Using povidone iodine on a finger cut?

Question

Guys, I injured my finger tonight while to a repair to my house. Basically a aluminum sheet cut my left thumb (right above the knuckle). Its a rather deep cut and the sheet fell about 2 feet directly onto my finger.

I took a shower and clean the cut with soap and water to the best of my ability (to the point that i was about to scream like a 5 year old). My father used povidone iodine (10%)and neosporin on my finger.

no serious pain unless i spread open the cut, i have full mobility with it.

1) no rust on the aluminum, do i need a shot of some sort?
2) is povidone-iodine okay for this?
3) any other tips?

thanks in advance guys.

Answer 1

aluminum doesnt rust, you should have a tetnus shot once every ten years, wrap the cut so it doesnt spread open, and the neosporin is good, you should be ok.

Answer 2

Even if there is no rust on the metal it is still possible to contract tetanus which is a bacteria. Therefore, you should always keep current with a tetanus shot every 10 years. Povidone-iodine is a very effective antibacterial and is fine to use the first time. Hydrogen peroxide and water in equal parts is just as effective and causes less disruption to the healing tissues inside the wound. So you should soak it in such a solution for 5 minutes at least once a day until the wound is sufficiently healed to keep out infection. Neosporin is fine, and then a bandage. For a wound that is thru the skin and in a location where it is more difficult to keep it closed such as the back of a knuckle, or if you can't control the bleeding it should have stitches. IF an infection is to occur it will happen in the first 48 hours so this is the time you should be watching it. After 48 hours the risk is much lower provided the wound stays closed at all times. The main points are keep it closed, clean and keep up to date on tetanus immunizations.

Answer 3

Povidone iodine is a wonderful solution to use. You have already done the most important things, scrubbed with soap and water, used topical antibiotic. You need to apply a cover on your finger until the cut begins to heal enough to expose it. If you have not had a tetanus shot, it would be a very very good idea even though you did clean it.

I hope you do fine. Wow, that was a terrible thing to happen. I cut my little finger really deep while cutting tomatoes the night before I had an exam. I did what you did. It never really left a scar that was noticeable. I had already had a tetanus shot in the past two or three years so I felt I was okay.
Best Wishes.

Answer 4

aluminum doesn't rust so your risk for infection isn't as high as it would be with things such as nails,steel,etc. but if you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 5-10 years you should get one just to be safe.

if the cut is deep enough to where you can spread it open and see inside your finger-you probably need stitches-these will help keep infection out and allow the cut to heal properly...

continue to wash the cut out with mild soap and warm water. apply neosporin and wrap with gauze-this will help keep out any new germs and help treat any that might already be present. try your best to keep the wound dry.

for pain you can take ibuprofen. it also has an anti-inflammatory in it to help reduce swelling. take 200-400mg every 6 hours but no more than 1200mg in 24 hours.

things to watch for that require a trip to the emergency room are:
-fever of 101.0 of higher
-increased swelling or redness around the cut
-the cut begins to drain green or yellowish-brown liquid
-there are red lines extending up your arm from the wound site (indicates an infection in the bloodstream and i.v antibiotics are required asap)

these are all signs of infection and you will need antibiotics to treat it...

Answer 5

#1, You should not need a tetnus shot because aluminum does not rust.
#2 iodine is not going to hurt you because they use that in procedures like surgery or soemthing small that they might do in a clinic.
just keep it clean by using peroide and let some fresxh air hit it and make sure nothing dirty gets to it.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Cool did everything right. They use that form of Iodine before surgery, so worry not

Answer 8

Ouch!!!! Just reading that made me wince.

Are you sure you don't need stitches? You may want to go to the ER for then to have a peek in case you need stitches.

If you have not had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years, you should get one.

Answer 9

good you did everything right there is this something u can get called polysporin it antibiotic get the one sthat does not sting when u put in on it will make sure it wont get infected. and if it's a deep cut got get some stiches.one more thing try to keep the cut open when u home just put the polysporin on it so if wont get infected , puy ona band aid when u r outside.
next time wear Gloves so you wont cut yourself

Answer 10

I am a physician. Your treatment is fine, and try to keep the wound clean and dry. Hydrogen Peroxide can also be used to clean the wound. You should not need a tetanus shot....but if you are frequently exposed to such injuries, it is advisable to have one anyways.