Question

I had a scratch in my leg. Instead of the wound to heal it became bigger please what should i use to heal it faster

Answer 1

Sorry — that sounds worrying. If a scratch is getting larger instead of healing it may be infected or have spreading inflammation (cellulitis) and needs prompt care. I can help you triage — quick questions first:

- How long ago did you get the scratch?
- Is there pus or a bad smell? Any increasing pain, warmth, or red streaks up the limb?
- Do you have a fever, chills, or feel unwell?
- Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or take steroids?
- Is the wound deep or from a bite/dirty object? When was your last tetanus shot?

While you answer, do the following immediate care steps:

1. Clean: Gently wash with soap and water and irrigate with clean running water or sterile saline to remove debris.
2. Avoid repeated hydrogen peroxide or alcohol which can delay healing.
3. Apply a thin layer of an over‑the‑counter antibiotic ointment (e.g., bacitracin/polysporin) and cover with a sterile non‑stick dressing. Change the dressing daily or whenever it gets wet/dirty.
4. Keep the limb elevated and avoid pressure on the area.
5. For pain, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you can tolerate them.

When to seek medical care urgently (go to urgent care or the ER):
- The redness/sized area keeps spreading or is >5 cm (or you notice red streaks toward the heart).
- Increasing pain, warmth, swelling, pus, or foul smell.
- Fever, chills, or you feel systemically unwell.
- The wound is deep, from an animal/human bite, contains debris that won’t come out, or you have poor circulation/diabetes or are immunocompromised.
- You haven’t had a tetanus booster in >5 years for a dirty wound.

Why urgent care may be needed: you could require prescription oral antibiotics, drainage, professional cleaning, or a tetanus shot. If you want, tell me the answers to the questions above (or send a clear photo) and I’ll help decide how urgently you need to be seen.