HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Swelling In Arm Caused By Needle Puncture Wound

Posted on Fri, 29 Jan 2016

Question: im a drug addict(meth) i started using meth with a needle and now my arm is swelled up and feels hot it hurts to move my wrist. obviously i dont know what i am doing and now i have infection. what can i do besides go to the er. what types of antibiotic works for this? i know bactrim and keflex is there anything else i can do or take to start the healing process?

Answered by Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Probably phlebitis; do as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in Healthcaremagic.com.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.

I understand your concern.
In cases of intravenous drug addicts, this is quite common due to inflammation of the superficial veins. It is called phlebitis. If it is extensive as per your history, I would suggest the following-
Ice compression or alternate hot and cold compression.
Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aceclofenac.
Application of heparin gel locally.
Antibiotics like coamoxyclav.

It might take a week to resolve. If the healing is not satisfactory even after a week, visit a doctor for further management.

Hope I have answered your question.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Regards.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T