Any medical personnel???

[carrbowl]

So I guess having a child in the hospital last weekend with some surgery last Monday was enought for our family... another child has decided to get some attention. He has no clue what happened to his finger. This morning it was swollen, but it has gotten worse as the day has progressed. The redness has become more intenese right in the middle...so we finally drew a circle around the red area to see if it is growing...thus the black pen mark...Does anyone have any ideas as to what is happening/? Also it has started oozing...lovely...just lovely...

[Firegirl]

I would seriously consider some sort of bug bite. Perhaps a spider. Don't let it go on too long as it can cause tissue necrosis if it is in fact the wrong kind of bite.

People actually call 911 for this stuff. At the very least I'd go to one of those doc in a box places tomorrow. They can get you started on some meds.

[carrbowl]

Well we were figuring it was some sort of bite...the problem being he has Prolonged QT syndrome..not only do doc's in a box, not like to treat him...I don't trust them...There is a five page list of meds he can't take including me favorite up until he took it and failed his treadmill test this last year, Zithromax..the list is so out of control..anyway, that's why we did the marking, so we could keep an eye on the area..thanks for the suggestion...hope i don't end up at the er again this weekend!!!!!! that would so s@#$!!!

[KdLaneJr]

redness, swelling and oozing are usually one of two things. Bug bites or infections. Today's infections are nothing to sneeze at. Don't wait to get medical attention. Delaying treatment for certain bug bites ie., brown recluse spiders can lead to irreversible tissue damage. While I wouldn't call 911; I would consider going to an ER...

[carrbowl]

OMG the brain is definitely asleep already...I took a photo and thought I posted it so you could see it...DUH

[KdLaneJr]

The swelling between the first knuckle of the hand and the wound site you have circled is significant. Looks to be 1/3 again as large as it should be.

You could try a warm saltwater soak tonight, but in the morning I'd pursue treatment if I were you.

[carrbowl]

thanks for the advice...the check is in the mail

[KdLaneJr]

pm sent

[Steelsun]

Could be a bug bite (like a brown recluse). Could also be a severe staph infection (possibly even MRSI, which can be deadly).
I've had both, neither are fun.

I'd get it checked in the AM ASAP if it has not gone down. Especially if he has an elevated temp.

[Firegirl]

Ken...I hope you didn't think I was suggesting he call 911. It's just a reference to the amazing non-emergency-parents should know better-kind of call we get. I find that we do more educating of the public in this job. Some folks think we're a free clinic on wheels. Which is ok during the daytime...........just don't stay up all night and think you should call 911 at 0200 hrs for a cough you've had for 3 days. You'd be amazed at the stuff we get called for. HAHA. Anyway, I hope with our advice Renae gets this looked at. Maybe we'll get an update.

[KdLaneJr]

Sherrie,

Never thought you were advocating 911. Seems we do a poor job in secondary schools and college teaching people how to tell when 911 is needed.

And yes..., I'd be truly amazed at the stuff you get called out for.

Ken

[bullsparade]

I hope you have sought medical treatment for that wound. It shows some serious signs of infection/necrosis. As a parent I know how frustrating ER visits can be and even Dr visits, hence all 3 of my kids have had thier fair share of butterfly bandages rather than stitches.

This wound however looks serious and you should always take extra precautions on wounds that simply "appear". Typically spiders dont hurt you when they bite. It is after the bite that the problems begin. Those problems vary depending on species but again if the site of the wound shows redness and increase in size, you are looking at a problem that isnt just going to run its course. You may be looking at a lost finger or even more serious blood poisoning due to secondary infection.

Please tell us you have had the wound examined by a Dr and he is getting better....????

[JohnRushing]

Not a medical person yet but I'm working on it. But I have had experience with bites, since I stick my hands were they shouldn't be a lot of times. It really does look like a spider bite and a Brown Recluse. I was biten by by those on two different times and they get very painfull. It could be several other things but it looks just like the bite marks I had both times. It needs medical attention because it will only spread and the longer it goes unattended the more tissue that will die. Brown Recluse bites have been known to be fatal on some occasions but most ofthe time they just end up making some nasty wounds, our bodies are truely amazing how they can fight off invaders and repair themself. One of the bites I had was on the back of my left calf and I was left with an indention about 1" across ans maybe an 1/8" deep. The wound healed up but the indention is stil there. I really feel for you after all your going through. I know how hard it is to see your children hurting, I would rather it be me hurting anytime rather than my kids. We'll add you to our prayer lit tonight.

[Arnor]

Renae,

I'd take the kid to the nearest Texas Med Clinic. I've been to ERs with my mother-in-law before she passed away and I'd only take someone there if they planned to get sick tomorrow or the next day<g> Our neighbor takes their kids to the ER if a fly sits on them and they sit there for a day or two. Texas Med clinic, OTOH I have very good experience with. They are about 4 minute drive from my home and we have always got excellent and reasonably fast service there. The longest I've waited is about an hour and but the staff is very competent IMO. That finger looks infected and I bet it hurts like a SOB. Infections, particularly like this one which looks like it's spreading out a lot can be nasty and should be treated if possible. I avoid antibiotics unless I absolutely have to, and this looks like one of those "have to" situations to me - but I'm not a doctor and can't advise on that, but doesn't mean I can't have an opinion<g>

Best regards,

[kimberley]

he needs to go to the doctor right away, looks like a staph infection from a bug bite