AboutDr. Tara Kompare, Pharm.D. Expertise I am a Doctor of Pharmacy and I am available to answer a variety of questions related to children's health and medicine ranging from the treatment of colic and cradle cap to allergies and acne. I am also the creator of the website "The Medicine Mom" at www.themedicinemom.com. Parents can e-mail me questions, read my monthly articles, and enjoy a laugh at "The Funny Farm."
Experience I am a Doctor of Pharmacy and mother of two wonderful girls. I work in a busy outpatient pharmacy clinic where I have the unique opportunity to counsel every patient that comes to my window.
Publications:
1)Drug Topics, Feb. 2006: "Why a Kiddie Corner Makes Sense"
2)Pharmacy Times,Date TBA, "How to Help Parents Cope with Colic
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Old Dominion University 1997
Doctor of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University 2002
Question My 7 year-old son had a pretty bad bike accident 5 days ago and scraped pretty much his entire left knee. We cleaned the knee with soap & water and with peroxide. We try to keep it uncovered when he is at home and it seems like it starts to heal and a scab starts to form. We have covered it when he goes to daycare and plays on his baseball team to try to keep it somewhat clean. However, when we remove the bandage in the evening there is a white-light green milking substance coming from the scrape. The area is not warm and it is not red around the scrape. We are just wondering if there is something else that we should be doing to help in the healing process. Any suggestions?
Also, it seems to be very painful whenever he tries to bend the knee which we are sure it is when the scab starts to form it is breaking or cracking whenever he bends the knee.
Thank you for your help and time.
Answer Hi Karissa,
It sounds like it is probably infected so I would try using some Neosporin ointment according to the package instructions. If, after 3-5 days, the area looks the same and is oozing with pus, then he should probably visit the Dr. just to make sure he does not need a stronger antibiotic.
I just finished a column about MRSA and it is always important to have a skin infection checked out if your attempts at home don't work out. Just make sure he keeps it covered whenever he goes to a public place, especially while playing sports and in the locker room since bacteria (ie. MRSA) like to invade open wounds.
