I crashed on my bike, and scrapedmy knee. It's now infected. What do I do?

Question

Its not deep, just wide. Peroxide isnt working. I'm scared because it's infected. Please help! :)

Answer 1

  Just go to Wal-mart or some similar store and get some antibiotic ointment or cream.  The off brand is not expensive.  Just use it a couple of times a day, keep it clean and covered.  It should heal without any problems.

Answer 2

First of all, how many times a day are you cleaning it?

For a big scrape, washing with warm soap and water several  times a day will wash off the dead tissue and the infected secretions.  Put some antibiotic cream over it and cover with a band aid.

If you want to, and are not allergic to iodine, buy a bottle of Betadine solution to put on your knee after it's newly washed and clean.  It is a rusty color- can look like blood, but don't let that scare you.  It's a great antimicrobial.  Paint it on with a cotton ball, just dab it on, let it dry a bit, then do the antibiotic thing and make sure the band aid is big enough to cover all edges of the scrape.

Do this everyday for at least a week.  If there is no improvement, you will need to see the doctor.

At night, once you have taken off the band aid to clean it, let it open to the air after you put on the betadine,  to air it out.  Then when you are ready for bed, apply antibiotic and band aid to protect the sheets and the scrape.