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Original poster

I think my thumb might fall off!! Please help

66 replies

Hanywany · 31/01/2022 12:11

Hi all, so I was doing some housework yesterday and while washing up something shot up my thumbnail but I dont think it got wedged, anyways it hurt at the time but i didn't think anything of it, anyways it was throbbing all last night and this morning i have woken up to a very fat finger it's like 2 thumbs have merged and it hurts aswell i can't really do anything with it movement wise! So of course i googled and it has not made me feel any better I'm imagining waking up to tomorrow with a missing thumb that's stuck to dh's head!!😱🙈 also I can't get in at doctors they are full and I can't get to A&E either! Please someone make me feel better and tell me my thumb will be fine🤣

Also sorry for typos my normal hand is indisposed!

OP posts:
Hawkmoth · 31/01/2022 12:12

I really think you should get a medical opinion fairly urgently.

FionnulaTheCooler · 31/01/2022 12:16

Phone 111 for advice, they will probably tell you to go to minor injuries but should be able to give you a time slot to go so your waiting time might be reduced. DH had similar a while ago and there was an infection under the skin that needed drained and dressed.

Original poster
Hanywany · 31/01/2022 12:27

Sods law I cant go anywhere far today! The doctors cant fit me in i did explain but they werent having any of it, as it's on the day booking and there was no call backs available either! It's odd because when i read online it said about red blood spot and pussing but there isnt any of that it's just swollen!
111 are usually crap i called twice when my youngest ds was poorly and they were utterly useless twice over and twice over he nearly died!
@FionnulaTheCooler what happened to your dh was it the same or was there something under the nail stuck?

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FionnulaTheCooler · 31/01/2022 12:54

He doesn't know how it happened, the thumb just swelled up and was really red and painful. He said it was like instant relief as soon as it was drained though.

Original poster
Hanywany · 31/01/2022 13:15

@FionnulaTheCooler wow that sounds gross and helpful all at the same time, how long did your dh wait til it was drained/seen to? sorry for it's of ??? I'm just wondering if I can maybe wait til tomorrow and just ring doctors first thing!!🤔

OP posts:
Original poster
Hanywany · 31/01/2022 13:16

Sorry for lots of questions not its🙈

OP posts:
Pinkbrush · 31/01/2022 13:19

You need to go to A&E.

emmathedilemma · 31/01/2022 13:22

If your GP can't see you today I'd go to minor injuries or A&E. Surely you must have some means of getting there??

Original poster
Hanywany · 31/01/2022 13:36

Nope none I'm in london so it's a nightmare to get there especially with 4 children in tow, my doctors is the only place literally across the road from me which is the best place but not today, now I'm super worried!! I dont have anyone to look after children and hospitals in London are being unbelievably picky about who comes in with me if anyone at all and the doctors/clinics are too! I honestly didnt think it was that bad or I was telling myself its fine😬

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 31/01/2022 13:44

Is the father of the children in the picture? Sounds urgent enough if he is that he needs to supervise them while you get this checked

MrsJaxTellerPlease · 31/01/2022 13:46

Soak it in hot salt water and see if you can see an entry point.

Original poster
Hanywany · 31/01/2022 14:00

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Yes he is but hes at work though and cant get home yet!

@MrsJaxTellerPlease ok I tried hot water earlier albeit when I was washing up again and that seemed to exasperated it, cold water makes it feel better, but your right hot salt water draws stuff out maybe I'll give it a go!

OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 31/01/2022 14:04

You need to get your husband to finish work at the earliest time he can today and come straight home to take over childcare so you can then go to A&E.

Don't leave this another day or mess about with it too much yourself - it's not worth the risk of infection.

LovelyBitOfSquirrelInTheWirral · 31/01/2022 14:04

If the doctors is only just over the road can you pop in and see if they take pity on you?
It sounds really bad OP.

Adatwistscientist · 31/01/2022 14:07

Try and get it sorted otherwise you'll lose the nail and it'll take months to grow back (if it does).

emmathedilemma · 31/01/2022 14:08

I'd be tempted to walk over to the GP surgery and waggle your thumb at reception, they might squeeze you in at the end of surgery if they realise it's bad. Failing that, ring 111 once the surgery closes and they might make you an appointment at an out of hours centre (in my experience they won't do this until your GP surgery closes for the day, even if they've said you can't get an appointment today).

BobbieT1999 · 31/01/2022 14:08

Can you get to see a nurse at your gp instead? They might be able to fit you in and if it needs a doctors opinion they'll just pop out and grab them.

If not, definitely take yourself off to a&e as you can.

UnbeatenMum · 31/01/2022 14:11

I wouldn't wait until tomorrow, it sounds infected. Could you walk across the road and show it to the GP's receptionist?

hopeful777 · 31/01/2022 14:15

Could you post a photo? Signs of infection are redness/swelling/warmth - would be easier to visualise with an image.

Do you feel unwell in yourself? Eg Temperature? Nausea? Fast heart rate?

A swelling can be a reaction to many things and I agree to pp about soaking in salt water to see if swelling reduces.

Schoolchoicesucks · 31/01/2022 14:16

If it's as swollen and painful as you say, I think it needs to be seen today. If no-one else to watch the kids, DH needs to finish work early and you go to A&E when he's back.

Gilead · 31/01/2022 14:18

Could it have been some sort of metal splinter? Hot would expand it, therefore it would hurt more, cold contract it.
(I had an operation to remove a dressmaking pin from my foot some forty odd years ago)

Purplewithred · 31/01/2022 14:20

Definitely need a photo. Minor injuries if you have one, and I'd be looking at cold water not hot. Taken pain relief?

Woofwoofbarkbark · 31/01/2022 14:26

This has happened to me twice!!

Very painful it kept me up all night as the infection took hold.

I soaked my thumb in warm salty water for 20 minutes 3 times a day and the swelling went down and the puss came out on its own.
Do this!!

Original poster
Hanywany · 31/01/2022 14:44

Ok so I have just boiled a pan of water(kettle broke yesterday) dumped alot of salt in a cup and am gonna wait til the water has cooled because hot water seems to exasperated it! I have had it in cold water all morning and I'm not sure but I think the swelling has come down and it's not as red and the movement doesnt seem as bad I'm gonna try and post pics

OP posts:
MaizeAmaze · 31/01/2022 14:47

It needs seeing. If the GP cant fit you in, you need minor injuries or A&E. DH needs to come back from work, or you need to palm the kids off onto someone.
Only other possibility would be going to see a pharmacist for advice, but I suspect they will just direct you to a medical practitioner.