cin Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 neighborhood kids were going down a slide yesterday into a mud puddle. DD hit something with her foot and had a nice slice. We washed it out thoroughly, used peroxide and neosporin and badaged it. This morning, the outside skin was 'healed' but it was puffy and red, and there was a little bit of a red streak from the wound itself.. We opened it >gag shudder< trimmed away some skin, squirted peroxide into it (somehow, MORE dirt came out) and liberally applied neosporin to it and bandaged it up. We marked where the red streak ended with a sharpie so we'd know if it got worse. I googled blood poisoning, and found NOTHING about red streaks. I always thought that red streaks from the wound were a sign of trouble. Please Advise!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 It sounds like it's infected. I'd keep a very close eye, and if the streak gets bigger or she gets a fever, I'd have it seen today. If the streak stays the same, and she feels ok, I'd take her to the ped Monday morning. If the streak goes away now that you've cleaned it out, I'd wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 When was your dd's last tetanus shot? I'd probably make an appointment tomorrow to have it looked at and a tetanus booster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I've always heard red streak = infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I agree w/ the previous two posters. Red streaks can definitely indicate trouble. (Sounds similar to a situation I was in as a kid; I ended up w/ multiple red streaks & my foot became so tender I couldn't walk on it easily. I apparently was close to having blood poisoning....) Definitely make sure tetnus boosters are up to date.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) Oops, double post... Edited July 17, 2011 by chepyl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Keep cleaning it and putting neosporin on it. The red streaks are bad, but if you keep cleaning it, they will probably go away. I had a friend in high school who got infected blisters during our dance recital (from new point shoes) they poured provide over the blisters and gave them time dry up, then put neosporin on them and the streaks went away after a day or so. They were halfway up her leg. Don't forget to give the wound some time to dry! If it stays moist and wet in a band-aid all the time, it is a perfect environment for more bacteria. Clean it well, let it air dry in a clean place, and then bandage it. I also think you are supposed to keep it below heart level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I would go to the doctor *now*. I know someone who *recently* had a couple of toes amputated after ignoring something similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 My mother was hospitalized when I was a kid after getting red streaks. I'm with Mrs Mungo. This is urgent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabeline Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I've always heard red streak = infection. :iagree::iagree: I have always heard that peroxide will also kill any healing flesh too, so it is not to be used after the first cleansing. I would take her in today. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 No personal experience with that, but I'm in the middle of reading a book about a primatologist who had something similar- an injury with red streaks. She ended up with blood poisoning and nearly died. It's not something I would fool around with. Take her in today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Red streaks are generally a sign of infection, so I would go today to your local urgent care center to get an exam & antibiotics if warranted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I'm another vote for having it seen today. My dad was prone to blood poisoning. He'd nick a knuckle on something fixing a computer or car and have a streak running up his arm. It was always treated as extremely urgent, as in come now and we'll see you as soon as you get here even though our schedule is booked full. (This was before the days everything urgent was sent to the ER.) He was always given antibiotics to take for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Per an ER doctor when dh took his aunt to the ER several years ago, red streaks indicate blood poisoning. His aunt was in the hospital for 2 days on IV antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Yep, a red streak is bad. I was fast tracked in the ER with a red streak. Rec'd a tetnus booster, an antibiotic shot and a script for oral meds. He said if it had been a few hours later it would have been enough to require hospitalization. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 When my dd had a red streak from a puncture wound, the on-call pediatrician told us to go to the ER rather than wait until morning. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Yep, I'm not a big antibiotic fan but I'm going to guess they'll want her on some form of antibiotic ASAP. They may even want to do it via injection or IV to get it in her faster. I would probably head into urgent care/ER or at the very least call your regular physician. Neosporin and such may be helpful, but it could be a drug-resistant strain, etc. Staph can get bad very quickly, for ex. YOu don't want to mess w/ a risk of sepsis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majikmommie Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I would definitely take her to the emergency room. Something similar happened to my dd when she was younger. She was hospitalized for 3 or 4 days with IV antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I'd try applying a tea tree oil type of product to it, too. It can soak in through the skin to affect healing. We use a Derma E product (Tea Tree and Vitamin E), but any tea tree type product should work for you. Neosporin doesn't always get rid of infections nowdays.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Another vote for go in NOW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 We are pretty natural/ let things be, and I'd go in and get that seen right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I would soak it in very warm water and epsom salts after marking the red streak with a sharpie. If the streak started to recede I would continue to soak it regularly and keep it loosely bandaged in between soakings. If the streak progressed more than 1/4 inch I would take her in to have it looked at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Once Again Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 My brother had similar symptoms. A trip to the doctor and some heavy duty antibiotics were required. Don't wait. Too many bad complications are possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetbasil Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Just an FYI - if tetanus is a concern, a tetanus booster won't do anything unless the child recently received the DTaP (I think within the last 3 months?). If tetanus is truly a concern then it's likely they'll suggest the tetanus immunoglobulin. I know tetanus is a popular one for docs to give in the ER but it won't help prevent tetanus with the current injury, just future ones. Also be aware that tetanus in children is INCREDIBLY rare in this country. Most tetanus (there are only a few cases every year and not all of the few are fatal) are in the elderly and diabetics who suffer from poor blood circulation. I would have it looked at due to the infection, but I would not stress about tetanus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) I would take them to the Dr now. That is an indication of infection. Edited July 17, 2011 by Sis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I would take them to the Dr now. That is an indication of infection. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 i'm hoping you're not posting because you've gone to have it seen... but if not, please get thee to a clinic now... ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleWMN Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Take her in. You don't want to risk it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) Red streaks = "lymphangitis", if you want to google. Here's some info. Basically, the infection is in the lymph system, and moving to the lymph nodes. The bacteria can multiply rapidly and can quickly become serious. She should be seen today. Also, she should have a tetanus booster if she isn't up to date, but tetanus doesn't cause lymphangitis. It's usually a type of strep or staph. Edited July 17, 2011 by Perry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 I haven't posted because we were out celebrating her 7th birthday. What a way to start the day; debriedment of a puncture wound! It got MUCH better though ;) Thank you all for your input. The streak has not gotten any longer and she has no fever, so right now we're just watching CLOSELY (as only a mother can!!). If it doesn't look any better, or looks WORSE tomorrow, I will get her into the Dr. The pain has actually gone down too; now, when distracted, she's actually walking on it! Thank you so much! I love knowing that I have a good place to go for MATERNAL input! Nothing compares! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Red streaks = "lymphangi****", I don't know why it won't let me type that word. It's l y m p h a n g i t i s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I don't know why it won't let me type that word. It's l y m p h a n g i t i s Did you add an extra T? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I haven't posted because we were out celebrating her 7th birthday. What a way to start the day; debriedment of a puncture wound! It got MUCH better though ;) Thank you all for your input. The streak has not gotten any longer and she has no fever, so right now we're just watching CLOSELY (as only a mother can!!). If it doesn't look any better, or looks WORSE tomorrow, I will get her into the Dr. The pain has actually gone down too; now, when distracted, she's actually walking on it! Thank you so much! I love knowing that I have a good place to go for MATERNAL input! Nothing compares! my mom's cure for all cuts is to soak them in hot soapy water. Make the water as hot as she can stand it and soak, soak, soak. A movie to watch or a good book to read is a must! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Did you add an extra T? :lol: Must have. :blushing: I edited it and it's okay now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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