First Aid Cream burnt my sons hand!!!!

KAMRAY

Need some advice-I am worried sick.

My 3yr old staved his fingers on Fri afternoon after a fall. When putting on a bandage to protect his hand from further knocks he asked me to put on the "magic cream"(antiseptic cream) contained in the kit. I checked the expiry date and instruction and put a little on his fingers to appease him before putting on his bandage.

A few hours later before putting him to bed I took off the bandage and noticed that the skin between his fingers was wrinkly, like he had spent too much time in the bath, and assuming it was due to the moisture of the cream I put him to bed.

By the morning his hand was a ghastly sight. The insides of his fingers went purple in colour and badly blistered, but he was not in too much pain. I took him to hospital, the xray was fine and the advised to leave wound uncovered and visit my gp if it got worse.

Last night some of the blisters had come off leaving the skin underneath very pink, raw and painful. I had to put the bandage on again to protect his hand.

I am awaiting a call from the nurse at the gps surgery, but do not know if I should also contact the manufacturer of the cream. I am extremely upset and angry at what has happened. He has never suffered from any skin conditions/allergies and I have used antiseptic creams (other brands) on him before with no unwanted side affects.

The tube itself says the cream is recommended for cuts, burns and nappy rash!!!!!!!!! and I would hate for any child to go thru what my boy is going thru. What should I do?

Update - Doctor called and I am going to take him and the cream to the surgery this afternoon.

Bun

I do hope your son gets better soon. If you've used that exact tube on him before then I'm a bit stumped. If not, maybe it was part of a dodgy batch? These things are meant to go on open wounds so shouldn't have reacted like that. Have any of the active ingredients been changed (ie new and improved) that could have caused a reaction? Best to contact the manufacturer with the batch no etc to be on the safe side. If you had to check the expiry date (let's face it, you can keep these things for years) maybe it was a batch that had been withdrawn some time after you bought it?

Maybe take some photos/digital photos to help them with a diagnosis.

skintchick

It could be an allergy - what do the doctors say?

essexhoney

i would contact the manufacturer definatly! Your son should not have had to go through that and i sincerly hope he is better soon! I hope you get to the bottom of it soon I know how worrying things like this can be

KAMRAY

Hi,
Went to the doctors this afternoon. The nurse was suprised to see that my son had taken such a reaction to the cream. I asked if he could be tested to identify what ingredient he is allergic to, if any, but she advised they did not have such a facility but she would take a note of the ingredients in his medical notes? Do not know if I can get this checked out myself, but to be honest do not know where to start. Was given a supply of dressing and bandages and I have to go back to gp on Friday.

Also contacted the manufacturer, who want me to send the tube of cream back to them for testing. Should I send it to them to follow up or not?

Bun

I'm sorry you can't get the allergy tests. Yes I would, just in case this happens to somebody else. You could label it clearly (indelible pen) and make notes of any numbers on it, and send it recorded if you are worried about a 'cover up'.

It may be that it was contaminated with something else in the factory - often things say nowadays that they are from factories that also handle nuts for example.

I would maybe do a small patch test somewhere when you buy another tube, so you know if it is ok in an emergency.

Mandles

KAMRAY wrote:

Hi,
Went to the doctors this afternoon. The nurse was suprised to see that my son had taken such a reaction to the cream. I asked if he could be tested to identify what ingredient he is allergic to, if any, but she advised they did not have such a facility but she would take a note of the ingredients in his medical notes? Do not know if I can get this checked out myself, but to be honest do not know where to start. Was given a supply of dressing and bandages and I have to go back to gp on Friday.

Also contacted the manufacturer, who want me to send the tube of cream back to them for testing. Should I send it to them to follow up or not?

Yes , i would send it back for them to test. Send recorded delivery & take pictures of his fingers. Honey is a fantastic healer & antiseptic, especially the really expensive one beginning with m(someone will let you know what its called, ive forgotten) . Put that on his fingers & that will help(i smothered my kids in it when they had chicken pox & hardly any scars & used it in nursing home to heal ulcers on legs, its great!).
Hope he gets better soon. You should get compensated by medical company & always mention it when he goes in for ANY treatment in future. all the best!