Do I need to go to the hospital or will it heal?

Question

Yesterday I was pealing potatoes when I accidentally cut a small chunk of my finger off with the potato pealer. It bled alot and hurt really bad yesterday but its not hurting that bad today and I've been changing the bandaid often and applying neosporin but my main question is how does a wound like this heal when there is no top skin present? I've never had anything like this happen before so I dont know how serious it is. If anyone knows if it will heal ok on its own or not please let me know! Thanks

Answer 1

It will heal on its own.. just keep giving it air, bandaid keeps it too moist/wet.
It will actually heal by producing scar tissue from the outer circumfrence of the wound, and healing toward the center.
It will leave a scar.
Try to avoid anything that can reopen it. Dry it off as soon as you get out of the shower.

Sunlight and air will keep it dry, and I suspect a little but of saltwater will also help dry it off, though that may or maynot cause stinging.

Answer 2

It will heal but I would suggest gettting a tetanus shot. It sounds like you are treating it quite well. I did this to the tip of my little finger and it healed ok. Just keep the area clean, use hydrogen peroxide as well. If you have not had a tetanus shot in five to seven years, I would get one. If there is any loose skin hanging from the cut, this could be stitched, but otherwise, if it is small, you are doing the right thing. You will get your finger prints back eventually, by the way.

Best of healing to you. I know that it hurts. The top skin will heal.

Answer 3

You have 7 layers of skin, by cutting a chunk out you removed all 7 layers. It will heal in time, but will take a long time. You can go have a skin graft done and it will heal a lot faster. You will also have no finger print in this area due to the 7 layer of skin being removed.

Answer 4

If you don't go see a doctor within the first couple of hours of an injury like this, there isn't much they will do. They may have given you stitches yesterday, but not today. Keep it clean and dry. Don't use too much ointment because it will increase the amount of time it takes to heal. If your finger becomes red or starts having a yellow or greenish discharge, go see your doctor. It may be a sign of infection.

Answer 5

I personaly think you should go to the doctor. Neosporin should only be used for scrapes not on an open wound. Also, potato peelers arent exactly the cleanest things in the world. Your doctor would be able to keep you from getting an infection. Don't put it off because if it does get infected your looking at antibiotics, and all sorts of hastles.

Answer 6

Other than making sure it doesn't become infected, there is probably little a hospital could do. If it is a small chunk, just keep it clean like you are doing, and be aware of signs of infection. Pus, obviously, redness, swelling, hot to the touch. If you see these signs you probably ought to go see your doc.

Answer 7

A scab will eventually form. u should NOT pick off the scab because while the scab is there the new skin is growing underneath. the scab will fall off on its own. as long as its not hurting u should be fine. the body can take care of itself in this kind of situation.

Answer 8

you should keep cleaning the wound with peroxide and change the bandage like you have been doing...make sure no germs get into the wound...keep a bandage over it!!! i dont think you need to go to the hospital unless it is an extremely deep wound....hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 9

it should heal on it's own. your doing the right thing by keeping it clean. you would only need to go to the hospital for stitches or in case of infection. if you have redness, swelling, warmth or increase pain then you need to see a doctor.

Answer 10

My mother did the same thing a while back and hers healed up fine. Just keep doing what you are and you'll be fine.