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Children's health

Does this need draining?

8 replies

oldbirdy · 23/04/2017 21:52

DS has an infected finger. Been on antibiotics since Friday. Gp lanced it Friday but the pus is building up and I think it needs draining again. In terms of the infection it is much less sore so I am not too worried and he has 2 more days antibiotics to go. Should I attempt to drain it myself (worried about not properly sterilising though) or give the surgery a call in the morning to see if the nurse can do it?
Photo attached.

Does this need draining?
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Polly99 · 23/04/2017 21:54

I'd think that probably should be drained. If it were my finger I'd do it myself but as it's a child I'd probably see the nurse.

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PastysPrincess · 23/04/2017 21:56

Yes that needs draining. As Polly said If it was my finger I would do it but probably best to make an appointment tomorrow.

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sniffle12 · 23/04/2017 22:14

Is it sufficiently swollen that the skin is taut? If it were me I'd just sterilise a sewing needle in a flame and give it a little prick - pressure will do the rest. But as others say, you may be more comfortable the GP doing it.

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sniffle12 · 23/04/2017 22:15

P.S. reminds me of the only Latin phrase I know: Ubi pus, ibi evacua.

Where there is pus, let it out Grin

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lougle · 23/04/2017 22:28

Yes that needs to be drained, but I think you could easily do it yourself. It just needs to have the skin either eased away from the nail bed or pierced with a needle, which will be easy given how full it is. Either a flame, boiling water or alcohol will sufficiently clean the needle.

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oldbirdy · 23/04/2017 23:02

I have antiseptic wipes, would that sterilize the needle? Or vodka plus wipes??

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lougle · 23/04/2017 23:15

It'll be good enough for a quick poke in the side of a pus-filled finger. Let it air dry before you use it. His finger is, after all, filled with infected bacteria. Just make sure you give his finger a gentle clean before and after you've squeezed out the pus, too.

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Ceto · 23/04/2017 23:33

Put the needle, or the end of needle in boiling water for around 15 seconds to sterilise it.

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