cut hand

by Alicia
(Dahab, Egypt)

I’m a 22 year old female, in Egypt for 2 months at the moment on a university expedition. I cut my hand on a screw head on a pick up truck a week yesterday, there appears to be no infection present although there was some pus a couple of days ago, it is cleaned twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and a red coloured disinfectant (I’m not sure what it is). The cut is still fairly open but seems to be half as deep as it was originally. The cut is however placed between my thumb and forefinger so is constantly under movement. It is bandaged with gauze after cleaning to allow it to air but still protect it from dirt etc. I was just wondering whether you could estimate the time in which I should go back to diving in the water or at least how I could possibly better the attention I am giving it. I’ve heard that although the saltwater cleans the wound it also keeps it open? I do not know what to do with it. I am an asthmatic on Seretide inhalers twice daily and antihistamine Cetirizine10mg daily. I’m not currently drinking or smoking. No history of non-clotting blood. Generally I am in good health. I would appreciate your help with this matter but I know you are probably very busy.

Care Of Your Cut

Salt water should cause no harm to your cut. In fact saline (salty water) is usually used to clean wounds. As for how long it will take for the cut to heal, this really depends on the size of the cut and whether it becomes infected. You have done all the right things to help prevent this from happening. As for whether you can go diving with this, without seeing it, I cannot really comment other than to say the healing process should be well underway by now as the injury was sustained a week ago.




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