Antibiotics

[LifeisaGarden]

The doctor gave me Cephalexin for my thumb for prevention of infection. My wound isn't infected but he said it could get infected.

I didn't get it filled because I'm not all about taking an antibiotic for prevention. But now I'm wondering if I should get it filled & take it. Maybe I'll just call my GP. :confused:

Do you take antibiotics everytime the doctor gives them to you? It seems like to me they dish them out to people way too often when they aren't needed.

[bleys]

how deep is the cut?

wouldn't peroxide be just as efficient?

[g5jamz]

With the MRSA out there and other stuff going on...I'd just do it.

You do a lot of stuff with your hands which is why you wash them constantly. If it were your chest or somewhere that's not constantly exposed and touching things like lightswitchs and doorknobs that EVERYONE touches...I'd be less concerned.

It's a thumb. An opposable one at that. Take the meds.

[Darth Biscuit]

The doctor gave me Cephalexin for my thumb for prevention of infection. My wound isn't infected but he said it could get infected.

I didn't get it filled because I'm not all about taking an antibiotic for prevention. But now I'm wondering if I should get it filled & take it. Maybe I'll just call my GP. :confused:

Do you take antibiotics everytime the doctor gives them to you? It seems like to me they dish them out to people way too often when they aren't needed.

I've actually encountered quite the opposite... I have a bad sinus infection once or twice a year and if I go to the Dr it's like pulling teeth now to get them to give you an antibiotic. Which in my case is the only thing that will help me. I know a lot of people don't follow instructions and don't take the whole prescription (like my wife :( ) but I always do.

In the case of a cut like that, I'm kinda surprised that they gave you an antibiotic... a good cleaning after the wound then keeping it clean should keep it OK.

[g5jamz]

Sinus infections are different. You'd have some docs issuing out quinolones (super antis) to fight off something simpler antis would take care of.

[TheSaint]

i just rub dirt on it

[mmmbeans]

if you take them, take all of them. don't stop halfway through.

[LifeisaGarden]

how deep is the cut?

wouldn't peroxide be just as efficient?

I was told that peroxide is not good for wounds. Not sure if it's true or not. I use Betadine to clean wounds these days.

With the MRSA out there and other stuff going on...I'd just do it.

You do a lot of stuff with your hands which is why you wash them constantly. If it were your chest or somewhere that's not constantly exposed and touching things like lightswitchs and doorknobs that EVERYONE touches...I'd be less concerned.

It's a thumb. An opposable one at that. Take the meds.

See, that's what I started thinking about last night and then I ended up having a dream that my thumb got infected and it had to be amputated.

I've actually encountered quite the opposite... I have a bad sinus infection once or twice a year and if I go to the Dr it's like pulling teeth now to get them to give you an antibiotic. Which in my case is the only thing that will help me. I know a lot of people don't follow instructions and don't take the whole prescription (like my wife :( ) but I always do.

In the case of a cut like that, I'm kinda surprised that they gave you an antibiotic... a good cleaning after the wound then keeping it clean should keep it OK.

I had the same experience in March when I had a sinus infection. I went for antibiotics and doc told me he thinks a good nasal decongestant and using a neti pot 4 times a day (1 tsp baking soda & 1 tsp kosher salt per pint of warm water) was more effective than antibiotics in most cases. And sure nuff, I did what he said and I was better in like 3 days!

[g5jamz]

It's not so much the infection you get in your thumb...if it gets in your bloodstream it's just dangerous.

Not to freak you out, but a buddy of mine got really bad poison ivy. No biggie right? Well...your skin is your first line of defense against infection. He got MRSA through the wounds and it traveled all over his body. Almost lost an eye and had to have multiple surgeries on it. Lost 50lbs and was in the hospital for weeks fighting it off. Messed him up royally. I treat hand wounds (deep ones) with a bit more respect nowadays.

[Ja Rhule]

Cut your thumb off... Problem solved.

[LifeisaGarden]

how deep is the cut?

wouldn't peroxide be just as efficient?

It's pretty deep considering it's just a thumb & there's not much meat on a thumb. It's all the way to the bone and at an angle as well.

[Panthro]

My gf is pretty cautious about prescribing antibiotics when they are going to be used from a precautionary standpoint.

[JJlovesthePanthers]

Peroxide is great with wounds. I would just clean it with peroxide every day and save your prescription for a time when you might need your antibiotics for something else.