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Suggest Treatment For Wound On The Leg Post An Accident
Question: I changed shoes quickly in parking lot. I stepped on something quick but thought nothing of it. There are many drug users in the area. the first picture is what was in the lot the following day. when I got home less than an hour, I couldn't see a wound or blood. the second picture is of my foot the following day (after work). the last picture is from today (less than a week later). would that be from a dirty needle. there was no pain other than the initial feeling that I stepped on a rock or something. thank you.
Brief Answer:
You would know if you stepped on a used needle.
Detailed Answer:
Hello -
I looked at the two pictures. It occurred to me, looking at the picture of the parking lot asphalt, that it would be very noticeable if there was a used syringe lying around. And I don't see any narrow puncture wound on your foot.
If you stepped on a syringe with a needle, I think you would have known it. Most likely it was a small rock that you stepped on.
I would not be concerned about this incident.
I do not see a 3rd picture - only the first (parking lot) and second (bottom of foot).
You would know if you stepped on a used needle.
Detailed Answer:
Hello -
I looked at the two pictures. It occurred to me, looking at the picture of the parking lot asphalt, that it would be very noticeable if there was a used syringe lying around. And I don't see any narrow puncture wound on your foot.
If you stepped on a syringe with a needle, I think you would have known it. Most likely it was a small rock that you stepped on.
I would not be concerned about this incident.
I do not see a 3rd picture - only the first (parking lot) and second (bottom of foot).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
there is a small circle, not sure what it was from...that I noticed today. I didn't even look down at the asphalt. I was just concerned after reading online that needles don't always leave marks and aren't always felt...especially in the ER or hospital. thanks for your help
Brief Answer:
Where is the area that you are concerned about?
Detailed Answer:
I can see the 3rd picture now. Can you orient me to where the small circle you are concerned about it? Such as top, bottom, left, right, middle, etc.
Thanks
Where is the area that you are concerned about?
Detailed Answer:
I can see the 3rd picture now. Can you orient me to where the small circle you are concerned about it? Such as top, bottom, left, right, middle, etc.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
it is in the top half of the heel in the picture, about an inch away from the mole. it looks more like one layer of skin may have peeled back. I couldn't see a puncture.
Brief Answer:
No puncture wound seen.
Detailed Answer:
I don't see a puncture there either.
About getting stuck with a needle in the ER or hospital, that is a very different type of situation where there is a lot happening quickly and there are needles and scalpels in close proximity with multiple hands. I got a needle stick during a delivery of a baby where my hands and an obstetrician's were working closely together. And it happens during operations. But I can't see this as happening without realizing it from stepping on the ground.
No puncture wound seen.
Detailed Answer:
I don't see a puncture there either.
About getting stuck with a needle in the ER or hospital, that is a very different type of situation where there is a lot happening quickly and there are needles and scalpels in close proximity with multiple hands. I got a needle stick during a delivery of a baby where my hands and an obstetrician's were working closely together. And it happens during operations. But I can't see this as happening without realizing it from stepping on the ground.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you. I am assuming it would leave a very distinct mark and would be there days later. also for just future knowledge, do needle sticks or scratches have to be more than superficial to cause a risk?
Brief Answer:
I still think it is unlikely that an HIV contaminated needle stuck you.
Detailed Answer:
Regarding leaving a mark, if there was any kind of crush or bleeding of blood vessels then it might leave a bruise. Otherwise just a small puncture. It would be similar to the appearance if you have stuck yourself with a needle while sewing. But I don't think there would be a distinct mark days later.
Scratches can transmit HIV if they break the skin.
But looking at the scenario you described, I think it would be extremely unlikely that you would have stepped on a needle in a parking lot that punctured you. Even if the area of town you were in has a lot of drug use. It is much more likely that it was a stone or pebble. If the needle had gone into your foot, it would have likely stayed in your foot until removed.
I still think it is unlikely that an HIV contaminated needle stuck you.
Detailed Answer:
Regarding leaving a mark, if there was any kind of crush or bleeding of blood vessels then it might leave a bruise. Otherwise just a small puncture. It would be similar to the appearance if you have stuck yourself with a needle while sewing. But I don't think there would be a distinct mark days later.
Scratches can transmit HIV if they break the skin.
But looking at the scenario you described, I think it would be extremely unlikely that you would have stepped on a needle in a parking lot that punctured you. Even if the area of town you were in has a lot of drug use. It is much more likely that it was a stone or pebble. If the needle had gone into your foot, it would have likely stayed in your foot until removed.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
OK thanks. There was no mark or scratch that showed blood, or at least that I saw. The orange cap the next day really scared me. so, based on this situation only, medical attention and testing is not needed?
Brief Answer:
No, don't need to be tested.
Detailed Answer:
I looked at that orange object again, and while I don't know what it was for, it is much too wide and bulky for a syringe needle cap. Syringe needle caps are round and narrow.
I don't think you need to be tested as a result of this incident.Brief Answer:
Glad to help.
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad if I can help. You are not alone in fears about getting HIV from things. What we are learning now is that the risk of getting it from "casual exposure", even to objects that were contaminated with HIV, is much much lower than we once thought.
Have a good evening!
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
No, don't need to be tested.
Detailed Answer:
I looked at that orange object again, and while I don't know what it was for, it is much too wide and bulky for a syringe needle cap. Syringe needle caps are round and narrow.
I don't think you need to be tested as a result of this incident.Brief Answer:
Glad to help.
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad if I can help. You are not alone in fears about getting HIV from things. What we are learning now is that the risk of getting it from "casual exposure", even to objects that were contaminated with HIV, is much much lower than we once thought.
Have a good evening!
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You were very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my complaints!
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