Three days ago I suffered a bad cut on my arm (about an inch an a half below elbow crease, horizontal across arm) and had to have 22 stitches (4 on the inside, 18 on out). They gave me a tetanus shot at the hospital, and I have been taking antibiotics four times a day since (what I was prescribed). I have been cleaning the stitches daily with a hydrogen peroxide/water solution, applying neosporin, and applying a new bandage.

Yesterday I noticed a large bruise above my elbow - it is purple-ish red and composed of weird 'dots'. Today I noticed that I am beginning to have a similar bruise on the inside of my wrist, although it is roughly 1/4 the size of the other and is hard to see.

My forearm has been swollen this whole time (not noticeably, however), is a little sore, and feels rather numb, but it is not discolored aside from the bruising. I haven't seen any pus or anything of that nature coming from the wound, so I am left wondering if I have a minor infection or if there is a circulation problem. My mother, a RN, suggested that the bandage could be wrapped too tight, but decided otherwise after she checked it. Also, the hospital staff recommended that I wear a sling to protect my stitches, but my mother advised me not to today for fear it could upset the circulation in my arm.

Is this normal? I think I'm going to the doc. tomorrow regardless.