Dumb Question About an Infected Cut

Call doc. Can get bad fast. Better to be safe. Probably need antibiotics. Don't want it to get into bloodstream.

I've had that happen. Usually Neosporin fixes it by the next day. If it doesn't, then go to the doctor.

If your whole finger is itching, a bit pink and swollen, then bacteria has already entered. Get it checked before something gets worse.

That's similar to my allergic reaction to latex Band-Aids and the adhesive in some too.

If the whole finger is swollen, yes, please see a doctor. If you are really trying to put it off, I'd say soak your finger in Epsom salts (I just did this last night for an infected hangnail from last Friday-- didn't get neosporin on it right away, live and learn) and keep track of it. You can also take an anti-inflammatory. But if you are seeing red streaking on your finger or hand, go to urgent care right away. I had a friend who ended up in the hospital due to blood poisoning from a cut from tennis racquet wire (old racquet).

So, do epsom salts and I'd apply Neosporin afterward any way, It can't hurt. And for what it's worth-- my finger felt a lot better this morning. It really can help. (or I would have gone to the doc too!)

I think you need to call the doctor now. It sounds like the infection may be spreading and you probably need an oral antibiotic. I don't think you should wait, if your whole finger is swollen.

I've had a couple of infected cuts so far. The fact that yours is infecting the whole finger is a sign that things are not going well. Get you to the doctor or urgent care. If the swelling and redness was just localized around the cut, I would say you might be ok with soaking it in hot salty water and putting antibacterial ointment on it and waiting until Monday. BUT since you whole finger is warm, pink and puffy I would say it needs urgent care.

You might need an oral antibiotic, if it is infected.
ie: staph.

Go to an Urgent care. Get it checked out. Properly.

I know a woman, that got a TINY cut, on her knee. By the next day, she was in the hospital, with a full blown infection due to staph.
And for a couple of weeks after, she had to use crutches, to walk.

When I was a kid, from a SMALL TINY cut, I got very very ill. I couldn't even stand up, for example, due to extreme fever/headache/body aches. By Dad had to carry me, to the Doctor.
It was infected. I didn't know.
It was staph.
The Doc had to dig into it, with Betadine and clean it out... it was working its way down to my bone etc. and I had to have oral antibiotics and, almost ended up in the hospital.
All from a tiny, cut.

If the redness and swelling has moved into the entire finger, you are way past washing and putting neosporin on the cut. That's not where the problem is. It's not on the surface, it's inside. Sounds like cellulitis.

OTC stuff won't help. Epson salt soaks won't hurt, but may not do anything. Cellulitis can be helped through cellular nutrition, but you have to order a particular supplement on line and it would take a few days to get it to you. It's great for preventing problems down the road and for overall immunity and prevention - I haven't needed a doctor in years except for annual check-ups - but even I know you may be past this. If the swelling doesn't abate and especially if it starts to move up into your hand and arm, that can be serious. It's not "something so silly" if that's what's going on.

I don't see why you can't call your doctor to discuss it - that doesn't mean you race to the ER but a phone conversation will tell you whether you need to go to at least a walk-in clinic. Take your temperature, and do not take anything that would reduce a fever (no aspirin, tylenol etc.) so you get a true reading. That will be important info to share with the doctor.

Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic. I've successfully used it for aspiration double pneumonia, a sinus infection and even cellulitis. Go to a health food store that carries pharmaceutical grade supplements. If it doesn't show improvement within 24 hours, get it checked out. If it shows improvement, stay on the silver for a week. Get the dosage from the health store rep. If it's a good store, they'll know.

God bless,
M.

This isn't stupid.

Does your doctor's office have a consulting nurse line you can call and get some advice from? If so, you might want to call and get some advice. Otherwise, I wouldn't mess around. Infections like this aren't anything to mess around with. This is what your doctor is here for.

Call your doctor, swollen fingers like this can be serious. Better sooner than later.

Soak it in Epson Salts and hot water, JB. Sit down and watch TV while you do it - at least for a half hour. Do it 3 times a day, Saturday and Sunday. It MIGHT keep you from having to have antibiotics. Watch it like a hawk and make sure you see no red lines...

I do think you need to go to the doc about it. Where do you stand on your immunizations? If it has been more than 10 years, you need a tetanus shot.

Good luck...

I know you think it sounds like nothing and it may heal on its own but it is really not a good sign that your whole finger is swollen. It could be cellulitis which can lead to a very serious blood infection. Call your doctor. Your doctor actually may tell you to go to the ER for this.

I ended up with a foot injury on a Saturday..... and it was so sore, and later swollen, that I thought I had fractured one of the small bones in my foot....

One side of my foot was red and swollen.

I waited until Monday to go to the doctor, and there was no fracture, but I had a pretty bad infection... cellulitis!

I ended up on antibiotics for 10 days.....

The wound that caused it didn't even bleed... I didn't even think that it might be infected.

Watch it closely.....

Time to see a doctor about it.
He'll probably give you a tetanus shot besides antibiotics.
I've cut myself plenty of times and never had a whole finger swell up.
Don't mess with it or wait till it gets so bad that it'll be harder to deal with.

no such thing as a dumb question...
With that said, go have it looked at

feel better