Wound in the tropics ?

[The Chairman]

personally, I would dive with it, but I would put a sock on it while diving. I actually dive with nylon socks, as they keep me from getting blisters or abrasions from booties.

 

[berndo]

personally, I would dive with it, but I would put a sock on it while diving.

And the sock is going to do what exactly?

Go sit at the bar, i would keep it covered and slathered in antibiotic ointment, drink furiously until you get on the plane to go home.

If he had 3 or 4 more day left on his vacation I'd might do the same but he's there for another month. If you're getting an infection (which is more likely than not with a deep cut soaking in dirty water every day) and stay for 3 more weeks it's not going to look pretty.

 

[The Chairman]

And the sock is going to do what exactly?

Reduce or eliminate abrasion.

 

[berndo]

Reduce or eliminate abrasion.

The guy has an open wound.

 

[Imla]

First and foremost keep it clean. Change your dressings regularly. I would recommend getting a broad spectrum antibiotic just to be safe.

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor but I play one with my wife.

PLEASE! Do not put brad spectrum antibiotics on a wound without a doctors assessment that it actually a) needs antibiotics, and b) if it really is so in the S*** that it needs brad spectrum antibiotics.
Resistance to antibiotics is real, and if you don't need it, don't get it. If you need it, use the most specific kind, and use it per the doctors orders!

 

[boulderjohn]

You might dive with it and be totally OK. On the other hand....

About a onth ago I developed a blister on my toe, and it broke. No big deal, right? I treated it as I would any other wound, and I was not diving with it. It wouldn't heal. I happened to have a doctor's appointment for a different issue, and I pointed it out. The doctor had it cultured.

Strep.

I ended up with hard core antibiotics, and I had two weeks of pain before it got reasonably healthy. It still bothers me a little.

By the way, flesh eating bacteria is a form of strep.

 

[The Chairman]

The guy has an open wound.

Which will remain open, if you don't stop abrading it. I also carry tagaderm when I travel. That can help, but not as much as putting a sock on the wound.

 

[Imla]

I'm not sure if it looks worse than it is or not.
Not big for sure but might be difficult to keep clean on an island and diving.

Rince it properly with clean soap and water. Dress with a band aid. Keep dry. It probably looks a lot worse than it is. Keep eyes open for toe getting red, warm and (more) painful. If this happens seek medical assistance. Betadine can be used for cleaning, but normal soap and _clean_ water (Ie, bottled if you are not sure tap water is good) is good enough.

 

[berndo]

Which will remain open, if you don't stop abrading it. I also carry tagaderm when I travel. That can help, but not as much as putting a sock on the wound.

NO, it will remain open when you soak it every day is dirty water. A sock is not going to help.

Dude, is there not any actual doctor on this board you can tag? People really get very nasty infection this way. I have seen it many times. I've had three pretty nasty infections myself working in the tropics ... and the once I had weren't anywhere close to what I have seen other people getting.

 

[scrane]

Put a good quality bandaid on it. Douse the pad with antibiotic ointment.

If you're in a place where you can buy over the counter antibiotics buy some. Keep an eye on the wound and start antibiotics immediately if it start looking weird or puffs up. If you don't need the antibiotic at least you'll have some for home. Keep diving unless things get serious.