calli |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 534
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 8:32 pm: |
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I know two people who had burns who were happy with the care they received at St. B's burn center. It's not just for life and death stuff - they just know exactly what burns should look like at various stages and the best way to treat. I'd give them a call. After a cooking accident, my father-in-law went for a couple of visits to change his dressing and was in and out in a few minutes. I wouldn't mess around with your face. He burned his face and neck and you would never know. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4027
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 8:36 pm: |
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Thanks all for your kind words.
This is for Monster:
Weeping Pustules of Doom!
You know what they say, be careful what you wish for. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1587
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 8:38 pm: |
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Oh - that's not nearly as disgusting as I was picturing |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1132
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 9:06 pm: |
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Would you describe the pus as honey crusted? You may have impetigo. And yes, that is a Staph infection.
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00464.html
I know you are an adult, but with it being so contagious and your "and the boys" moniker, it's a reasonable theory. Didn't the Doctors at SMG give you a diagnosis?
J.B.
Don't ask me why I know this. I have my reasons for searching honey and crusted on Yahoo. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8115
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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I'm kind of disappointed by the pic. Not at all what I'd hoped, I mean, thought. It does look like it hurts, tho. Let us know what you find out.
BTW - I can personally vouch for the St. B's Burn Center. Feel better. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3657
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 9:51 pm: |
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I was really expecting big open running sores, shucks, err I mean, umm, doesn't look that bad to me, but I'm not a doctor and don't play one on tv.
Thanks for the pic. |
emmie
Supporter
Username: Emmie
Post Number: 760
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 10:10 pm: |
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It takes about 48 to 72 hours for the antibiotics to actually kick in, so you will hopefully see the results soon. I would say that you should call your health care provder for a little reassurance. Did they actually tell you to put warm soaks on it? If so, do not use the same the same cloth, use a brand new clean one each time, as the previous cloth will be contaminated. Good luck, let us know how you are doing. Don't forget to take some Acidophilus to curtail the side effects of the antibiotics, ie: yeast infection,ask your pharmacist about doseage. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4028
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 10:35 pm: |
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If it's not much better tomorrow, I'll make a phone call. I'm supposed to follow up with my primary care doctor anyway. Honey crusted sounds about right (kind of like a cereal my kids might like)!
And for those of you who were disappointed, it really looks much more yucky in person. Plus, I'm thinking you missed the giant drop of yellow puss accumulating at the bottom of the red patch. And remember, this is my face. Not like there's much I can do to hide it while it's healing. |
emmie
Supporter
Username: Emmie
Post Number: 763
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:22 pm: |
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MATB. I thought I gave you some good advice, I am a nurse, btw, how the heck did you do that? Did you read my post above yours? I once had 2nd degree burns on my entire face, and the wounds were draining as well. Trust me, with the right treatment, you will be fine. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:35 pm: |
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It's impetigo.j You will heal promptly and live a long and fruitful life.jj
Dr. J.B. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 57
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 3:35 am: |
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Hi MEandtheboys.
Sorry to read that your face is hurting. Looks like an OUCH!
The advice about keeping it clean with salt water soaks is right on.
Did you get a Rx for silvadine? It is specifically made for burns, or at least it used to be. Helps them feel better fast and heals them very well. Better than nothing, or even neosporin.
The antibiotics should be working by now. In fact, the stuff running down your face can be a sign that it is closing in, localizing, so to speak, rather than spreading.
SBMC burn unit is excellent, as is seeing urgent care medical staff. Just keep having it checked, stay OUT of the sun, and keep taking the antibiotics as Rx'd.
and keep it clean! It is well worth the price of some sterile 4x4s to clean it with,then discard immediately. Use a fresh one each time you need to touch the area for any reason, to absorb the drainage, clean it, etc. Use bleach to launder any towels or face cloths you use. The drainage should slow down and it should dry up quite a bit, and soon.
If it continues to weep pus even another day, please go to the ER or Urgent Care and have it examined once again, and this time have a culture/sensitivity taken.
I hope you feel better soon!
Jersey girl
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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4032
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:33 am: |
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Thanks all for your posts and P/L's with helpful advice and good thoughts. Am taking care of it as per instructions from the Physician Assistant at SMG Urgent Care. Really, the actual burn was much, much smaller and relatively minor. But the infection has spread, so now I think we're really treating the infection more than the burn. The oozing seems to have slowed today. I made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow.
Here's hoping I'm not spreading some deadly infection to every person I come in contact with.
Trying not to touch it. If I do, I wash my hands, obsessively. When I clean it I use a paper towel and warm water and throw it away when I'm done. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1529
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
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Can I ask how you managed to scald your face? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14771
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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I think we should all stay away from this thread, so we don't catch whatever it is from herandtheboys.
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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4033
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:38 am: |
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Eliz, you can ask, but I'm too embarrassed to say here!
Tom,  ! |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1530
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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You're so tired from not sleeping that you fell asleep on the stove?
You took a double dose of Ambien and fell asleep in your soup? |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1270
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
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No no no, MATB was trying to save money for her home improvements and attempted to give herself a steam facial over the boiling kettle....
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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6336
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:56 am: |
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Wendy,
Please don't go and have a face transplant like that woman in France. We like you the way you are.
 |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8127
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
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Back in the 70s, when she would have been in her 30s, before alpha-hydroxy, botox and retinal, my mom had a little toy iron. They still made them out of steel in those days.
She also had a big block of wax. The kind meant for canning.
She would melt that wax, stick the iron in it and.....
iron her face.
You didn't do that. Did you?
BTW - paper towel - ouch! That may be irritating what's left of the delicate facial tissue hiding under the puss. And not very sterile. Spring for the 4x4 dressing and use that!
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5412
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:03 pm: |
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It looks just as bad as my leg did a couple months ago. Get yourself to the ER NOW!!! You could end up with a deadly infection. You also don't want to end up with a nasty scar. Go to St Barnabas! They are experts in treating burns. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4034
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:04 pm: |
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Nope, didn't iron my face (WTF)!
I figured I don't have enough going on in my life, so I scalded my face on purpose so I could worry about a deadly staph infection and drag my kids to an afternoon doctor's appointment in Jersey City, where I generally wait at least an hour in a pretty small waiting room, just because I thought it would be more fun than spending the afternoon at the pool?
And like Soparents said, I'm trying to save my pennies for home improvements, so the paper towels are about all I can afford. Besides I just use it as a compress.
FYI, am sleeping somewhat better and am off all sleep aids as they were doing virtually nothing to help me and, in fact, may have been making it worse! At this point I'm thinking horse tranquilizers would really be the thing! |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4035
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:07 pm: |
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Also, I know for a fact the St. B's burn center is not covered by my insurance because when the baby was burned and treated by them in the E.R. there, our insurance wouldn't pay for follow-up care with them. I will speak to my doctor about whether he thinks I should see a plastic surgeon (which is where we took the baby) just to be sure there's no scarring. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 587
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:09 pm: |
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Get better!!! |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5418
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 12:33 am: |
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I hope you're feeling better... |
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