Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mayorgc]

i've been doing way too much walking ever since i got to s.korea

last week, i noticed a stinging sensation on my right heel. the skin on my heel actually split apart from all the walking. it's maybe half an inch in length. and it's pretty deep. it's not bleeding or anything, but it's not closing. the gap has been there for maybe 5 days now. im gonna put a band aid on it tomorow and see how that goes. but i think it's gonna need something stronger than a band aid.

what should i do? i'm pretty sure it's not an emergency, so is there any place i could go on the weekend or after work on a weekday? i don't speak any korean

[ajuma]

Most doctor's offices are open on Saturday mornings. Just walk into one (of course not one with a tooth on the sign!) and show the nurse/receptionist the problem. Most doctors here speak adequate English.

You could also go to the ER. People go there for all kinds of reasons. It'll cost you more than a doctor, but it's an option.

Another option: Go to your local pharmacy and show the pharmacist. S/he may be able to help.

Don't forget to bring your insurance card and some cash!

[John_ESL_White]

most clinics are open on sat., but it sounds like you just need new shoes. Unless the cut is deep enough to warrant stitches, or looks like it might be infected, you should change shoes and reduce your walking for a few weeks and stay out of the clinics.

In my experience, outside of Seoul, the doctors are all quacks who will leave you worse off than when you went in.... Even in Seoul, most clinics are sub-western standard.

clinics with K doctors should be a last resort. The doctors trained in korea are not up to snuff. I KNOW from experience and from teaching these guys.

trust me.

[ajuma]

Re-reading your post, it sounds like you have a blister that broke open. Go to a pharmacy and get an antibiotic ointment. Keep it coverd with a band-aid, and maybe tape some gauze pads inside your shoe.

[mayorgc]

it's definitely not a blister. and i really think it needs to be looked at. i can still open up the gap with my fingers. it's not closing at all.

and yeah, i'm gettin new shoes.

[moosehead]

virtually all the major hospitals have intl clinics now - open on Saturdays until maybe 1?

as someone noted above, the medicine here can sometimes make you feel like something is lacking (because it is) but considering the location of your wound, it could get infected and if you have an underlying condition, perhaps undiagnosed, such as diabetes, it could be downright dangerous and lead to gangrene - foot injuries in diabetics often leads to amputation due to the lack of proper circulation - so if you feel the need to get it checked out, do so.

Severance Hospital at Yonsei Univ (Sincheon Subway Station, near Ewha and Hongik) has probably the best intl clinic of the lot - they are definitely there on Sat.

don't know the number but if you call 02-1330 they can tell you if you need more info.

good luck

[Dazed and Confused]

Where are you located? Maybe we could recomend our own dr to you.

[mayorgc]

im at beomgye station

line 4

is the yonsei place open weekdays after 5pm?

[moosehead]

they are there because of patients - I think they actually close down around 530 or 6 - technically last appts are at 4:30.

so yes, there would be drs there at 5 - and if you are new just tell them you didn't know - but it's a bit of a distance from the station and then the hospital is up a hill and once inside you have to find the clinic (tho there is an info desk at the door) - all that takes time so plan on 15-30 minutes from the station for your first time.

also that time of day there is a LOT of traffic so buses are slow - best to walk from the station - unless, of course, due to your injury that's too painful!

in that case you'll want to take one of the smaller buses outside the station - you'll see them but I can't recall which exit - so ask downstairs in the station at the clerk as to which exit for Severance Hospital or Yonsei - or you can take the elevator, that will work, and then turn around behind you - that's where the buses are going, look for a little bus and ask if it goes to Severance, most but not all do, then get on and ride for a bit.

when you get off, ask where is the hospital - you'll be at the entrance to Yonsei, anyone there will be able to tell you -

good luck!

[suadente]

The hospital at Pyeongchon Station is actually pretty good, and quite famous. I went there, and all the doctors and nurses spoke English. They did tons of tests, answered all of my questions, and gave me medicine that helped--fast.

I think it's called Sung Shim or something like that. If you don't know where it is, ask a coworker/staff/friend, and they can direct you.

The emergency room only costs a few thousand won more than the regular hospital. It sounds painful, but not serious. An emergency room doctor will probably be able to treat it. If not, he/she will give you something temporary and make an appointment with a specialist for you next week.

Otherwise, gently clean it, soak it in clean water for a little bit, gently dry it, put some antibiotic lotion on it, and leave it out for a day--try not to put on socks or do any walking. Then, go to the hospital on Monday.

[mayorgc]

hmmm, i'll try pyeonchon tmr. i put povidone iodine on it yesterday, then applied a band aid. i'll see how it is tomorow. it stings less today, but i'm pretty sure it's not healed yet

[jackson7]

I get those (oddly, my mother does too...and my ugly feet look like hers) if I don't keep up on my foot care. I've got really dry feet, so I have to use neutrogena foot cream daily before I put on my socks. Great stuff and ultra thick goo to moisturize the tough dry skin that builds up on your feet.

To heal up those cracks, even the deep bleeding ones, you gotta get the skin supple so that it can stay shut and heal. After showering, apply some antibiotic ointment into the crack itself with a q-tip or clean finger. Then generously apply some foot cream. Put on your socks and go about your day. It will feel a little slimy at first, but then probably pretty comfy. Repeat this before bed.

In the future, try and remove some of the hard, calloused skin on your feet. That type of tissue cracks/fissures very easily. Your body is the one thing you're guaranteed of having from the day you are born until you die. Treat it well.