Cuts - to cover or not to cover

[DeusXM]

Over the bank holiday weekend a heavy door closed on the back of my foot while I was wearing flipflops and did a nice job of slicing a chunk out of my heel. On the plus side it hurt like hell so at leat I've not lost any sensation!

I've done a good job of cleaning the wound, stopping it bleeding everywhere, applying antiseptic and keeping it covered with regularly changed plasters so now it's really more like what you get when you pop a massive blister.

I've been keeping it under a plaster pretty much 24/7 to stop dirt etc. getting into it and also to protect it when I've been wearing shoes.

However, the whole cut area is now a bit on the soggyish side, as you'd expect from somewhere that's been doused in Savlon and kept covered up for nearly a week now. If I can keep my foot away from dirt (say, sat home barefoot), is it worth me letting it dry out or should I really keep it under wraps? I want to get this fixed ASAP because at the moment it means I can't go to the gym as I can't run very well on it without rubbing it badly.

 

[AlisonM]

Perhaps a dry dressing instead of plasters? Hold it in place with a stockinette bandage and put the antiseptic on the dressing instead of the wound.

 

[FM001]

I find cuts heal faster when left uncovered, cover when wearing footwear and leave uncovered when resting at home, just my opinion.

 

[delb t]

How about those large Mepore squares-lloyds chemist 30p each -we tend to use those for footy injuries etc

 

[Caroline]

My personal thing is to use a dry dressing when I have shoes on and leave it uncovered when I am indoors wearing my crocs. Keep it clean with plain boiled water unless you bath rather than shower.

 

[Redkite]

I would leave it uncovered whenever you can - it should heal quickly now you've got it to the "burst blister" stage. Cover it when wearing shoes (except backless ones like crocs), also cover it for sleeping if it's still oozing lymph so it doesn't stick against sheets etc.

 

[Casper]

For me it would be uncovered, with a drop or two of either lavender or tea tree oil on. Foot out of the bed clothes.

 

[Copepod]

You'll probably find that a scab will form pretty quickly, if you give it a chance to dry out. Only cover again if you're going to put your foot somewhere dirty eg in a walking boot, walking through wet mud and / or fresh water. If paddling in seawater, I wouldn't bother to cover, but would rinse off saltwater and dry carefully before putting on shoes & socks. If you need to cover blister, then a strip of Micropore (R) tape is pretty good - cheap and easy to reapply. Remove before or during bath or shower and only reapply if needed, after skin is completely dry.

Other suitable dressing technique for earlier in wound care journey is to cover with a clear film dressing eg Tegaderm (R) - can see wound underneath, and dressing is designed to be left in place for days. But a week after injury, you're beyond that stage.

If it's lymph oozing out, that's serious, Redkite, but I think you mean interstitial fluid. 🙂

 

[Redkite]

If it's lymph oozing out, that's serious, Redkite, but I think you mean interstitial fluid. 🙂

Lol! I don't know what it's called! 😉

 

[novorapidboi26]

Whip it out!!!.......😉

Any chance of a pic.....😱

 

[Dory]

ewww novorapid! honestly!! 😉

but yes, with others on here, cover only when needed and with a dry, breathable dressing. whenever possible leave uncovered and it'll scab over quicker

 

[newbs]

I agree with everyone else too, I'd cover only when necessary to keep protected and clean, then leave uncovered at all other times and especially overnight.