General Q and A Forum - Open Wound On Leg Won't Heal...

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Q: Open Wound On Leg Won't Heal...

asked by: BadLeg on December 21st, 2007

New User

I have a rather nasty circular quarter-sized wound on my leg above my ankle on the front side. I'm not quite sure what initially caused it, but it has effectively been an "open" wound for about 2 months now and grown to this size over time. I'm really becoming quite concerned about it.

The issue is that it will scab over and begin to heal, but the pus is just too much for it (I guess) and simple rubbing of socks and/or pants legs break the scab completely free and it has to start healing all over again every single time...and I mean very, very light contact.

I have tried bandages, neosporin gel, and hydrogen preoxide but nothing seems to help. The problem with bandages is that when I go to change the bandage to a fresh one, the scab will peel off with the bandage....and again the healing has to start over.

I'm really not sure to do, please help me Sad

Replies(13)

Stan

replied on December 21st, 2007

Supporter

Hmmm, that sounds like you might have an abscess kicking there. How much does it hurt?

BadLeg

replied on December 21st, 2007

New User

It only hurts when the scab begins to fall off. Other than at that time, I don't even notice it.

Stan

replied on December 21st, 2007

Supporter

Is it any way possible that you could wear sandals until it clears up some more? That might sound stupid, but it would work quite quickly. Low cut shoes might help too. Hmmm, doesn't sound like an abscess then, you'd know if it was. You might need to get it looked at unfortunately.

BadLeg

replied on December 22nd, 2007

New User

I was afraid of that Sad

I don't really have very good medical insurance through work. Would there be anything at the drug store that I could use to keep it dried out?

That's the biggest problem. There is so much pus that the scab just kind of "slides off" after a while. I know it sounds disgusting, but that's kind of what's happening...

Stan

replied on December 22nd, 2007

Supporter

Hmmm, I have one thing I can recommend. If you have a health food store nearby, buy some tea tree oil and put it on the wound regularly. That might help clear it up, works real quick if it will. The strange thing is you're saying there's so much pus. Have you tried squeezing and pressing around the edge of it to see if it drains? Have you noticed any drainage on your socks and such or maybe on your sheets when you wake up?

BadLeg

replied on December 22nd, 2007

New User

yes, there definately is drainage on my socks and the sheets. Pressing around the edges does nothing...it's a gradual leakage.

Not like a pimple at all.

Stan

replied on December 23rd, 2007

Supporter

Hmmm, that does sound like a possible abscess, but usually if you press around them and such something should come out, plus the area you describe is a little too shallow for something that can be as deep as that. How did this wound start? How much drainage is there?

BadLeg

replied on December 24th, 2007

New User

I think it originally started with an ingrown hair that got irritated but I'm not positive. There is A LOT of drainage, sometimes so much that it will run down on to my foot if I leave it un-bandaged.

Stan

replied on December 24th, 2007

Supporter

That has to be an abscess, no normal wound will drain that much. Unfortunately, only a doctor's intervention can get rid of it. If you're really, really, incredibly brave you can try it yourself, but it won't be easy. You would need to dig into the whole way to get to the heart of the infection and then pack it with gauze to keep it open. You better get it looked at if you can't seem to get any relief from tea tree oil, that's really your last hope. Drainage that bad has to be abscess. Any way you can post a picture of it on here?

Roberta777

replied on December 24th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

Open Leg Wound

Please go to a wound center for treatment.

O'Conner's Hospital in San Jose is where I took my husband after a bad leg injury. It also didn't heal and became worse as time went on. He was also a diabetic so it made it more difficult to heal.

They may have to scrap out the infected part of skin and then you will have the chance to recover.

Good luck to you.

BadLeg

replied on December 27th, 2007

New User

Thanks a lot...I'll see what I can do.

MrBeerSD60

replied on May 26th, 2009

New User

Bad Leg also

Hi, your wound sounds almost the same as mine however there isn't a large amount of drainage just enough in a 9-hour period to stain the gauze pad. I have had mine for about 4 months, finally went to the doctor, he swabbed a culture & sent it to the lab, a week later he says there was no sign of a bacterial infection, then he gives me a prescription for "cephlexin" and that doesn't work! I need a new doctor as I can't afford to keep taking off from work to see this guy.
Good Luck!
Steve D.

mangojulie

replied on October 9th, 2009

New User

Open wound won't heal

I have exactly the same problem but located on my shin. It's a wound that started small ... not sure how as I did not notice it at first. But it got bigger over time. Lots of drainage. Heals but scab comes off due to drainage. Then it has to heal all over again. All I want to know is what the hell is this thing and how do I get rid of it!?

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