Thanks, but no, they’re not going to have a walk-in clinic in my Walg’s. *frownie face* Boo hiss.
Felt silly because everyone else was in shorts and t-shirts - while I, of course, had on a Halloween sweatshirt with black wool gloves to match, lol. The hands have gotten pretty awful looking.
I was on my own - so spent what for me is a fortune ($60), just trying to get some better stuff to work with. Started with a non-soap hand cleanser (Cetaphil), thinking my normal soap might be adding to the misery. I was looking for any kind of medicated soap - I thought there was something like PhisoHex or Phex (??) that other kids used to use when I was a teenager, but I hadn’t used. Wasn’t sure if it is prescription, but couldn’t find it.
Then found an antimicrobial skin cleanser for scrubbing at hospitals - it’s red, called HibiClens. Also found a Neosporin cream instead of ointment, but got more ointment, too. Oh, and a first aid gel called StaphASeptic that cost the most, but sounded pretty good - and it has tea tree oil in it, which nothing else did. That one is the only product that mentioned MRSA, so I grabbed it.
Also need more gauze and realized I still need lots more, because these things are oozing and need to be covered, but changed out a lot. Also, a 2nd pair of the cotton therapeutic gloves, so I can wear one while the other pair is washed and dried.
Two days ago, I couldn’t wear them because of the terrible itching in the webs between my fingers - plus just having the gloves next to the inflamed skin on the outside (topside) was really bad, too. But I wrapped my hands and put them on, then the wool gloves over them, when I took the taxi a couple of days ago. That was more for skin protection than how they “looked.” I had gotten the 2nd hand’s breakout after the taxi ride before that one.
Anyway, I also read the info at the earthclinic link and decided to try the “turmeric” home remedy just for grins. I don’t have the kind of sores they described, but they said it was for MRSA-type infections. I just figured “what the hey?”
The many FReepers who’ve “talked” with me about this who have had the same thing have doctors who didn’t know for sure what it was, so I’m not the only one in the dark.
Not sure yet what to report about the turmeric, other than it tastes like doo-doo. It has only been one full day that I’ve taken the dosages. Not going to put anything weird right on these messes, but I can swallow a little spice that I already had - can’t believe it tastes so good in paella (my “poor man’s saffron”) but so bad by itself.
I know that the swelling went down and the pain isn’t as bad, but it all still looks horrific. Will reserve judgment until I’ve done a few days of my clean, clean, clean routine. And I love my bionic hand - the one with the really bad palm side finger infections - as it’s now usable again, with gauze wrap, a white glove (my Mickey Mouse hands, lol) and then a disposable plastic one on top, for in the kitchen. I can once again turn on faucets and open bottles and cut up veggies!
Oops, spoke too soon. Finger webs starting to itch badly again, even with the anti-itch stuff on them. Arrgh. BBL!
Is your problem a fungus? There’s an herbal - shredded tree bark (bought by the ounce at health stores), but I can’t recall the name. Two words, kind of exotic sounding. I’ll try to find it. I used to have a baggie of it in my kitchen cabinet.
We bought some for a guest, who had itching on his face.
yes, phisohex, that we knew and loved in our childhoods, has gone behind the shelf on prescription only - currently about $35/bottle even with ins. it worked too well, and has become the scapegoat for the runaway mrsa and other nasties like a.baummanni and p.letoula (well you know it’s easier for the meds to blame a soap instead of decades of filthy hospital housekeeping practices)
I am fearful this condition will get into your bloodstream. I hope after you get your checks you can go see a doctor. Have you contacted the Salvation Army? they might be a resource for a referral to a low-cost clinic.