Yarrow

[spoonman]

Hey bushcrafters

My dad dropped a block on his shin nearly two years ago now at this stage and ever since it hasn't healed. It gets infected now and again and re-opens etc. He has been to the doctor numberous times to get antibiotics to clear the infection and get it cleaned but there doesnt seem to be any shifting it and we are all worried as it has been going on so long. I would like to know if yarrow might be the answer as I'am aware that it is regarded as an astringent for wounds. Has anyone ever used yarrow for this purpose and is it as simple as drying, crushing and applying?

 

[xylaria]

]IN MY HUMBLE OPINION I would not use a plant in these circumstances as it adds debris into the wound which will need to be debrided after. Royal icing made with teatree oil rather than water maybe better option. the icing needs to be solid and dry to the touch with no powder coming off it. Ask your pharmacist they may stock medical grade melaleuca honey or sugar paste or proper medicated bandages. They should be able to give proper advice. What ever you put on the has to really clean and changed daily.

Sounds like he has chronic wound infection, it is devils own job getting rid off them. Good luck.

 

[Lush]

Hi Spoonman,

I have heard of honey bandage (special medicinal sterile honey on a bandage.) Honey contains hydrogen peroxide which is a very effective disinfectant. You might want to have a look into that? My grandmother had the same problem. Ask a doctor first of course...

good luck,
Lush

 

[xylaria]

Hi Spoonman,

I have heard of honey bandage (special medicinal sterile honey on a bandage.) Honey contains hydrogen peroxide which is a very effective disinfectant. You might want to have a look into that? My grandmother had the same problem. Ask a doctor first of course...

good luck,
Lush

In Eire pharmacists have alot knowledge of wound care. This article may be helpful
http://www.internurse.com/cgi-bin/g...cgi?uid=12323;article=BJN_10_22 Suppl_S13_S20

The sugars in the dressing kill bacteria in the way salt does by disrupting the balance of the the cells. Honey and tea tree have other compounds that are distructive to bacteria as well.

 

[spoonman]

Thanks for all your advice guys...unfortunately Lush the doctor just advises rest all the time while prescribing antibiotics for infections. I will definitely look into the honey bandage though.

 

[Jodie]

A few years ago I cut my leg fairly badly and had stitches. Shortly after they
were taken out the wound failed to heal completely and I returned to the GP
surgery a couple of times for advice but they advised patience and antibiotics.

I eventually went to the same A&E where I originally had the stitches and
asked for their advice and they hoiked me in for immediate surgical debridement
which I had the next day.

This involves cutting out the infected part and taking the wound back to what
they delightfully called 'a bleeding wound bed' - basically it reboots things and
allows skin regrowth to take place.

Which it eventually did a few months later - I look like my leg's been bitten by
a shark, but I'm all better now.

GPs are fabulous but I'd let a hospital doctor / surgeon look at it.

Honey bandages may help but I don't think it will remove infected dead tissue
though it may stop it from getting worse. Maggots are also being used in some
places.

Does your dad have diabetes?

Jo

 

[spoonman]

Hey Jodie

Thats an interesting storey. The doctor at one stage did remove dedris but it got infected again.....It might be worth getting a hospital doctor to have a look alright, only he is reluctant as he doesn't want to get the hospital bug (MRSA) in it which would really feck things up. He doesn't have diabetes. i'm guessing your asking because of the honey?

 

[xylaria]

In the UK we have specialist wound nurses as doctors don't have time or the lead lined stomach as nurse has. I have worked as care assistant and have debrided malodorous wounds. But even when the affected area had intact but red thin easily broken skin it needed cleaning twice day for three months until eventually it turned into normal skin. IMHO antibiotics are no substitute for proper wound care, it is not difficult but a nurse is needed to show what you are to do.

 

[Jodie]

You must have a strong stomach Xylaria!

I had mine under general anaesthetic (which I found to be wonderful) and was
out the next day, discharged to the care of the district nurse who changed the
dressing every day, then every other, then twice a week... then I was able to
change it myself. It was fascinating and slightly gory.

The MRSA thing is always going to be on people's mind but, as I understand
it and await correction if wrong, the offending bacteria is already on our skin
so if the skin is broken there's a chance it could invade the wound anyway,
hospital or not. I may be wrong on that though.

Diabetes (if poorly controlled) can lengthen the time taken for a wound to heal,
however it can also cause leg ulcers to form in the first place. I see that your
dad actually injured himself so the wound wasn't caused by diabetes, but if
he did have the condition (and had high blood glucose levels) it could
complicate things.

I don't think a honey bandage would cause any problems for someone with
diabetes though. But a non-healing wound needs attention.

 

[falling rain]

Yarrow tea is one of my favourite wild teas. Ground Ivy is lovely too with a dash of Honey. Soz a bit of a tangent but still Yarrow

 

[firebreather]

The MRSA thing is always going to be on people's mind but, as I understand
it and await correction if wrong, the offending bacteria is already on our skin
so if the skin is broken there's a chance it could invade the wound anyway,
hospital or not. I may be wrong on that though.

True mrsa is on and inside all off us. and its nothing new either. The main problem has arisen with the fact that its now beocme treatment resistive. All is not lost as front line nurses do daily battle with various bugs and it might not look like it but we are winning the battle. The press would say otherwise and the goverment use us as political footballs but nevermind we are used to it. One minute angels next sloppy joes who need a good kick up the backside because we are lazy and dont clean.........sorry im going to get off my soapbox now .
I hope your dads ok and you get something sorted out.

 

[twisted firestarter]

I agree with Xlaria and Lush on this one.

Manuka honey is the one to get and it does work. Look at this BUPA web page...

http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/asp/healthy_living/lifestyle/diet/honey/

It is devilishly expensive though so make sure you finish it up after your Dad has mended by applying a liberal dose to some toast

 

[EdS]

to be honest you don't need Manuka honey if you can get local small scale honey form a bee keeper - the stuff the cut and harvest themselves. Problem with comercila honey is most of it is heat treated which reduce its healing properties (also why it has a bitter burnt caramel aftertaste).

I've used my own bees honey on cuts including the one where I cut my shin to the bone with a billhook but never got it stiched (super glued it closed) and several burns - not to selve do not pick up bail wire that has been in the fire. All healed we. Als oif you get to know a beekeeper see if you can get some propolis (bee glue)- this is the top stuff wound healing, very antiseptic and promotes healing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propolis

 

[dommyracer]

True mrsa is on and inside all off us. and its nothing new either.

Not strictly true. the SA (Staphylococcus aureus,) part is inside all of us, and its nothing particularly new - the new part is the (MA) Methicillin Resistant strains