Ongoing Wound Concerns After Injury
Patient profile: 12F, height 170 cm, weight 60 kg, with a history of asthma and eczema. Approximately nine months prior, the patient experienced a fall from a bicycle onto a small gravel surface. While wearing leggings, she sustained a skin tear about 1 cm in size on the upper buttock area. The injury initially appeared to be clean, and there were no visible holes in her leggings. The wound was regularly disinfected and covered, although it took a considerable amount of time to heal. The resulting scar consistently looked delicate and thin throughout the recovery process. About four months ago, the wound reopened unexpectedly, without any specific trauma occurring. A visit to the doctor revealed no signs of infection and an ultrasound confirmed the absence of any foreign objects. The wound ultimately healed again. Currently, she is dealing with a superficial abscess that was treated by lancing with a sterilized scalpel, following the application of lidocaine for numbing. Following this procedure, the area was allowed to drain, and Bactroban ointment was applied along with a fresh dressing. There are no symptoms of fever at this time. Should we consult a doctor once more, or would it be adequate to monitor the healing process at home? Additionally, what might be causing the wound to keep reopening?
Answers (1)
6/21/2025, 3:10:48 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like the ongoing issues with the wound healing, along with the recent abscess, are understandably concerning. It's important to address your worries while providing clarity on the situation. Here are the main points to consider:
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Wound Reopening: The repeated reopening of the wound could be due to several factors, including skin tension, the area’s movement, or underlying skin conditions related to eczema.
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Current Abscess: Since you've dealt with an abscess that has been properly lanced, cleaned, and treated, the primary focus is on monitoring the healing process.
Explanation
Given the history of a wound that took a long time to heal and has reopened, the key aspects to consider involve both the intrusiveness of the injury to sensitive skin areas and the role of any existing skin conditions like eczema working against normal healing.
The absence of fever and the proper treatment of the abscess are positive signs. However, it could be important to evaluate why the skin is so delicate, as it may require more specialized care.
Next Steps
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Monitor Healing:
- Keep an eye on the wound for any signs of increased redness, warmth, or discharge. If you notice any of these, it would be wise to consult a doctor.
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Proper Care:
- Continue to clean the area gently with mild soap and water, and ensure it stays dry. Change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes wet.
- Follow any doctor's advice regarding ointments like Bactroban, ensuring the area is well-protected.
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Skin Hydration:
- For the delicate skin, using a fragrance-free moisturizer regularly can help improve the skin barrier, especially considering her history of eczema. This may support better healing and reduce susceptibility to issues in the future.
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Avoid Mobility Stress:
- Try to limit activities that may put tension on the skin in the affected area. Encouraging her to avoid strenuous movements that might stretch the skin could be beneficial.
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Consider Further Consultation:
- If the wound reopens again or healing does not seem to progress, consulting with a dermatologist may be beneficial to explore underlying skin issues or different treatment strategies.
Your ongoing attentiveness to the healing process is commendable. If you have further concerns or the situation changes, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.
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