Promoting foot healing?

[lifeinsong]

So I've gashed the side of my foot open a bit. It's not swollen or agonizingly painful, and I'm getting it looked at by a GP tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I can't walk on it (because that causes bleeding and some soft tissues to pop out a bit), and I'm keeping it clean and bandaged.

My question is: What can one do to help promote healing in

Comments

[rubyspirit]

Rest it ... I broke an ankle and use an electric wheelchair while at work. It healed up a lot quicker than I thought it would.

[daoine_o]

be careful of infection, especially...the gp should help take care of that (will probably prescribe antibiotics prophylactically since our feet are of course so close to the ground!) and also, how recent was your last tetanus shot?

but meanwhile, keep it clean (but not cleaning it so often you irritate it more!) lightly covered so air can get to it to aid healing, and yes, rest it as often as you can...

also perhaps, vitamin e to keep it from scarring/thus stretching the skin uncomfortably once it's more healed.

good luck! :)

[grace_om]

As much as you can, sit with it elevated. That way gravity is on your side :-)

[hrafn]

What I've found really good for healing cuts and scrapes and other sorts of open wounds is to soak them in hot salt water for 15-20 minutes twice a day. You can either make a bowl/cup of the stuff and dip the wounded part in, or k a cotton ball in a cup of water, then put it over the wound, re-dunking it when it cools down. I use a heaping teaspoon of salt to a coffee mug of hot water.

I also keep the injury covered, with a thin layer of honey spread over the cut, but the salt water does much more for me than honey alone would.

[amberskyfire]

I agree with the comments that say to sit with it elevated as much as possible. Also, you can do self "stitches" so to speak. Lay your wound in the sunlight for twenty minutes if possible. Wash it well with soap and water and then wipe with some rubbing alcohol. Once it's totally dry, you can press the sides of your cut together and seal it with a thin line of super glue.

It's not natural, but it's a lot better than getting an infection and it may be what the doctor does anyway.