Ask Me Help Desk - Burning Sensation On Cut Site

I have some cuts on my arm that are rather deep. I received them a month, a week and one day ago, today. When I first got them, I stopped blood flow, and then cleaned them using peroxide. After cleaning, I bandaged with non-stick gauze and first aid tape, with a generous amount of antibiotic ointment. (Generic Neosporin) I cleaned them daily with peroxide, and on the second day, I attempted to clean with rubbing alcohol, but almost fainted so I stuck to peroxide. After about 2 weeks, they had fully grown scabs (one of the deepest ones didn't even start scabbing over till first of the second week). By week three, the skin had grown over and all the scabs were gone. Now, 'm starting the 6th week. Well, as I said, the skin has grown over, and was pink for a little bit, but has gotten red as time has gone on. Now it's a mix of pink with deep and bright red splotches throughout what would be the scar. My concern is, that a few days ago, the area of the cuts began to burn when touched. I don't remember a sensation like this, and I've had cuts like them before, though they were a long time ago. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. Is it normal and I just don't remember from any other time? Is it because of how deep they were? The deepest cut was between 1/4 and 1/2 inch deep. The cuts are located on the outside area of my upper arm, about 3 inches from the top of my shoulder and go laterally across my arm. I currently am without insurance due to being laid off from my job a little while ago, and so I cannot afford to go to a doctor. Can anyone help me figure out what this problem might be so I can look into maybe getting some help with it if there is indeed something wrong? Or am I just freaking out for nothing? There isn't any red streaking leading off from the wound to indicate infection in that manner. Thank you for your time in reading this and for any answers I may receive.

JudyKayTee: As it's been over a month and they have already closed over and such, I seriously doubt I could get stitches. ;P I didn't get them at he time because it was the middle of the night and I don't have insurance. If I don't have the money for a doctor visit, lord knows I don't have the money for an Emergency Room visit. I live in a small town, so there isn't one here anyway, heh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khalidar

I have some cuts on my arm that are rather deep. I received them a month, a week and one day ago, today. When I first got them, I stopped blood flow, and then cleaned them using peroxide. After cleaning, I bandaged with non-stick gauze and first aid tape, with a generous amount of antibiotic ointment. (Generic Neosporin) I cleaned them daily with peroxide, and on the second day, I attempted to clean with rubbing alcohol, but almost fainted so I stuck to peroxide. After about 2 weeks, they had fully grown scabs (one of the deepest ones didn't even start scabbing over till first of the second week). By week three, the skin had grown over and all the scabs were gone. Now, 'm starting the 6th week. Well, as I said, the skin has grown over, and was pink for a little bit, but has gotten red as time has gone on. Now it's a mix of pink with deep and bright red splotches throughout what would be the scar. My concern is, that a few days ago, the area of the cuts began to burn when touched. I don't remember a sensation like this, and I've had cuts like them before, though they were a long time ago. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. Is it normal and I just don't remember from any other time? Is it because of how deep they were? The deepest cut was between 1/4 and 1/2 inch deep. The cuts are located on the outside area of my upper arm, about 3 inches from the top of my shoulder and go laterally across my arm. I currently am without insurance due to being laid off from my job a little while ago, and so i cannot afford to go to a doctor. Can anyone help me figure out what this problem might be so I can look into maybe getting some help with it if there is indeed something wrong? Or am I just freaking out for nothing? Thank you for your time in reading this and for any answers I may receive.

Are these an accident or do you cut yourself?

A cut 1/2" deep needs medical treatment, particularly if it's long.

It is taking *way too long* for your cuts to heal. Don't put a lot of ointment and other stuff on a cut. Here is one way to properly care for a wound.

If it is deep, get it stitched, treated, and bandaged by a physician.

Since you didn't, the proper way to care for it is to put on isopropyl alcohol(hurts like hell, kills germs) and put a large bandaid over the cut holding the sides together. Leave it alone for a couple of days so it starts to heal from the bottom up. Redress the wound after applying more alcohol(it hurts like hell and kills germs).

This should heal up in week. You may want to check and see if you have diabetes, that disease causes slow healing, if at all.

I have wounds that I treat, and I am a diabetic. Occasionally, a wound can heal over the top and there is some unhealed matter under to top layer of skin. There is a raised area that is a little pink and feels different to the touch.

Take care,