Skin Infection from IV/IM use. Advice please

[BTHprob]

about two years ago SWIM  moved from the east coast to the west coast. An IV heroin user for about 4 years. No health problems occurred while living on the east coast using powdered dope. After about one year of IV use of black tar veins became unusable and SWIM began shooting into the smaller vessels on the top of her arm. Some shots where missed and went into the skin/mussels. This quickly began to form infections And necrosis ( what some refer to as flesh eating bacteria). Large chunks of dead skin began to appear which she would scrape off with her fingers with the aim of removing the infection.  Liberal use of antibiotic ointment (neosporin) has appeared to stop the infection and some healing has began. However an area of about 4"/4" on the arm remains disfigured, depressed about a .25 inch, red the wound looks like a bad burn with many layers of skin gone.

SWIM has discontinued IV/IM use of the apparently bacteria riddled black tar heroin and wants to know what can be done to improve and or expedite the healing process. Will she forever have this large burn like scar on her arm? Can anything be done to improve the cosmetic appearance?

I thank any and all for your input. I know the obvious answer is "go to a DR" but without health insurance and a strong will to maintain anonymity SWIM would like any advice, expert or other on the topic.

Thanks

[caregiver222]

First of all you have a potentially life-threatening situation. It is nonsense about "maintaining anonymity". Secondly it is an untruth that you need health insurance to be treated in the United States if you have no money.. It's an urban myth. There are clinics everwhere that treat on the basis of ability to pay. In hospitals there is thre Hill-Burton act which mandates the hospital eat the bill for indigent patients. Curiously, there is a method of regenerating skin using small-intestine-pig mucosa (Discover magazine did an article), that the Veteran's Administration has been experimenting with to resture skin from battle wounds.

[helplessangel]

Wow, that sounds painful and dangerous. I don't have insurance either but, that definitely sounds like a Dr issue. Do you have an er in your area that can help with insurance stuff? In my city, there is an er you can go to and they will treat and sign you up with financial assistance. Because, from what I've heard of that flesh eating bacteria, they have to pack it with a bleach substance. Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong about that. But yes, a doc is needed in this case. Please keep us updated on progress.