18 August 2022
At the urging of Francine the LVN, we sent Dr. Tong a few images of the skin around Joyce's wound on Wednesday. And today Dr. Tong emailed us to say she had consulted with Dr. Samsoa, a dermatologist, who had a suggestion.
The Desitin wasn't working. And it's a greasy mess. I've been scrubbing the bedspread where Joyce slides off it and it still isn't clean. But it hasn't helped her either. She has open wounds on the skin around the wound, which she has not had before.
It's a puzzle why this developed. There's nothing covering those areas to bother them. The one below her wound may be a result of the water retention in her lower leg. But the one on the side? No idea.
We didn't have this problem when she was having those hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Her skin was perfect.
Dr. Samsoa suggested Clobetasol, a strong steroid cream to treat itching, swelling and irritation. Joyce has the itching and swelling. I have the irritation. So Dr. Tong prescribed it and we picked it up at the pharmacy late this afternoon.
You apply the cream directly to the skin and rub it in. Which I just did tonight before Joyce hit the sack. Twice a day. So Kristine can do it tomorrow.
At the same time Dr. Samsoa recommended a moisturizing cream. I'm not sure how this works with the Clobetasol but I have a hunch Francine will explain it all to me tomorrow.
We bought a jar of CeraVe cream (creams, he said, are better than lotions), which cost about twice as much as the Clobetasol.
And if you think I'm complaining again, let me tell you Joyce made chicken enchiladas for dinner with some rice on the side and it was wonderful.