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[nenjin]

I took a spill off a bike and the sprocket stabbed me pretty good in the ankle. The wound is probably 1/4 inch deep, a little smaller than the eraser of a pencil.

I washed it out, use a disinfectant and sterilzed with rubbing alcohol.

The reason I'm concerned though is, after several hours the bleeding had not stopped. I've gone through several bandages now and while it bleeds slowly, it eventually seeps through.

I'd normally call ask a nurse or my local doctor, but I'm outside the U.S. An apothecary gave me some "stitch" banadges and told me to pinch the wound so it would close.... But it's not been very effective so far.

If anyone has expertise in this area, I'd appreciate a recommendation. The internet says stitches are not usually recommended for puncture wounds....but it also says if 10 mins of pressure doesn't stop the bleeding, I should see a doctor.

[Fniff]

Oh dear. He's been offline for 40 minutes or thereabouts.
I hope Nenjin's okay.

[Reudh]

Here is my idea.

Go to a doctor.

In case you can't find a doctor:

Go to the Casualty wing of your local hospital.

In case you're stuck and can't get to the Casualty wing on your own or with someone else:

Call an ambulance.

I'm gonna assume you're American, hence not seeing a doctor right away, you might just have to wing the costs if it hasn't stopped bleeding. An injury that's that profuse is a serious risk.

[nenjin]

I'm alive!

Like I said, it's not a big wound, I just figured...you know, it should stop bleeding by now.

Going to a clinic tomorrow I think. It hurts enough I think I should get it checked out. Feels like I've been kicked in my ankle with a steel toed boot.

[gimlet]

When was your last tetanus shot?  If it's been a long time (like over 5 years), you might wanna go to the Dr anyway 'cause tetanus is no fun...

[nenjin]

Yeah....that was the other part. Can't recall when I last had one, but I know how much tetanus shots hurt and I'm pretty sure I haven't had one in forever. The sprocket had the usual amount of grease on it, so I doubt there was any rust. But I don't know how much dirt was on it before it stabbed me.

[nenjin]

A bit of hypochondria on my part I think. Today it's more like a normal wound, and surprisingly hurts much less than it did yesterday. Thanks for people's concern.