Word To The Wise

[Westsider]

BE CAREFUL WITH OPEN WOUNDS

--Routinely search for cuts or scraps on your body

--Cover these wounds with a bandaid after applying an anticeptic cream

 

Although I am not an alarmist, I want to pass along what happened to me during my visit to Pattaya during Songkran. After my 5 days in Pattaya in April, I was heading to the BKK airport by taxi and encountered the "chills". So much so I accused the taxi driver of turning the AC up too much (yes I know that sounds delusional, as no taxi driver would ever do that). The chills continued on the plane along with a loss of appetite. So I just slept away my 24hr flight back to the states. 24hrs later I thought I was feeling better and regained interest in food somewhat. My feet and ankles aways swell-up during and after these transpacific flights and return to normal within a day or less. This time it was different. The calf of my right leg was swollen with red patches in the front and back of the shin. So off to the doctor I go 2 days after returing. At first my doctor thought it was a blood clot, but an ultrasound quickly dispelled this. Instead, they diagnosed a Staph infection or Cellulitis (the infection of the skin and the tissue below it). Antibiotic IV's were immediately applied, then a dual 7 day dosage of Keflex 500mg and Clindamycin 300mg antibiotics. Now, 3 weeks later and into a 14 day dosage of Bactrim DS 800/160 antibiotic, the swelling is greatly reduced and the red color is gone. The doctor says this is normal and more time will be needed for complete recovery. My fingers are crossed. So what caused this infection? The doctor says the incubation is only hours, not days, so what did I do earlier that fateful day. First, it appears I punctured the back of my calf somehow because a specific red spot the size of a pencil eraser took much more time to heal, indicating it was a much deeper wound. Unaware of this cut in my calf, did 2 things that day. One was taking a tg from beach road to a short time hotel on soi 13/1 and later back to my hotel. I don't believe this was the problem as I never experienced an std symptoms, unless the sheets in the short time hotel were contaminated somehow. Second, I walked through the Songkran masses for 2 hours getting soaked head-to-toe. Maybe I was a victim of "dirty water" reported by Nuff and others. I may never know the origin for sure, but I betting "dirty water" was the culprit. A word to the wise and be careful.

 

I have linked this with the Health Issues section, my mistake.

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/55964-be-careful-with-open-wounds/page__view__findpost__p__873881

Edited May 8, 2010 by Westsider

[Ducar]

I bashed my shin and it cut open in a GO-GO Bar so I ordered three shots of Tequila.

I drank two and used the other one to clean my wound. Washed it again back in the room and put antiseptic from my suitcase on it.

I was wearing shorts so it was a real ugly and dirty wound. I cleaned and dressed it after every shower for a week before it made a descent clean scab. This would have only taken a day or two max back at home.

[Helios]

Sorry to hear the bad news bro. I'm glad this happened after your visit to Pattaya. I learn my mistakes and lessons through other people, so I'll definitely take this as a huge lesson. I always travel with travelers insurance anyway.

[marko456]

I bashed my shin and it cut open in a GO-GO Bar so I ordered three shots of Tequila.

I drank two and used the other one to clean my wound. Washed it again back in the room and put antiseptic from my suitcase on it.

I was wearing shorts so it was a real ugly and dirty wound. I cleaned and dressed it after every shower for a week before it made a descent clean scab. This would have only taken a day or two max back at home.

 

I always travel with a tube of "neosporin" spelling anyway a triple antibiote cream. any minor cuts and scrapes get treated ASAP

M

[Westsider]

Neosporin was recommended by my doctor too. Speed is important as this infection travels fast and early treatment can avoid my prolonged treatment.

[Scumbag]

BE CAREFUL WITH OPEN WOUNDS

--Routinely search for cuts or scraps on your body

--Cover these wounds with a bandaid after applying an anticeptic cream

 

Although I am not an alarmist, I want to pass along what happened to me during my visit to Pattaya during Songkran. After my 5 days in Pattaya in April, I was heading to the BKK airport by taxi and encountered the "chills". So much so I accused the taxi driver of turning the AC up too much (yes I know that sounds delusional, as no taxi driver would ever do that). The chills continued on the plane along with a loss of appetite. So I just slept away my 24hr flight back to the states. 24hrs later I thought I was feeling better and regained interest in food somewhat. My feet and ankles aways swell-up during and after these transpacific flights and return to normal within a day or less. This time it was different. The calf of my right leg was swollen with red patches in the front and back of the shin. So off to the doctor I go 2 days after returing. At first my doctor thought it was a blood clot, but an ultrasound quickly dispelled this. Instead, they diagnosed a Staph infection or Cellulitis (the infection of the skin and the tissue below it). Antibiotic IV's were immediately applied, then a dual 7 day dosage of Keflex 500mg and Clindamycin 300mg antibiotics. Now, 3 weeks later and into a 14 day dosage of Bactrim DS 800/160 antibiotic, the swelling is greatly reduced and the red color is gone. The doctor says this is normal and more time will be needed for complete recovery. My fingers are crossed. So what caused this infection? The doctor says the incubation is only hours, not days, so what did I do earlier that fateful day. First, it appears I punctured the back of my calf somehow because a specific red spot the size of a pencil eraser took much more time to heal, indicating it was a much deeper wound. Unaware of this cut in my calf, did 2 things that day. One was taking a tg from beach road to a short time hotel on soi 13/1 and later back to my hotel. I don't believe this was the problem as I never experienced an std symptoms, unless the sheets in the short time hotel were contaminated somehow. Second, I walked through the Songkran masses for 2 hours getting soaked head-to-toe. Maybe I was a victim of "dirty water" reported by Nuff and others. I may never know the origin for sure, but I betting "dirty water" was the culprit. A word to the wise and be careful.

 

I have linked this with the Health Issues section, my mistake.

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/55964-be-careful-with-open-wounds/page__view__findpost__p__873881

One time I scraped my ankle and it was taking a long time to heal. I started to feel ill and thought the two may have been related so I went to the doctor. It turned out that the illness had nothing to do with the wound but he recommended that I use a powder antiseptic rather than the cream that I had been using. The wound healed quickly after I started using the powder. In a warm and moist climate it is best to use an antiseptic powder rather than a cream.

[MONOCHROMEMAN]

yep you got to mollycoddle yourself if you're cut. don't just leave it. . just use commonsense. go hotel, clean it out (running water), disinfect (any alcohol or iodine based) dry it and cover it.

 

i use the blue alcohol in every chemist; and the betadeine iodine .

 

if out and about, the strongest spirit you can find is an alt or bottled water.

 

songran, btw, is known for a increase in infections due to dirty water. i've known people drip doxycline for the week to avoid problems. this is a point of debate though.

[jasonbalmer]

Yes, indeed -- there are some nasty infection agents out there.

 

When traveling I carry this stuff (Techni-Care) with me. Works for wound care and even for a post-shag clean-up of the bits.

[Ducar]

I always travel with a tube of "neosporin" spelling anyway a triple antibiote cream. any minor cuts and scrapes get treated ASAP

M

 

Neosporin is in fact what I had in my suitcase. I agree it is good stuff.

The idea of the powdered type antibiotic is interesting we have used it on horses with great success as it helps stop bleeding too.

I use the Neosporin because it keeps the scab soft and flexible so it stays on longer and hurts less.

[Elcubanito]

There's a lot of bacteria in the streets of Pattaya that you are probably not in contact with back in your home country. The combination of dirt, smog and dog shit in the Sois is a deadly combination for open cuts and wounds.

 

Now, you add constant physical exertion (sex), decreased immune system and constant alcohol ingestion = a nice little infection/ bacteremia.

 

Your immune system is already extra busy with all the new bacteria you're ingesting with the Thai food.

 

Drink your multivitamins, cover your feet and tend to your scratches.

 

Most importantly; if anything just go to the doctor. Its fast, cheap and it can save your life.

[altec123]

I had the same thing back in January, prior to leaving for LOS. I woke up one morning with pain in my armpit. It was swollen and red. In addition, I was chilled and was also running a fever. Anyway, I went to the Emergency room at 4:00 on a Sunday morning and stayed in the hospital for three days on an antibiotic drip. I ended up having minor surgery to drain the infection and was on oral antibiotics for a week after I went home. Needless to say my trip was delayed. My Doctor thought my cellulitis / MERSA was caused by a blocked sweat gland. He also told me he was really happy that I went to the hospital, because I would have been in a bad way in another day if I had screwed around with it. He also said that people die all the time from this. If you get it go to the Doctor immediately!

[Westsider]

Follow-up on my cellulitis/staph infection. After 3 weeks of the oral antibiotic the infection appears gone, but the right leg calf/ankle is still slightly swollen. The pain is gone and I have returned to my jogging schedule without problem. However, my doctor says to get the swelling down I have to either 1) eliminate salt in my diet for one month, or 2) wear a compression sock for one month. I chose the compression sock , as I love salt! Apparently, the infection is gone, but the extra fluid from the swelling is not returning to the rest of the body, so the sock will force this. My doctor mentioned that if I should ever have a problem with my feet/ankle swelling during future long air flights that wearing a compression sock on each leg would greatly help this. Don't think I need this yet, but I'm going to file this idea away for later.

[youngbuck00]

Last year in Surat Thani, I walked over one of those metal sewage drains on the street/sidewalk and my left foot/leg fell through a hole all the way until the bottom of my knee was wedged into the drain, gashing the shit out of both sides of my leg! I had to jump on a train to Bangkok and fell asleep and didn't wash it for about 15 hours until I got to my hotel. I had huge scabs and a purple/yellow leg from the bruises for weeks but no diseases! I guess I got lucky! I should be more careful when I travel, I always think that my youthful resilience will overcome anything and everything.

[pubstud]

"Last year in Surat Thani, I walked over one of those metal sewage drains on the street/sidewalk and my left foot/leg fell through a hole all the way until the bottom of my knee was wedged into the drain, gashing the shit out of both sides of my leg! I had to jump on a train to Bangkok and fell asleep and didn't wash it for about 15 hours until I got to my hotel. I had huge scabs and a purple/yellow leg from the bruises for weeks but no diseases! I guess I got lucky! I should be more careful when I travel, I always think that my youthful resilience will overcome anything and everything."

 

Can't understand why you didn't go to the bathroom on the train and wash your leg. Anyway, glad to hear it was OK for you.

 

If anyone else on this forum ever falls down a sewage drain and cuts themselves, then do yourself a big favor and go to the nearest doc/hospital and get a tetnus shot (unless you have had a booster in recent months)

[Ducar]

You should have all of your shots BEFORE you travel.

[facer]

If you break the skin whilst in thailand, wash your hands first, (as unless you wash your hands every 20 minutes the staphylococcus aureus virus will be all over your hands) then wash the lesion immediately with soap and water, then apply either isopropyl alcohol (the blue alcohol available from any chemist) or better still an iodine solution (brand name betadine...available form any 7/11 or chemist) iodine is better as the alcohol as well as destroying bacteria also destroys new cell development, but it sterilises the wound which is key at this stage of the lesion. repeat this at least 3 times a day for the first few days. In Thailand do this with even the most innocuous scratch. Additionally, for the same reason as washing your hands, shower at least twice a day and change your shirt the same amount of times.

Edited June 23, 2010 by facer

[Bam_Bam]

I must just be incredibly lucky, years of steroid over use for treating psoriasis, has thinned my skin considerably, with all of the Hashing I do here, running around out in the scrub, with all of the nasty thorny things they have here, I always come back literally dripping blood.

 

I never worry about it while i'm on the run and just let the blood dry, when I get back from the run I wash it all down with some bottled water and i've not yet had an infection, maybe just lucky I guess

 

 

Bam Bam