I am an American college student currently studying abroad in Italy. I was attacked on the street three nights ago, and at the top of my ear was torn from the outside of the lobe inwards, for maybe half of a centimeter. The hospital gave me stitches (maybe two or three), but nobody spoke English or could provide decent info. Are stitches enough? Will it ever look normal? How do I properly clean the stiches? Thank you!
Answers (4)
From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
It sounds as if it is simply dry skin or perhaps dried betadine solution. You may want to consider exfoliation but I would first discuss this with your surgeon to avoid disrupting the repair.
Doing what you suggest can lead to potentially disastrous consequences, including serious infection and another keloid that could be worse. You should wait until you have the resources to have this corrected by a surgeon.
If it has already been 5 weeks the procedure, ice will no longer bring down the swelling. You should massage the area with vitamin E to soften the scar tissue. There are a few other options to bring down the raised scar such as steroid injections...
