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Original poster

My pinkie is throbbing like mad (picture included)

22 replies

6demandingchildren · 30/01/2022 11:26

My little finger started swelling on Wednesday and it's red, the redness hasn't really spread but it's so painful. I have psoriasis so used to it but this is on another level of pain.
I have tried a bread poultice, tcp, sticking a needle in it.

Nothing has helped, does anyone have any suggestions 🤔?

My pinkie is throbbing like mad (picture included)
OP posts:
WeAreTheHeroes · 30/01/2022 11:29

Infection under your nail. You need anitbiotics. Ring 111 and you may be able to get an out of hours GP/walk-in centre appointment. There's a risk with any infection that it will spread and it can be dangerous.

WeAreTheHeroes · 30/01/2022 11:30

It could be cellulitis - psoriasis can cause breaks in the skin and nail and bacteria get in.

Original poster
6demandingchildren · 30/01/2022 11:32

I will phone my surgery in the morning as a dispensing paramedic deals with this sort of thing, as don't really want to phone 111 and stop someone who needs it.
Seems a bit dramatic for a little finger Confused

OP posts:

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Original poster
6demandingchildren · 30/01/2022 11:33

Off to goggle cellulitis

OP posts:
WeakAsIAm · 30/01/2022 11:33

It's a paranychia, it will need antibiotics ring your out of hours GP (111) for a prescription.

Original poster
6demandingchildren · 30/01/2022 11:47

I will Google that as well, I hate googling medical stuff as I always look at the worst case scenario and that's usually death.

OP posts:
Seeline · 30/01/2022 11:49

With cellulitis it can be death!
Leads to sepsis and then....

I think 111 is justified

Goldi321 · 30/01/2022 13:03

Have a read about psoriatic arthritis and see if any of the symptoms fit with you x

picklemewalnuts · 30/01/2022 13:18

Soak in hot salt water regularly, and run a clean needle or orange stick around the cuticle. All that pus needs to release, and it usually does it around the cuticle edge if you ease it back and lift it.

DeeCeeCherry · 30/01/2022 13:18

My mum had this and ended up hospitalised. You need to ring 111 OP.

TomPinch · 30/01/2022 13:33

Yep, you definitely need to get that seen by a doctor.

Cautionary tale: I had an infected finger like that. Took it to the GP who prescribed antibiotics. But I'd left it too late. I went back 4 days later as it wasn't better. Doctor stared at it and said GET TO HOSPITAL NOW. Had a very uncomfortable night on painkillers before the surgeon lanced it. They kept me in the following night too.

LoannaJumley · 30/01/2022 13:39

By the looks of it you have psoriasis in that nail, that particular joint being swollen does imply psoriatic arthritis.

TonTonMacoute · 30/01/2022 13:46

don't really want to phone 111 and stop someone who needs it.

We have been brainwashed into this mentality, and we need to get out of it fast. We all pay for the NHS, massive amounts of money, so if you need it use it.

If PPs are correct in their diagnosis then you could end up costing the NHS far more money if you leave it anyway!

WeAreTheHeroes · 30/01/2022 14:08

You can fill in an online form for NHS 111. You need it. It doesn't matter that it seems a small problem with one finger. You're obviously concerned or you wouldn't have posted here. Please contact them.

QueenLagertha · 30/01/2022 14:11

This happened me a few years ago. I went to a minor injuries walk in unit where they lanced it. It kept filling up so I'd sterilise a needle myself and drain it. I also used a bread poultice. It cleared up within a couple of days of that.
Agree with others to get it checked out medically.
I remember how sore it was. Ouch

Original poster
6demandingchildren · 30/01/2022 21:46

I have psoratic arthritis, I called 111 at around midday and still waiting for a call back, I have stuck a needle in it a few more times but nothing is coming out and it's not even bleeding and that is strange.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/01/2022 21:48

Hot as you can stand (not boiling!!) salted water for 10 mins at least 3x a day.

sohypnotic · 30/01/2022 21:53

Agree with above, it's a paranychia. They are ridiculously painful. I went through a phase of having these repeatedly in different fingers and toes when my immune system was really low. Needs antibiotics - but agree soak in warm salt water for a while and try again with a sterile needle - poke in where you can see the pus and push with fingers. If not if you get to see a doctor they may drain it for you. Finger bandage with extra padding around may help with pain too, and ibuprofen for the swelling.

Firstinlastout · 30/01/2022 22:04

I had this a few years ago and like the other poster went to minor injuries .They tried to lance it but nothing happened.A couple of days later it just burst on its own and loads of pus came out.My god the relief when it burst ,all the pain just went.It was so sore it was actually making me feel sick every time I caught it or knocked it.
If you can get hold of any magnesium sulphate paste you can put that on and cover it up,it normally draws it out,it worked when my son had an infected fingernail.

picklemewalnuts · 30/01/2022 22:31

@6demandingchildren don't stab it with the needle, lift the cuticle away as though you are having a manicure. Slide the needle or orange stick around the nail edge, between the nail and the cuticle, while it's in hot salt water. The dead skin will lift away and the pus will drain.

Original poster
6demandingchildren · 30/01/2022 22:55

I have magnesium paste (past mumsnet discussion made me buy it) in going to give that a try and pad it out.

OP posts:
WeAreTheHeroes · 01/02/2022 22:59

How have you got on?

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