Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Limpy on August 23, 2014, 03:09:31 PM
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I don't know what to do.
I noticed an insect bite on the inner ankle the other day, this developed into a blister.
Initially it was the size of a pea, now it's like half a grape.
It's itchy and stings a bit, the foot below is sore to touch.
I am taking antihistamines and keeping the foot up when possible, tried to get TCP as recommended by Honeyb but no success.
Should I put a dressing on it, I'me worried about knocking it.
Also, do I leave it, or **** it and let it drain?
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I would **** it let it drain and dry it and then use HB's Dettol cream Limpy.
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Thanks SL
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Just found info http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/blisters-treatment
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You need to ring the A&E or your GP. A spreading blister particularly if there is any redness or spreading of apparent infection may require ABs! Some insects can cause Lyme's disease so if you develop flu like symptoms you need to go to A&E AT ONCE!
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I agree, take a trip to A&E.......today....
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If you use a needle to pop the blister make sure you run the needle through a hot match first. Wipe with a clean tissue before use. Make sure that the surrounding skin around the 'wound' is cleansed before popping.
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It's not really a blister though - it's a reaction to something that's been injected into the skin. NHS advice here http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bites-insect/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
Taz x :hug:
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Thanks Ladies
Still dithering as to what to do.
Feel ok, no flu symptoms so will wait till tomorrow before piercing, probably.....
Why can't I just decide what to ::)
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Limpy - important information from the link I posted above
"Blisters
If you develop blisters after being bitten by an insect, don't burst them because they may become infected.
Blisters don't usually cause pain unless they rupture (burst) and expose the new skin underneath. If possible, use an adhesive bandage (plaster) to protect the blistered area.
Infected bites
See your GP if the bite or sting fills with pus and feels tender to touch, your glands swell up and you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms.
Your GP may prescribe oral antibiotics (medicines to treat infections caused by bacteria). You'll need to take these as instructed, usually two to four times a day for seven days"
Dont burst it!!
Taz x
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Taz that really does help.
I have had a similar blister before, it burst. I think that had a lot to do with the fact I was doing regular horse riding and the blister was on the inner calf, exactly where the leg met the horse. It was difficult keeping the area sterile / clean, especially as I was also doing quite a lot of swimming at the time.
I will leave the blister as it is, will probably cover it at night, difficult to avoid biffing it in bed. Happily I have a lot of dressings left over from when I had a mole removed from my back earlier this year, also antibiotic ointment. The latter being exactly the same as prescribed when the earlier blister burst. So if the current one starts leaking I hopefully can cope till after the Bank Holiday, when Drs Nurses etc should be easier to get at.
Thank you.
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I think the difference between your two blisters is that one was caused by friction and the other caused by a reaction to a bite. With the friction one there will just be ordinary fluid but with an insect bite there could be more than just fluid so bursting it could lead to infection? Not sure. Hopefully it will just go down on it's own!
Taz x
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I had much the same thing a couple of years ago. It was a horse fly bite, well actually two. It was on my arm and according to my daughter was so big it cast it's own shadow.
I did burst mine but it kept filling up again. It was not like any blister I have ever had. The .....Sorry...contents of the blister was dirty brown fluid. It did feel better when I popped it but you would be better to check this out.
One other thought is to bathe it in warm salty water to see if it will go on its own. Maybe fill a basin and soak your foot.
I maybe completely wrong but I think this kind of bite is better out than in. Can you call NHS24 for advice.
Honeyb
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I think the difference between your two blisters is that one was caused by friction and the other caused by a reaction to a bite.
Sorry Taz I wasn't being very clear.
The first blister was an insect one as well. The difference was that it was getting physical aggravation which caused it to burst.
The blister is sill there, I put a very loose dressing on it last night which protected it in bed, we'll see what happens today
I maybe completely wrong but I think this kind of bite is better out than in. Can you call NHS24 for advice.
Honeyb I had a similar blister a couple of years ago, the advice from medics was to leave it alone.
After it burst it was just like an open wound, really difficult to protect. Assuming it doesn't get infected I will leave it till Tuesday when Drs are open. It is so tempting to **** it though ::)
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Honeyb - You were SO RIGHT I should have ****ed it.
This morning it had grown to 1.3" diameter, so went to Drs who had discussion with nurse who then ****ed it. Feels a lot better, seeing nurse tomorrow to get it dressed and checked.
Don't think I'me going to be able to go swimming for a while, lots of raw skin covered by a very thin layer of skin. :-\
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Did tell you Limpy, its what I have always been told. As long as its kept clean and dressed its perfectly OK.
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You did SL, you did.
OH got irate on Sunday when the blister really increased, saying we should have ****ed it when it was cherry sized.
Ii's so difficult when all the web sites, and medics say, don't.
Anyway, hopefully sorted now.
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It will probably fill up again a couple of times.....Well mine did. I used hubbies sterile insulin needles to do mine. The nurse may give you some if you ask.
It's a funny blister. Remarkably tough on the outside I found, not like a friction blister at all.
Glad you are getting it sorted Limpy......horrible things. Do you think it was a horse fly bite ? I know mine was as i saw the bugger ;D
Honeyb
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Its one of those things when some say leave it and some say **** it, forgot to say about sterile needle, I boil it and use some TCP, OH thinks its
wonderful and say its an old fashioned remedy and is always saying "TCP it" do you think its something to do with the war ;D
Think your OH might have been right, hope it start to clear up now Limpy.
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Thanks Ladies
Honeyb - You're right - again. It's definitely leaking, the dressing is a fetching brownish colour (sound familiar?) Don't think it was a horse fly, it happened in the house and we would have noticed one of those. OH had a similar bite on his ankle, he burst it early on, but it did keep on leaking.
Silverlady - OH was right (along with you and Honeyb). He will never, ever let me forget it ::)
We don't know what's biting us, but there are some very small things flying around, they don't look like midges or gnats though :-\
Am definitely going to try and get hold of some TCP, asked at the chemist last Friday they didn't have any, but I think Sainsburys may have some.
Off to see the nurse tomorrow, that will be interesting...................
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TCP smells worse than anything but it also works better too.
My pharmacist orders in the cream and the liquid for me when I need it. The kids hated it as does hubby but boy does it work.
It really sounds like a horse fly bite. Don't think anything else causes such a big blister that is quite so dirty.
Honeyb
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Hmm - That does sound right, but the really scary thing is that we haven't seen any big ones, so does that mean there is a baby horse fly nursery in the house?
Ankle feels so much better.
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Glad you are feeling better Limpy.
Just can't think what else it would be. We have a lot of midges in Scotland and I react to them but they are small raised itchy dots that go in a few hours. Horse flies are dirty.
The blister is tough. Anything else would burst itself. Mine was huge and I still have the scar on my arm two years later.
Try and get the TCP if you can...it will speed up the healing after the blister has finished leaking.
Main thing is you have had it seen too.
Honeyb
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I am going to get the TCP, whatever it takes.
The thing is, I had a similar blister in April 2001, that was definitely tough, it was smaller though.
It only split after I had put a dressing on it and went swimming, mind you there was horse riding the next day.
My ankle feels so much better now.
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Be prepared for the sting though if its the liquid, It is quick though ;D
Get the cream too as HB has said.
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Remember to dilute as per instructions and then stand down wind of everyone else ;D
Honeyb
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TCP is great, either as a paste or liquid with which to gargle.
Glad the blister site is improving!
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OK - So a waterproof (ish) dressing was put on yesterday with some flamazine cream.
The dressing had be to "concocted" from different bits and pieces, nurse not me.
This morning the dressing got wet (leaked around the edges) so replaced it, old one had yellowish gunge on it (sorry TMI).
Seeing nurse tomorrow but concerned this will take a while to heal.
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It took weeks for mine to heal Limpy. Wouldn't worry about a mucky dressing. Your body is getting rid of all the gunk before it will start healing.
When I had waterproof dressings for my neck they were really good. It felt really soft but kept all my blisters dry. Maybe ask the nurse for something different.
Honeyb
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Thanks Honeyb - As it happens I had some waterproof dressings left over from earlier in the year when I had a mole removed and it didn't heal. I mentioned the dressing to the nurse who said no we have everything we need here. Afterwards she asked for the exact measurements and name of the dressing. OH rolled around laughing when I told him.
The thing that worries me is will I be able to go swimming?
I think if I have waterproof dressings and change them when I finish swimming it should be ok, what would you think?
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Maybe give it a couple of days before you swim. I take it its an indoor pool. Not sure I would risk it quite yet. Perhaps wait until Monday before you get things really wet.
I know they say waterproof dressings but I'm not sure they would be pool proof.
I got a prescription for dressings as the surgery did not have enough. Hubby got a dab hand at it eventually. I hate my burn scars. Family tell me they are not noticeable...there are telling fibs. My neck is a mess ::)
Honeyb
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It is an indoor pool but I think you are right, won't even think about it till next week, Wednesday probably before I do it.
The dressings I have stashed are ok for the shower but they get soggy when swimming.
The daft thing is the blister was fine when swimming, it's just that it kept getting bigger & bigger, I was worried about it bursting in an uncontrolled way. I should have listened to you and SL who said **** it. Nurse said the thinking on blisters has only changed recently, however the GP didn't know about it initially ::)
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DO NOT GO SWIMMING! pools and surrounding areas are not germ proof. You could pick up something nasty or pass on any bugs that lurk in your wound.
Waterproof are rarely that. Also plasters are not breathable. A small sterile dressing secured with lint bandage should be enough. Any leakage is the body ridding itself of bugs and internal irritants.
Let Nature take her Course ;)
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I agree with CLKD. I have not commented so far as I had nothing to offer, but my friend's husband developed cellulitis after swimming with an open leg wound. He was off work 3 months and could have lost his lower leg. Please be careful.
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Thanks CLKD and Babyjane.
Saw nurse this morning got leg redressed.
No gunge on dressing this morning so things are looking up.
The dressing is waterproof enough for a shower but definitely not for swimming. Been told to leave it on as long as I can. Seeing nurse again on Monday morning.
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Feet up, cuppa in hand ;)
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There's been lots of feet up going on at the moment ::)
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Your tipple of choice is ........... :whist:
Right now mine's a cuppa with an Eccles cake ::)
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Don't ask......
We purchased a headboard for the spare bed, i.e. the one we use in winter when wind gusts are over 50mph/knph with rain. Headboard looks fine but the bolts we have for fixing don't fit. I think they never have but we botched, OH says no can't possibly be the case, went to local garage got new bolts, he's working on it now.
Right now my tipple of choice is anything which deadens the aggro.
Ladies, I'me going in, just off to see if I can offer support........
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Limpy have you though of Nuskin that you dab on and it forms a film, we use it and it does form a protective skin.
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Thanks Silverlady - Hadn't thought of Nuskin, sounds useful,
I will definitely get some, if things haven't improved by Monday I will chase that up then.
However, I only managed to get some TCP this morning, so that is now available in the Limpy medicine chest. You can't rush these things.
Ladies, I went, I offered support, the new headboard is now fitted. Now we have another bedroom that can be used by proper people, not just us when hiding from strong winds and rain. The tat that was in there is now in the officially designated "box room"
Still thinking about the tipple of choice.
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Good to hear it's getting a lot better.
We have spray on plaster, good grief that stuff stings like a beast. Works ok though. I am the only one that will use it as the rest of the family are cowards ;D
I am considering my Friday evening beverage. I think I am leaning towards red I think ;D Good job really as that's all we have got.
Honeyb
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"We purchased a headboard for the spare bed, i.e. the one we use in winter when wind gusts are over 50mph/knph with rain. ....... "
;D ............ you could move inside the house 4 protection from the wind or buy a tent ............
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"We purchased a headboard for the spare bed, i.e. the one we use in winter when wind gusts are over 50mph/knph with rain. ....... "
;D ............ you could move inside the house 4 protection from the wind or buy a tent ............
Sadly, we ARE talking about IN the house. :o
When the winds are from the west there is no protection at all, very very noisy, considerably worse when it rains. One of of the disadvantages of having good views.
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;D ……… have you tried 2nd-dary double glazing, we used to buy a cling-film type product which was put on and tightened with a hair dryer. Easily removed when Summer arrived. Our 1st flat was draughty, opp. the beach - we plugged the floor boards with newspaper only to find the wallpaper would flutter ;D :D ………
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We have a bit of that here. Up the top of a hill with nowt between us and the sea except a bit of distance. In our last house we had to stuff newspaper up the chimney to stop the noise. We could see and hear the sea from the house and the windows were always covered in salt.
We have a few islands to slow the wind down but I do sympathise Limpy. The wind can sound like a jet plane at its worse. We always lie in bed hoping there will be no damage.
Honeyb
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have you tried 2nd-dary double glazing
Yep - There's pukka double glazing in the house. With the addition of trimmed perspex sheets (2mm - bought cut to size) and nifty timber frames making it triple glazed.
Great minds think alike ;D
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The wind can sound like a jet plane at its worse. We always lie in bed hoping there will be no damage.
That is so familiar. We normally sleep downstairs, but that has big glass westward facing doors, so during strong west winds, it's just so loud, as you say like a jet plane. When it's like that that, we sleep upstairs. It's an old house which hasn't got much in the way of ceilings. Even in the sheltered part of the house we heard something rattling down the roof, given that the slates aren't well fixed that was a bit too exciting :o
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Do you need to fix the headboard to the floor ………… ;) ………. large bricks on the blankets to stop them lifting when the wind blows ……… :whist:
How's the blister this evening? I would wait until the wound is completely healed before swimming!
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large bricks on the blankets to stop them lifting
How's the blister this evening? I would wait until the wound is completely healed before swimming!
Bricks only needed during moment of passion - Few and between - I might knock my ankle ;D
Not even going to think about swimming till it's healed
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How has it been today? Still excuse for feet up and something in a glass ………. :whist:
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Thanks CLKD - It's not been bad today, not really hurt.
However, I kept the ankle dry, no shower just stand up wash, horrid, must shower tomorrow.
Oh, and done b-----r all, lots of feet up.
Re something in glass, I couldn't possibly comment....... :whist:
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:lol: kicked my ankle this morning, thought of you immediately ::)
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:thankyou:
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Nurse redressed blister this morning.
It looks a lot better, now totally flat, except that there is a large circle (about the same size as an old half a crown) of dark red skin. Got to keep dressing on for a couple of days then should be OK for swimming - Yaaaaaayyyyyyy.
The really irritating thing is that I noticed another bite this morning, on my wrist.
Whilst this is getting bigger and swollen, (10p size) there is no sign of a blister. It's a case of being grateful for not so small mercies.
Don't know where the insects are coming from though, we've got insect screens on all the windows and doors aren't left open. Have noticed some small midge like things around though, so perhaps it's them.......
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Cintonella candles are quite good for getting rid of midges, so not sure if that would be of any use.
We have had no midges here this year. It's been great.
Hope your new bite behaves Limpy.
Honeyb
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Thanks Honeyb.
It's doing the swelling and itchy type of thing.
Wedding ring is getting very tight.
But at least there is no blister, yet...........
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Do you do any gardening , or walking through long grass.
You must be coming in contact outside the house. Maybe have a think where you have been over the last day or so.
Honeyb
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Don't do gardening.
The only thing I can think of is there are a lot of sheep and cattle in the field right next to the house. Also, there is a bit of a green lane, bordered by trees, at the back of the house.
So perhaps either of those could be it.
A blister did start developing on it last might. It got ****ed with a sterilised needle and covered with savlon and a plaster. The swelling reduced pretty much straight away, it did come up a bit this morning, but my ring isn't too tight, phew
Just thought, there is a car port which we use quite a bit, so something could be lurking there.
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Well I don't know what bit me but I too have a large blister on my ankle. Went to the GP who said ''we can a) leave it alone b) give you antibiotics or c) drain it'' which I thought was a bit unhelpful as I was hoping he would tell me what was required! I opted for c) drain it. He asked me to wait a minute and I assumed he'd gone to get the nurse or whatever he needed to do the draining but he came back with one of the surgery partners who said to do nothing with it. His view was that the blister is there for a reason, i.e. to form a sterile dressing for the bite and draining it was pointless as it will only fill again. No need for antibiotics as there is no sign of infection. So two doctors, same practice, different views :o
Since then (Tuesday) the blister has continued to grow but there is still no sign of infection which is good. However, as the bite is on my ankle I can't actually wear 'normal' shoes and a, slobbing around in slipper boots which is fine this week as I'm on leave from work but I will need to wear shoes before long so I can see me having to go back to the doctors and try again for getting it drained......
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Know exactly what you mean Catdude.
The Dr and both nurses I saw said current practice WAS to drain blisters. The logic being if they do burst they "make a right mess"
Can you make an appt to see the nuse saying you want advice?
The thing is when it's burst it's like an open wound, needs dressings and care not to get wet or dirty.
Mine has healed now but has left a massive red mark. Think I mentioned I got another bite shortly after and I ****ed it when it was small, with a sterilised needle. Covered it with savlon, though I believe TCP is better and put a plaster on it.
Do go and see the nurse, you will need to get it dressed and looked at properly.
Good luck
Just thought on a bit - I left mine, it ended up Golf Ball sized
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When I had my horse fly bite which my daughter said cast a shadow ::) I burst it myself. I never went to the GP.
I used one of OHs sterile needles and went for it. I then dressed it myself.
I really don't think it made a lot of difference....between doing it myself and seeing the doctor.
As long as you cover it you would be fine. After all I only made a tiny hole and the fluid seeped out. I had to do it a few times covering after each time.
If it had become hot and angry looking I would have seen someone.
Two years on I still have the scar.....It's on my arm.
It's not that I'm brave....I burned my neck....cauliflower cheese incident.....and I was at the nurse the next day and every other day afterwards for a week. ::)
Honeyb
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The GP that advised leaving it did admit that there were mixed views on whether to drain or leave alone with some doctors advising one thing and others another. I can see his logic in leaving it as the body has put the blister there to protect the skin underneath - he described it as being like a sterile dressing - but it must have to 'burst' sooner or later so to me it seems to make more sense for it to be deliberately drained in a controlled (sterile) fashion rather than when I inevitably end up catching it on something..... :-\ If it hasn't gone by Monday I'll go back.
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If it's a horse fly bite they are incredibly dirty. Sorry if TMI but when I burst mine it was not clear fluid that came out but dirty brown water.
I think better out than in. If you are only making a tiny hole then the skin is still protecting things. I can't see how a blister full of yukky stuff is a good idea.
I really would do it myself.
Honeyb
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Honeybun - I am getting more and more tempted to do, more because it is just a nuisance than anything else and it has to burst sooner or later I would have thought and I would really prefer that to be under my control rather than just random.
I'm not sure if I could actually do it myself being THE most squeamish person in the world but my husband has offered...... I was wondering about getting a sterile needle (other than boiling / burning one of my sewing needles which I didn't quite fancy) but have just remembered my husband has a stock of sterile tattoo needles (he has trained as a tattooist) - these are the individually wrapped single-use type and very fine so just the job!
If it hasn't gone by the morning I think I'll do it. I have sterile melolin type dressings in the cupboard to cover it afterwards,
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Sounds ideal.
If you can get TCP cream then that is brilliant.
Don't look and you won't feel a thing. I did have to do mine about four times as it kept filling up
Oh joy.
Honeyb
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Catdude - Listen to Honeyb.
I wish I had when my blister started, I didn't and it grew to golf ball size.
The next one I ****ed when it was lust pea sized, much easier to cope with.
I have to confess I sterilised one of my sewing needles, put it in kettle steam. Didn't feel a thing when I did it. It's just skin, no nerve endings.
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Well, the deed is done. Husband did it this morning with sterile needle, warm water / salt mix to clean skin after (that stung!) and sterile dressing over the top. I suspect it is filling again but is less painful than it was before. I'll have a look at it when I change the dressing tonight. In future I will be ignoring medical advice and following my instinct and dealing with any blister of this sort as soon as it starts rather than waiting for it to be large and more of a problem.
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Well done you.
Get some TCP. If you can't get cream then try and get the antiseptic liquid.
My hubby is a type 1 diabetic. He has to be really careful with his feet and legs as his circulation is poor. TCP is invaluable to me. I can actually get his shins to heal when he has done something silly in the garden. It's old fashioned and stinks but boy does it work.
Honeyb
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Catdude - How's the blister, has it tried to fill up again?
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Hi Limpy - there appears to be a small amount of fluid in it but nowhere near what there was before. It's sore when anything touches it but the skin around it looks well enough, no sign of redness or anything so fingers crossed it is just a matter of letting it heal. I've got a gauze dressing on it just to keep out any possible dirt.
Honeybun - useful tip about TCP. I'm one of the few people that likes the smell of it although it does linger :D
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I LOVE TCP smell :-X :P