okay, so i just stabbed my hand w/ a knife on accident (i was trying to cut a mango and the knife slipped and went into my thumb) ..it's only about .5cm..and i don't have health insurance. so, do i go to the hospital? if no, what can i do t make sure it won't get infected?
2007-03-23 11:00:30 · 23 answers · asked by Karen 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
going to the hospital would be a waste of time and money, if it is just a little cut, just rinse it off with hot water, than find some medication, like neosporin, get a bandage, this will prevent the wound from getting infected. change the bandage about every 6 hours with a fresh coat of neosporin and a new bandage, it should completely heal within the next few days. If however there is a discoloration of the skin, where it may become red, or does not seem to be healing, thanget checked out by you family docotr if you have one. Going to the emergency room will cost you, and will be a waste of your time. If it gets to the point that the pain is too tollerable, and you notice that there is an infection than go to the hospital. It may be expensive, but it's better than waiting til the last moment, and risk losing a finger.
If it is healing, usually the first sign is that it may become red around the area with an irritating itch, this means that it is healing. But i wouldn't worry about it too much, just keep the wound bandaged, and everything should be just fne.
2007-03-23 11:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by wrestlinguy85 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just put a hard compress on the area so it will stop from bleeding. Cover it with anything that is sterile...you can buy them at any drugstore and a tape. it should heal on it's own. it shouldn't get infected as long as it's covered. Also, make sure to WASH your hands before and after u clean the affected area. It should close in couple of days. If it turns RED or swollen, then that is the time u should see a DR.
2007-03-23 11:06:32 · answer #2 · answered by FlyingHi007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is flesh showing on the cut, it NEEDS to get stitched, or it wont heal. Had one girl in my lab who delayed, and the cut wouldn't heal, and worse, got so badly infected that she needed hospitalization and IV antibiotics. Kind of end up costing more than just a visit for stitching.
If there is no flesh showing, then you just make sure to disinfect well, and regularly, while protecting the wound from contamination. You should also check often for signs of infection, ie redness around the cut, swelling, pus, ect. In case of infection you should definitely consult.
2007-03-23 11:09:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well if you had insurance i'd say better safe than sorry but since you don't and i know what thats like i'd say since its only 5cm stop the bleeding w/ presure than clean it w/ hydrogen pyroxide than use neosporin and a bandaid and that should keep the infection out - check on it tommorrow and do the same thing again. if it's getting worse instead of better over the next few days try to find a free clinic. good luck - i think you'll be fine.
2007-03-23 11:08:19 · answer #4 · answered by Chargers Chick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if it's still bleeding, go. put gauze on it, not a band-aid. the oxygen will help prevent infection. Clean it at least a few times a day with a disinfectant. if it starts to look bad, go to the doc. How much is your thumb worth? Besides, you might get tetanus or a blood infection if it gets bad and you don't go to the doc.
2007-03-23 11:09:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well my dear,
you need to get the bleeding under control
this means using direct pressure.
I would get to the hospital with something like that
use gauze or clean cloth for the bleeding
if you do go to the hospital
tell them what happened. Now go.
The doctor may give you a tetinus shot. Take care.
2007-03-23 11:33:47 · answer #6 · answered by sweet_blue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOAH! never pour peroxide on a would if it is deep, that can kill you. Peroxide is for surface wounds. Put pressure on it for 10 minutes, it it continues to bleed a lot (more than very small droplet sized seeping) you may have cut a vein. If it is still bleeding a lot and pressure will not stop it go to the hospital to get stiched up.
2007-03-23 11:10:35 · answer #7 · answered by Mark P. 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Forget the hospital.
Rinse out the wound.
Put pressure on it.
When the bleeding stops, put on some Neosporin.
Then put a bandage on it.
I just saved you a $500 hospital visit. Send me your e-mail address, and I'll send you a PayPal invoice for 20% of that.
2007-03-23 11:03:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Wash it thoroughly under a running tap. Gently dry it. Apply some antiseptic cream if you have some and put a large plaster on it. Keep the plaster dry for a couple of days, then check the wound and redress it if necessary.
2007-03-23 11:04:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no you do not need the hospital but rince it under some cold water and take some proxcide and pust some of that on there let it dry the use some nesporin and cover it with a steril bandage
2007-03-24 13:08:30 · answer #10 · answered by FF_EMT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋