OpenHealth Q&A

It sounds like you had quite an unsettling incident, and it's understandable to be concerned about a painful scrape and bruising, especially around such a sensitive area as your ribcage. Let’s break this down and focus on managing your injury effectively while considering your overall well-being.

Key Points:

1. Monitor the Injury: While minor scrapes can usually heal well at home, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your symptoms to identify any changes or complications.
2. Pain Management and Care: You’re already taking good steps to care for the injury, such as disinfecting and applying ointment, as well as managing pain with ibuprofen.
3. Rest and Recovery: Prioritize rest and gentle movements to avoid aggravating the injury.

Explanation:

Your injury is likely a combination of a scrape and some bruising, which can be common with impacts like yours. The pain with breathing might indicate irritation to the surrounding tissue or muscles. Since you mentioned the pain increases with breathing, it's advisable to closely observe any symptoms that might worsen or don't improve, such as increased pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling.

Next Steps:

1. Continue Home Care:

   • Ice the Area: Apply your makeshift ice pack (frozen water bottle) wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes every hour, as needed, especially within the first 48 hours.
   • Keep It Clean: Ensure that the scraped area remains clean. Avoid any soaps or lotions that might irritate it.
   • Manage Pain: Continue taking ibuprofen as needed, following the dosing instructions on the package for both pain relief and to reduce inflammation.

2. Watch for Symptoms:

   • Keep an eye out for increased pain, swelling, redness, or discharge from the scrape, and monitor your breathing. If you experience any severe or worsening symptoms, it might be advisable to seek medical attention.

3. Rest: Try to avoid strenuous activities that could stress your ribs. Position yourself comfortably while resting; if lying down bothers you, prop yourself up with pillows to relieve pressure and manage pain.

4. Elevate if Possible: While it may be tricky to elevate the injury if you feel pain, when lying down, try to adjust your position so your torso is slightly elevated.

5. Follow-Up if Needed: If discomfort persists beyond a few days or concerns increase, consider reaching out for further evaluation, especially given your history of epilepsy and current medication.

Reassurance:

You are taking the right steps to manage your injury properly, and with care, most scrapes and bruises heal well. Remember to be gentle with yourself during the healing process. Please feel free to reach out again if you have any other concerns or need additional support.