wtf have I done to my thumb?!

[climts]

I was just peeling an orange and one of my thumbs went into the flesh - must have a cut underneath the nail as it was an immediate very strong stinging sensation which I assumed would dissapate in a moment or two. But it didn't, it got worse and worse and shot up the rest of my wrist and arm and now my thumb doesn't look red or swollen but it's tingling and painful to use.

WTF did I do? I'm sure it was related to the orange as it was that exact moment that the juice went under the nail but this seems way OTT. I don't want to call 111 and tell them my thumb stings though.

Oh dear. You evidently don’t understand that citrus fruit contain citric acid. It will sting big time. Have you really never done this before??

I've done it many many times before but it's shooting all the way up my arm - like I've damaged a nerve. That's why I'm questioning it.

Like, my whole arm is tingling like it does when you've pinched a nerve.

I’d see if it settles down before calling anyone. I doubt you’ve done any real damage.

Bathe it in some warm water OP. Sounds painful!

I'd guess you pulled the nail away from the nail bed, the skin/nail junction opened up a little, and juice went in there, and the screeching objection from the relevant nerves was so loud that it felt like the damage was over a larger area than it was. (Either that or you jammed your thumb in way harder than you thought for some bizarre reason and jarred some tendons or something.) The tingling might be an adrenaline reaction to the pain?

It's a little better but it's throbbing so much I can't use it properly