Assessing Foot Injury: Home Care or Medical Attention?
Earlier today, my 16-year-old daughter accidentally struck her foot against a metal object while I was at work. Now, roughly 12 hours have passed since the incident. The metal piece wasn’t extremely sharp, yet it caused the skin to indent, resulting in a flap of skin remaining within the wound. Although the cut isn’t excessively deep, it certainly goes beyond just the surface layers. She’s been complaining about pain throughout her entire foot since the injury occurred. To provide some relief, I had her soak it in warm water, and at present, I have it bandaged up and treated with polysporin. I’m trying to determine whether this injury warrants a visit to Urgent Care or if it’s something we can manage at home, keeping an eye out for any signs of infection.
Answers (1)
7/17/2025, 12:40:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're being a very caring parent by monitoring your daughter's injury closely. Given the situation—a flap of skin remaining, ongoing pain, and the time that has passed since the injury—specific actions need to be taken to ensure she receives the appropriate care.
Main Points:
- The injury might need medical evaluation, especially since there is a flap of skin and persistent pain.
- Home care can be effective for minor wounds, but this injury could require further attention to prevent complications.
Explanation:
The flap of skin could potentially become a site of infection if not properly managed, and persistent pain may indicate more than just a superficial injury. While soaking the foot and using an antibiotic ointment (like polysporin) are good initial steps, continued pain and the nature of the injury suggest that she should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. This can help in assessing whether the flap needs to be addressed to prevent further issues.
Next Steps:
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Evaluate Symptoms: Keep monitoring for any signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, warmth around the wound, pus, or fever. If any of these develop, seek medical attention immediately.
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Consider an Urgent Care Visit: Since the flap of skin is significant and pain persists, it is advisable to take her to Urgent Care. They can clean the wound, possibly perform a procedure to manage the skin flap appropriately, and ensure there’s no underlying bone injury.
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Pain Management: In the meantime, provide her with over-the-counter pain relief (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as directed on the package to help manage pain until she can be seen by a professional.
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Keep it Clean and Moist: Ensure the bandage remains clean and dry, and avoid submerging the wound in water (such as in baths or pools) until it is properly assessed. You can continue using the polysporin as a preventive measure.
Taking her in for a proper evaluation is the best course of action here to ensure her foot heals properly. Thank you for being attentive to her needs!
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