Addies again

[lnr]

Considered opinion of consultant is that it's not actually broken, though he said that amount of bruising would normally indicate a fracture. He reckons it's actually just badly sprained, so I'm still to keep it strapped to the adjacent one for the meantime, but I have a much more convenient removable dressing thing, and a spare one so I can wash it and still always keep it strapped up.

Swollen foot is considered to be a result of walking oddly so I don't get the pumping effect from my calf muscles that I normally would and hence foot retaining fluid, not helped by recent hot weather. Doctor also reckoned I should cycle more slowly! Intend to attempt to go rescue bike after work anyway with help from August's car. And bought a new bike light at lunchtime, to replace the shattered one. I think it's the same as Mobbsy's.

Back at work this afternoon, achy but coping, and getting much sympathy in the corridors. Scab on my arm is beginning to flake off and itch and I'm having to try hard not to pick at it, since quite blatantly not all of it is ready to come off yet and I'd only make it worse. Awfully tempting though. I thought one was supposed to grow out of these things?

Comments

[j4.livejournal.com]

I thought one was supposed to grow out of these things?

I'd be very worried if I "grew out of" itching, it'd suggest I had some kind of major problem with sensation/nerves/etc.! Or do you mean that people are supposed to grow out of wanting to scratch when they itch? Maybe I'll grow out of wanting to eat when I'm hungry, too, in that case; that'd be handy.

[lnr]

I mean grow out of the fascination of picking bits of scab off. It's not just wanting to scratch an itch, cos it's still there even when it's not itching.

[j4.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see. Well, most of the adults I know still seem to want to pick scabs off, so I'm afraid it's probably not something one grows out of...

I think what makes me pick scabs off is not liking the feel of irregularities/lumps/etc. in my skin. Which is kind of ironic since picking at them, or squeezing spots etc., just makes them worse, so the irregularities get bigger. Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to convince my subconscious of this...

[juliet]

Interestingly, rats have the same impulse, very strongly - except they apply it as much to other rats as to themselves (i.e. they groom imperfections/lumps off each other's skin). They also generously extend this to their humans, in particular if said humans are wearing plasters. Rats have a thing about plasters.

[k425.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you aren't broken!

If the scab is getting itchy and you'd rather not keep pickpickpicking (and boy, do I know how tempting it is) keep putting moisturiser on it. E45 or something with vitamin D which is a good healer/scar minimiser.

If you're getting a swollen foot and you're not walking properly, I assume because it still hurts, has anyone suggested ankle exercises? Non-weightbearing exercises like circling your foot and tensing and pointing keep the muscles working so the fluid's pumped a bit better. Swimming's good too.

[ailbhe]

I can reduce the tempation to pick by filing the scab to smoothness with a fine emery board. That way it's still able to do its healing, but it's not pickable.

[sphyg.livejournal.com]

I'm resisting the urge to pull off large areas of peeling skin.

[damerell.livejournal.com]

I'm not. If I don't do it consciously I'll just do it unconsciously and make a mess of it.

[sphyg.livejournal.com]

Hello skin.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

getting much sympathy in the corridors

Not surprising - the damage looks pretty impressive! Ow ow ow. Nice to see you back, though.