On sunday I burnt my arm whilst dutifully providing the "adult help" to my 10 year old who was baking cup cakes. It wasnt a bad burn by any means. I held it under water for the longest time possible and went about my day.
On Monday, the burn was warm to touch and red. By Tuesday the skin on either side was definitely angry...and it felt like the wound was still burning.
A trip to the gp sent me to A&E for cellulitis. I was given a week course of flucloxacillin 500mg four times a day to be taken on an empty stomach.
I was told patients on steroids have an impaired healing response.
I had never taken flucloxacillin... although I did mention my father (who has stephen Johnson's symdrome) is severely allergic.
A day into the antibiotics I developed severe stomach cramps and then vomiting. I have never felt so unwell. I had the most awful headache and the usual pressure around my eyes and temples was so bad I couldn't open them!
Apparently some people do not tolerate flucloxacillin on an empty stomach. It has a tendency to react with paracetamol.
Just thought I would post this here...incase anyone finds themselves in a similar situation!
Thankfully I am over the worst and look forward to getting back to normal...before my boys pile up more housework for me!
Hope you're feeling a little better now. A scary experience! I do wish the gp had listened to you when you told him your father was allergic to that antibiotic, and then maybe he could have played safe and prescribed an alternative. I do wonder sometimes.
What a pain. I have taken Flucloxacillin several times (alas) with no problem and it is an excellent anti-biotic for skin issues - provided that you’re not allergic! Glad you’re recovering - burns are so nasty 🌺
I do wish doctors wouldn't just dismiss the patient's reports of familial or previous problems with drugs. It would save them and us a lot of unpleasantness!
Although to be fair, not having a red flag on my notes for i.v. diazepam did mean I was in a safe environment when it triggered severe atrial fibrillation and asystoles of up to 7 seconds and there was no messing about getting a pacemaker which I did need!
Goodness me! You were very fortunate to have been in the best place for that to happen.
The human body is very complex. I dont have stephen Johnsons syndrome...but I am pretty sensitive i.e. i have always reacted badly to anaesthesia, having had to come round hours later than expected requiring warm iv fluids and heating blankets.
I do have notes on my file regarding anaesthetic...and the gp has marked the reaction to flucloxacillin.
It is not a hereditary condition, but apparently genetic changes that increase the risk of developing the condition can be passed from one generation to the next.
For my dad...his initial reaction was bought on by flucloxacillin.
Sorry about your experience with the burn - I personally wouldn't be without Lavender essential oil in my kitchen - brilliant for burns - after the initial soaking in cold water to cool. Dry the skin and apply liberally, massage gently in with the fingertips and allow to dry on the skin. Repeat as often as you remember and the new skin underneath will toughen up so you don't have that really raw sore weeping when the top layer starts to peel off. As an added bonus, the fragrance has a wonderful calming influence. I use it on cuts as well. It is known for supporting cell regeneration. And it's much more effective than pharmaceutical creams.
I have always thought that essential oils should not be used undiluted, either with other oils or with water, and, above all, not on burns.
Home remedies are fine for mild first degree burns - but please don't use them for more serious burns or where the skin is broken. Then you need a medical opinion.
Actually essential oils of tea tree and lavender CAN be used undiluted quite safely I and plenty of others I know do so all the time. I personally would be happy to use lavender oil on quite sizeable burns and I know that , for me, it would be very effective at promoting rapid healing. However other people should only do what they are comfortable with. Pharmceutical companies will not recommend it because they cannot make any money out of it - (they are not allowed to patent natural substances) - therefore they will not bribe the medical profession to recommend it either!
There are other oils which have to be applied mixed with a carrier oil and one has to be very careful about applying the citrus ones to the skin as they can enhance the burning effect of the sun on the skin.
Tea tree dabbed on a mouth ulcer with a cotton bud is very effective at getting rid of it but it doesn't taste very nice!
Both. Boots sell it, but try to go for the best organic one you can afford. It's worth its weight in gold in my opinion. Tea tree oil is a very good anti septic - I understand it was issued as standard to the armed forces during WWll in the days before anti biotics. But it's much better because it's used topically and doesn't screw up your entire system like flucloxicillin.
Another thing for burns which people swear by is having an aloe vera plant in the kitchen and just breaking off a succulent leaf and squirting the released liquid directly onto the burn. I've never tried it, myself and I find it hard to believe that it could be any better than the essential oil of lavender, but others on here may well have their own opinions on this based on their own experience.
I keep other essential oils in the kitchen too -a drop or two of peppermint or orange (or the other citrus ones) add superb flavours to the likes of fudge or shortbread biscuits. Rose geranium is good too for beautifully fragrant meringues.
A few drops of lavender on your pillow at night is calming and relaxing if you have had a tough day. I always have some in the kitchen and on my bedside table - and a few drops from time to time in the wardrobe helps to keep the moths away. And I always leave a little bottle for use by visitors in the guest bedrooms
Sounds like you are well versed! I am a big fan of organic wherever possible...even more so.since my diagnosis. I shall defo get some to keep at home! Once again thank you for taking time out to reply in such detail!
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