What to do for infected thumb?

Question

2 days ago I was loading the dishwasher and I poked a fork underneath my thumbnail on the side. I have a slightly infected thumb now. No drainage, but at the side of the nail the skin has puffed up and it's red. It hurts a lot if it's bumped. Will it harm it if I soaked my thumb in warm salt water? or should I do something else?

Answer 1

Here's what you can do at home for this. Three times a day clean the affected area with mild soap & water. Dry gently & thoroughly. Apply an antibacterial ointment (Neosporin, polysporin, etc.) and cover with a bandaid or dry, sterile dressing affixed with tape. Keep the thumb and dressing dry between treatments. Take your preferred pain reliever as directed for pain control. Follow this treatment protocol for 7 days. If you see no improvement or, if you see a worsening, contact your primary care provider. Don't soak your thumb in salt water, you're not curing a ham.

Answer 2

puffiness is a common reaction due to inflammation.

don't soak your thumb in salt water-this will do nothing for the injury and could cause infection.

wash it with warm water and mild soap (dove or ivory) then apply neosporin and wrap the thumb in gauze wrap to help keep infection out and keep it dry.

signs that your thumb is getting worse and require medical attention asap are:

-the swelling and redness increases
-you have increased pain or the thumb becomes hot to touch
-the wound opens or begins to drain liquid (pus)
-you begin to run a fever of 101.0 or higher


you will need antibiotics to treat the above symptoms....

Answer 3

Soaking will work or pour hydrogen perioxide between the nail.. keep it bandaged until it gets scab. I just tore my nail with the potato peeler.. that hurts too!

Answer 4

Go ahead and soak it. If it oozes or gets worse, go see a doctor. You'll want to get on antibiotics.

Answer 5

That should work. If it doesn't get better in a few days you should go to a walk-in clinic and have it checked out.