[brenrich]

ok after 16 years i need my first bit of advice. i'm a c4/c5 quad. i've never had any skin problems in the entire 16 years i've had my wheels despite wearing jeans every day with back pockets intact and hardly having pressure relief. i know i've been very lucky.

2 weeks ago i got a bad matter spot due to an ingrowing hair folicle on my left hip albeit in a none pressure point and not on the bone. it burst the same day and healed immediately with a dark black scab. it has been totally dry for 2 weeks. i decided to stay off the hip at night because i didn't want any problems. the only time i'm on it is the 30-45 minutes in a morning for my bowel routine. 2 days ago i noticed that after my 45 minute stint the scab had 'dimpled' in slightly. i call my district nurse who has dealt with me since day one and i trust and she suggested that we remove the scab to see what is underneath to make sure there is nothing goind wrong and it can heal from the 'bottom up'.

i am still getting up as it is in a none pressure area when i'm sat. does this sound like the right way to do things? i cannot afford any time in bed.

[Susi]

Hi brenrich
Well for what its worth here goes for my advice. I am a C5/C6 incomplete for 4 years now. I have not had any pressure sores yet! From what i experienced in rehab though, was, no matter where the pressure sore is, any bit of pressure on it is likely to set the healing process back. I know it involves long stints in hospital, but a fellow quad friend of mine has had his frequently. He works at an Auto&Electric workshop. The way they did it, was to dress the sore 3-4x times daily at least. it took him about 6-7 months to get rid of it. So i think if you regularly clean it and cover, you should be able to carry on doing what you do. I would drop jeans and corduroys if i was you, they DO aggravate at the best of times.
Hope this helps
Susi

[brenrich]

Susi,

Thanks for the advice.

The scab started protecting the area straight away. It is actually dry and doesn't require dressing. The skin around the scab is slightly pink but bounces back immediately after touch. Though if the scab does come of and reveal anything untowards I'm sure dressing will be required.

I know all the rountines from being a lodge moor inmate.

The only reason that I am slightly worried is because of the 'dimple' effect.

Brendan

[john S.]

brenrich, on Jun 16 2007, 09:04 AM, said:

ok after 16 years i need my first bit of advice. i'm a c4/c5 quad. i've never had any skin problems in the entire 16 years i've had my wheels despite wearing jeans every day with back pockets intact and hardly having pressure relief. i know i've been very lucky.

2 weeks ago i got a bad matter spot due to an ingrowing hair folicle on my left hip albeit in a none pressure point and not on the bone. it burst the same day and healed immediately with a dark black scab. it has been totally dry for 2 weeks. i decided to stay off the hip at night because i didn't want any problems. the only time i'm on it is the 30-45 minutes in a morning for my bowel routine. 2 days ago i noticed that after my 45 minute stint the scab had 'dimpled' in slightly. i call my district nurse who has dealt with me since day one and i trust and she suggested that we remove the scab to see what is underneath to make sure there is nothing goind wrong and it can heal from the 'bottom up'.

i am still getting up as it is in a none pressure area when i'm sat. does this sound like the right way to do things? i cannot afford any time in bed.

Never remove a scab! Let a doctor do it if it must be done. Scabs are your body's barrier to infection.
If its black, it has a high blood content. Removing it could open a bleeding problem.
It sounds like a blood clot between layers of skin and it will slowly heal its way to the surface and fall off. I get them now and then on my feet when the hard spots in my shoes press on one spot.
If I were you, I'd ditch the jeans or at least the back pockets.
Good luck with whatever you decide. 16 years is a respectable record. keep up the good work.

john