What gives with Cobalt?

[sandiapaul]

Had your blood sugar level checked recently? Diabetics take longer to heal.

I know.

[lynnl]

You know, the truth is I've never been able to tell any difference in my healing experiences with these minor cuts and scrapes, with respect to my first aid efforts.
Seems like they either get infected, or they don't, regardless of whether I clean/bandage/apply antibiotics or not.

Of course now that I'm wearing an older man's clothes I do always try to clean and take proper care, but sometimes that's just not possible right away.

I cut my hand, badly, about ten weeks ago, trying to remove a rusty canning ring/lid from a jar of old tomatoes. I mean down to the bone for about an inch and a half. That hurt like hell! I thought my hand was on fire, with that tomato juice getting in there. I only had paper towels and duct tape to cover with til I could get to an emergency room. After about a 3 hour wait and 4 stitches I was on my way. It's healed nicely, hardly a scar, but still feels tender to pressure.

BTW, I had a pair of work gloves setting about 3 feet away when that happened. And furthermore, the thought had run through my mind earlier when I'd started (had several dozen jars to do), "Hey stupid, you ought to put on those gloves!"
Who says you get wiser with age?

[garyphansen]

"I keep a plastic bottle of 96% ethanol on hand in the shop for immediate treatment of minor wounds such as that. Just wash it out well with the ethanol and apply some electrical tape. Later I put on a regular bandage."

Evan: Would not duct tape be better for that application? Gary P. Hansen

[Evan]

Electrical tape is easier to remove without breaking the wound open.

[loose nut]

Amputate now before it spreads.

[Black_Moons]

Infections from water based coolants are common place, But how about other peoples experiance with thier oil based coolants? I use rapidtap and it does seem to make wounds heal slower and infect easyer, however it at least does not sting wounds... Likey why its bad, I don't bother cleaning it properly -_-.

[Arcane]

If I kept a bottle of 96% ethanol in the shop I wouldn't waste it on wounds!

[beanbag]

My advice is too late for the OP, but if I ever get a cut in the shop, I immediately go and wash it with soap and water and while under running water, squeeze at the wound to squeeze some blood out to flush out whatever is in there. Then apply disinfectant and bandages as necessary. The important thing IMO is to clean and flush it out asap.

[MickeyD]

I ran 304 stainless all day today (do it about once a month) and like always ended up with half a dozen little cuts that take a day or two to heal up. My hands are always in coolant and it never seems to cause a problem besides a little stinging and foul language.

[Evan]

I hate SS swarf. I like machining the stuff but the swarf is bloody dangerous. Handling it with bare hands is a guaranteed way to get a good slice.

[macona]

I'd rather deal with the concertina wire swarf from SS than the billion little needles from milling hardened steel. I dont know how many slivers I pulled out after doing the retrofit on my mill.

[rakort]

i'm with tdmidget, get your affairs in order, NOW

[rakort]

BTW, water grows bugs, oil doesn't

[Ian B]

I can understand this being really worrying for you. But don't be too concerned, the blood on the milling cutter probably won't harm it too much. Just wipe the excess blood off the cutting edges, rinse with some fresh cutting fluid, and all will be fine.

Ian

[goose]

No hand soap and first aid kit available? Saliva - the best antibiotic in the world. Then wrap it with a clean piece of tape.