Hospitalized after putting antibiotics on wound

After a traffic accident, a young man (18 years old, Hanoi ) suffered minor scratches on his shin and knee, about 5-6cm long. Thinking that this was just a small, superficial wound, he only gave first aid and did not take care of the wound properly.

Instead of going to a medical facility for examination and consultation, this young man listened to folk experience and used powdered antibiotics sprinkled directly on the wound. After about 2 weeks, the wound did not heal, and many red papules began to appear around his mouth.

The doctor prescribed hospitalization for monitoring and active treatment, but this young man still subjectively did not comply, choosing to self-treat at home with oral antibiotics.

After 5 days, the condition not only did not improve but also worsened, the wound oozed pus, was painful, limited mobility, and more and more red papules and blisters appeared. When he could no longer bear it, the young man returned to the hospital with a more severe infection, requiring strong antibiotics combined with intensive medical care at the hospital to prevent the infection from spreading.

According to MSc. Dr. Pham Thi Thu Hang, Department of Allergy, Immunology and Dermatology, Hospital E, in this patient's case, the cause of the skin infection was the invasion of bacteria through open wounds.

Improper hygiene such as arbitrarily using medicine sprinkled on the wound surface not only prevents the body's self-regeneration process but also risks irritating the skin, creating an anaerobic environment that helps bacteria grow more favorably.

Doctors warn that proper wound care plays an important role in preventing infection and promoting the healing process. As soon as a wound or injury occurs, the patient needs to clean the wound, use antiseptic solutions to remove dirt and bacteria, then wash the wound daily with saline, and keep the wound ventilated to facilitate the healing process.

In addition, people should absolutely not apply folk remedies such as sprinkling antibiotic powder, applying leaves or any other unverified ingredients on the wound. These methods are not only unhygienic but also increase the risk of infection. In particular, the arbitrary use of antibiotics without prescription can lead to antibiotic resistance, making treatment more difficult and complicated.

MSc. Dr. Pham Thi Thu Hang recommends that through this patient's case, it shows that even small wounds, if not treated properly, can lead to serious consequences.

People need to change their awareness, not to take skin wounds lightly, especially when there are unusual signs such as redness, swelling, pus discharge, increasing pain or fever, they need to go to a reputable medical facility immediately for examination and timely treatment. Do not be subjective with small wounds, because they can become a "gateway" for bacteria to invade, causing dangerous complications for the patient.