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:
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Related Questions
Concerns About Persistent Cough: Is It Cardiac Related?
Greetings everyone, I’m a 20-year-old male weighing 320 pounds, which qualifies as overweight. Having dealt with asthma for the majority of my life—although it’s generally mild—I typically rely on a nebulizer during occasions of typical chest colds. For some context, I came down with a cold around January 9th. Being on a college campus frequently means exposure to a variety of illnesses, and I suspect I contracted bronchitis, given the lasting cough and breathlessness I experienced for a couple of weeks afterward. However, I believed I had fully recuperated and moved on. Recently, since about Monday, I have noticed a return of my breathlessness along with a persistent cough and a sensation of fluid in my chest and throat. I find myself coughing as I attempt to clear my throat. This comes and goes, but it tends to intensify in the mornings right after I wake up and at night when I try to sleep. Additionally, I spend time with friends who smoke on occasion, and I initially thought that secondhand smoke might be a contributing factor. My concern has grown, and I’m unsure what to think. So, I’m reaching out for guidance: could this be residual effects from my cold in January, or should I be concerned that this might indicate a more serious issue related to my heart?
Hernia Diagnosis Without Follow-Up: A Conflicting Situation
A 22-year-old male recently visited the emergency room due to discomfort in his lower abdomen. Upon examination, the medical team was indecisive about whether he was experiencing an oblique muscle problem or a hernia. Surprisingly, they opted against performing a CT scan or ultrasound and did not schedule any follow-up appointments. To the best of my knowledge, hernias typically do not resolve themselves with merely the use of ace bandages or over-the-counter pain medication; surgical intervention is usually necessary for proper treatment. Is there a specific rationale behind their reluctance to pursue further diagnostic testing or surgery?
Experiencing Wheezing During Deep Breaths
Greetings, everyone! I'm seeking your insights on a particular issue I'm facing: I experience a wheezing sound only when inhaling deeply. Interestingly, it's noticeable on one side, and it's audible to others as well. I've never used tobacco or any other substances, nor do I consume alcohol. My weight falls within a healthy range, and I do not have asthma. Additionally, my oxygen levels are normal, and I don’t struggle with breathing; this situation is more of an irritation than a serious problem. I’ve recorded the noise, but I’m unable to share it here; it honestly resembles the sound of a rubber chicken. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions! Thank you in advance!
Unexplained Episodes of Abdominal Discomfort
Age: 28 Gender: Female Weight: 194 lbs Height: 5’7" Current Medications: Vitamin D, Fish Oil, B Complex Vitamins, Birth Control Pills, Vyvanse 30 mg Health Background: Asthma, Eczema, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Since August 2025, I've experienced three occurrences of intense abdominal discomfort that necessitated visits to the emergency room for pain management. These episodes usually strike at night, escalating to unbearable levels within around 30 minutes. None of the sitting positions seem to provide relief, and gastrointestinal medications have proven largely ineffective. Only strong pain relievers seem to alleviate the suffering. After the peak of the pain subsides, my abdomen remains sensitive for more than three days. I can accurately identify the location of the discomfort, which appears to be between the midepigastric area and near the gallbladder. The pain is difficult to articulate, yet it presents as a severe burning and aching sensation. Interestingly, there does not seem to be any specific food intake related to these pain episodes. I underwent an H. Pylori breath test that returned negative results. Additionally, I had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Although the biopsies were also negative for H. Pylori, they did reveal residual liquid in my stomach and a small section of intestinal metaplasia. My complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) results were normal, except for elevated LDL levels, which I’m already aware of. My gastroenterologist has recommended a gastric emptying study (GES) to evaluate the functionality of my stomach. If results indicate no issues, we will then investigate the gallbladder. Are there alternative explanations for my symptoms? Should I be worried about autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis (AMAG)? While I have been diagnosed with GERD, this pain feels distinctly different from the GERD-related discomfort. I am not entirely sure it is gastroparesis, even though I occasionally regurgitate if I eat too quickly; I do not experience nausea or malnutrition. I have researched extensively, and my symptoms align with biliary colic. However, I am anxious about the possibility of gallstones not appearing in the ultrasound. My gastroenterologist is not particularly concerned about the intestinal metaplasia, but being only 28 years old, I find this worrying. As a medical student, these painful episodes significantly hinder my studies and academic progress.
Understanding My Symptoms: A Personal Account
I’m sharing my experiences here, as I haven’t received much feedback elsewhere. I am a 15-year-old female, measuring about 5 feet tall (152 cm) and weighing between 105 and 110 pounds (47-50 kg). I identify as Hispanic and Cuban, and legally fall under the white classification. I reside in Palm Beach County, Florida, and I am a U.S. citizen. I have a diagnosis of Autism and previously had ADD, although that diagnosis has been dropped, which leaves me unsure about my current condition—whether ADHD applies or not. Additionally, I have a past history of anemia, although it is currently not diagnosed. For the past year, I've experienced a range of symptoms that appear intermittently and are often present almost daily. While these symptoms vary, they haven’t subsided. I’ve noticed that both physical activity and caffeine can either trigger or exacerbate these issues. Now, I’d like to detail the symptoms I've been facing. One of my major concerns is my balance; when I stand, I often feel unsteady, and sometimes I even limp. This particular symptom is quite troubling as it occurs frequently. I also experience occasional dizziness and fatigue, which leaves me feeling too weak to move, causing me to remain still for prolonged periods. During episodes of significant fatigue or balance issues, I find myself starting to stutter and I suspect my speech may slur at times. Additionally, my hands sometimes shake, especially when I struggle to walk. There could be other symptoms I haven’t recalled yet, but this is what I remember for now. I will provide updates if I think of anything else, and I welcome any engagement. Furthermore, I’ve noticed irregularities with my heart rate. Initially, when these symptoms began, my resting heart rate dropped from the 80s and 90s to the 50s and 60s; this lower rate has persisted. Lately, however, even simple tasks such as standing, walking short distances, or rocking back and forth (which I do as a self-soothing mechanism) have caused my heart rate to spike to the 100s. These changes are new, while the other symptoms have been consistent for about a year. I genuinely seek guidance or support, as I feel uneasy relying on AI for self-assessment. Unfortunately, I can't afford doctor visits at this time, and my caretaker has shown little concern for my well-being. Therefore, please refrain from suggesting medical consultations. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I’m open to any questions.