Scores of Sores

Soaking an infected sore

Many people come to me with medical needs. They are often beyond my abilities, but there are many basic things that I can help with. I try to explain and demonstrate as much as possible, so that people learn how to help themselves and others.

One common problem that kids come to me with is sores on their legs and feet, many of which are infected. Boys in particular have these--they play hard, tumble around in the dirt, and often aren't too careful about washing.

They get a cut or scrape or burn, a thorn in the foot, or they scratch and pick at an insect bite. Then this gets dirt in it, they don't wash, flies come by, and voilà, a perfect recipe for infection and pain.

Most of my neighbours don't know that keeping sores clean is essential for healing.

Boys with supplies to do their own wound care

My health group ladies have learned about the this, and they are teaching and showing others. So word is getting around. But there's still a lot of education to be done. 

Most of the time when kids come to me with sores, I explain to them (or their mothers) how to take care of them.

But in some cases where the sore is badly infected, or if it's a larger fresh wound, I do some care myself at first, soaking and cleaning, bandaging, providing antibiotics and/or painkillers if necessary. The kids come back every day or two. Then as things improve, they start taking care of the sores on their own. 

It's very satisfying to see the healing progress. And hopefully what they have learned through this will be of use throughout the rest of their lives.