Stupid injury I'm slightly worried about

[ContessaGoesAMarching]

I managed to dig a staple into my nail bed on my right index finger while faffing with DIY on Saturday. Finger hurt on Sat eve but didn't think much of it - on Sun morning it was properly swollen. It's now Mon morning and still swollen, with a bruise at the injury site. I can't fully bend my finger and exerting pressure with it is painful.

When does a doctor visit become appropriate?

Still at what a stupid injury it is....

No. It’s barely swollen, not particularly red and will undoubtedly sort itself out in a few days. If the pains that bad, take some paracetamol.

Ouch. I think you should get it checked. That's a lot of swelling for quite a small wound.

I said WHEN does a visit become appropriate, not "Is one appropriate now" - I know it's not appropriate now. Perhaps a better question would be: What signs should I look out for to indicate worsening?

And thank you WhatWould - I'm sure I qualify for the pathetic injury award but it does hurt! Am currently trying to work at computer and MN without using my clickin' finger it's far harder than you'd think!!

If you're worried about infection you need to look for redness and heat at the injury sight. That looks ok for what you've done. I'd get some antiseptic on it to be safe but it should be ok.

Sorry I didn't mean small in a dismissive way! Just that it's quite a small puncture wound to cause enough swelling that you can't bend your finger

I once cleverly stapled my thumbnail, it was bloody sore and red/bruised for ages.

That doesn't look too bad. Would get it checked if it gets really swollen

A red line tracking up your finger from the injury site would be cause for concern. I know this because I sliced into my finger recently - probably should have had stitches but didn't go to a&e until over 12 hrs later and it had started to knit - was extremely swollen and weeping after a few days of trying to keep it clean and together - another dr friend looked and said nothing to be done unless this happened (even if it leaked a bit of pus) which would be sign of bad infection requiring antibiotics. Keep it clean, dunk it in tcp! My finger is now fine apart from the scar!

I don't think I can actually access the injury site as it's down behind the nail; my finger has puffed up to the extent that I can't really move flesh out of the way IYSWIM.

I used to be a microbiologist so am slightly worried about anaerobes.... wtf was living on that staple?!

DH has been watching too much Walking Dead and said clearly we need to amputate at the neck. He's f*ing hilarious.

I got a small infection under my nail bed a few weeks ago. I covered it in sudacrem a couple of times a day which seemed to do the trick.

You could try soaking in saltwater. Hopefully it would work its way into the injury site.

Did you post the wrong picture?
I can’t see anything wrong with those fingers?!

It's the index finger - not a great picture but it is the correct one. It was swollen up earlier but seems to be coming down now - kudos to the Contessa immune system!

I have spent the day using a mouse with the other fingers. It's been really weird!

I'd see how it is tomorrow. If it's worse tomorrow then I'd go see a GP / minor injuries in case it's infected.

For all 5 of you who were worried, I'm pleased to report that the swelling is subsiding (I can bend it now)! Have got a funny little under-nail bruise though, and the tip is still pretty turgid (phnar phnar).

I'm glad it's improving :)

Hooray - that looks fine now! The Contessa immune system has done a heroic job. Had to snort at your DPs comment - nothing like some sympathy hey?! ;)

Thanks! Am glad I didn't moan too much about my impending amputation in RL now, I'd have looked a right hypochondriacal numpty