THE THREE C'S OF PROPER WOUND CARE: NEOSPORIN

Although I bought this product back in August after falling in the bathroom, slipping and then hitting my foot against the bathtub to the point where a bone was protruding out of my left foot, it is not my first introduction to this product.  In fact, we always have Neosporin in our emergency first aid kit as well as in our medicine cabinet.  My mother as well as my grandparents also kept it handy for the cuts, scratches and other minor injuries that can occur, at home and on excursions.

Well, the bone protruding was no minor injury because it took months before I began to feel better.  Nevertheless, I have always appreciated Neosporin's healing results.  After the incident, we rushed to the emergency room where I received 12 stitches in my left foot.  The physician there recommended a podiatrist for follow-up considering it involved my foot and I have polyneuropathy in my legs, feet and hands.  Podiatrists are quite cognizant and familiar with this illness as well as other diabetic factors.

It turned out to be a great experience, though scary as well, to visit Dr. Hoyal, my podiatrist.  After assessing the damage and answering my questions, he began to clean the wound and then opened the scary drawer where all the medical tools were.  You know the ones that clank and look downright painful at a glance?  I was terrified as he also mentioned that eventually he would need to cauterize it.  More on that later.  Back to the drawer, I was surprised to see him pull out a large tube of Neosporin!  Before wrapping my foot in thick bandage, he put the ointment on the affected areas very lightly and instructed me to not wet my foot for at least two weeks.  That was interesting and incredibly difficult.  Thereafter, he recommended changing the bandage nightly or every other night and prescribed antibiotics as well, Keflex.  He suggested the Neosporin sparingly be used also after every bandage change.  We were told to keep it as dry as we could and clean.

My children helped me to follow Dr. Hoyal's instructions and though I felt very weak and just not well, I mostly rested and watched quite a few movies.  Hence, many movie reviews are forthcoming on epinions!  There was little else I could do since I am already wheelchair-bound and dealing with neuropathy.  So this injury left me very much the unhappy camper. 

The neuropathy proved almost a blessing because the doctor did cauterize my foot at least twice and the cleanings would have been enormously painful if I didn't have it.  The emergency doctors shared the exact sentiment the night in ER while they dug into the wound to clean it preparatory for the stitches. 

As my foot was slowly healing, I noticed the Neosporin was helping the wound heal through the process.  Soon, it was just the bandages and Neosporin each night after showering and cleaning my foot.  We used it faithfully and sparingly.  It lasted quite awhile, too.  And along with the prescribed antibiotics and about 5 trips to the podiatrist, three months later it looked as though it would heal without infection.  Very important for a diabetic.  There was a good chance for amputation if it became infected.  That was a major concern.

We indeed followed the three C's stated on their website; clean it, coat it, cover it.  And it worked.  Obviously, it was not the only factor in the care and healing of my foot but it was significant.  I can say that I really do love this ointment and believe it is more than useful, thus I wanted to write this review.  Then in my research, as well as a few drugstore visits, I discovered the other products Neosporin makes.  That is, it comes in spray form, packets, lip treatment and foot powder. 

Neosporin is worth more than its weight in goal, big time.  This 1 oz. tube has not run out yet and after the fall, I will never be without this ointment.  It is really a great, inexpensive (we paid approximately $4.59 for the tube) and effective ointment and an absolute must for your medicine cabinet, in your backpack or purse.  I highly and seriously recommend Neosporin. 

For more information on their products and the ingredients in this ointment, visit http://www.neosporin.com.  I hope this was a helpful review for you.  Thanks for reading and rating!

-Kaahu 2009