Is it necessary to see the doctor if your finger is infected or is it something you can fix yourself?

Question

What can you do if you decide to handle it yourself?

Answer 1

Usually you will need to see your doctor to get antibiotics to help you fight the infection.

Some people can do okay if the infection is very minor and they are in good health. Their immune system might be enough to fight off the infection. Rest and elevate the hand. Eat and drink well. Observe the infection in your finger and if it gets worse, see a doctor then for antibiotics.

If it is untreated and left for too long, the infection can spread. It can travel into the hand where there are many spaces for the bacteria to hide and it can be difficult to eradicate from there. It may form an abscess - which also makes it difficult for antibiotics to get in and at the bacteria - abscesses often need surgical drainage. It may get into the bone (osteomyelitis) which is another place from which it is difficult to eradicate the bacteria.

If it becomes a troublesome infection then you might wind up in hospital having antibiotics through a drip.

If even this is not enough, you may need to have surgery to cut off the infected bits - this is very drastic and hardly ever happens if you pay attention to your health. However, in poverty stricken areas where people go on regardless because they cannot afford antibiotics and therefore do not go to the doctor until they are crawling with maggots or dying of gangrene, an amputation is not an uncommon outcome for dreadfully diseased limbs. It shouldn't be the case for you if you have the wherewithal to access a computer.

Answer 2

if the cut is deep, I would go to the doctor. my finger got infected from a cat bite and the doctor chewed me out for not coming in right away. he said you can lose some of the use of your hand if you get an infection in there. So if it's more than a little red like from a shallow cut that you can put neosporin on, I'd go to the doc and get antibiotics if I were you.

Answer 3

I have treated infections that have gotten into my hands from handling shovels while working at a horse farm. What I did was wash my hands thoroughly, then douse them with hydrogen peroxide.

But that is painful.

And if the infection has gotten bad enough, it is not wise.

Consider seeing a doctor.

Answer 4

It depends on how bad it is. if its swelling or changing colors see a doc. If its just red and puffy you can try soaking it in bactine or peroxide. peroxide is not good for deep cuts though so be careful. Fresh dressing and neosporin and if it doesn't seem better or gets drastically worse see a doctor.

Answer 5

If it is a small area, the body will usually heal itself. You can use over the counter anti-biotics if it is an open wound. If it is closed and under the skin, there is nothing you can do.

Answer 6

oh hell yeah, stop putting your friggin finger where it wasnt intended 2 b in the first place.
on the HANDLE it ur self issue,follow above instructions and work backwards.
luv ur quessie.

Answer 7

the infectin will go away on its own!! my, you sound like you never had one before! if its a really deep cut though, you may need stitches but if not then leave the damn thing alone.

Answer 8

go to the doc

Answer 9

DOCTORS ARE DOCTORS