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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to A&E?

32 replies

Mupflup · 02/10/2017 11:15

Fuck's sake...we are moving into new house today and I've managed to gash my finger on a new knife. I've never cut myself deeply before and have no clue what I'm supposed to do?!

It's probably 1/4 to 1/2 cm deep in the fleshy part of one of my fingers (on the inside if that makes sense?)

I've wiped it with antiseptic and covered in gauze and taped it up but do I need to go to hospital? I don't want to if I don"t have to but have no idea if it will need stitches or something.

Today of all fucking days, we are right in the middle of physically moving, so not registered with a doctor locally.

It's stinging like mad and there's quite a lot of blood Sad. Help me mumsnetters!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mupflup · 02/10/2017 11:17

Obviously it's not my typing hand! Grin

OP posts:
Madbum · 02/10/2017 11:17

Call 111 they will give you much better advice then any of us!

RB68 · 02/10/2017 11:18

Personally I would go and get it looked at - if nothing else to get it cleaned and dressed properly

Sirzy · 02/10/2017 11:18

Has it stopped bleeding?

If you have a local walk in centre that may be a better option

Mrsemcgregor · 02/10/2017 11:18

I did this at the beginning of the year and patched it up myself with steri-strips from the chemist. It worked but on reflection I wish I had got it done properly as I have a jagged scar that still hurts now when I put pressure on it.

Any chance you can see a nurse at the GP instead of the inconvenience of A&E?

Gunpowder · 02/10/2017 11:19

I cut the tip of my finger off and had to go to a&e, sorry! They are more cautious with hand injuries and often get stitched by plastics. If there is an urgent care centre near you that might be a less time consuming option but my local one sent me to a&e.

cestlavielife · 02/10/2017 11:19

Call 111 ask them to direct you to local minor injuries walk in

Littlebelina · 02/10/2017 11:20

Is there a minor injuries unit nearby? Can sometimes be quicker and often at small hospitals

MoiMocheetMechant · 02/10/2017 11:20

Flowers that sounds awful - sorry to hear that, OP :( I second what Mad suggests - calling 111 would definitely be a good idea. If you're moving house with anyone else, have you asked them what they think? What advice do they suggest?

DJBaggySmalls · 02/10/2017 11:21

As its a gash on your finger its best to show it to them rather than describe it. It probably needs stitching, and if its near nerves or tendons they'll want to keep an eye on it.

Crispbutty · 02/10/2017 11:24

I wouldn't if you have cleaned it and covered it. But I'm a chef and most of my staff would spend half their life in a & e if they went for every cut or burn.

Kattekit · 02/10/2017 11:24

I’m not a healthcare professional but I am very clumsy, lots of cuts and burns previously. Almost chopped the end of my finger of when dicing an onion years ago Blush

If you can get hold of some steri strips I’d put these across the cut (almost as stitches would be) make sure it’s cleaned properly first, pop your hand above your heart to steady the blood loss, lots of plasters or a bandage over the strips to keep it clean. I’d suggest if it gets very warm or is very sore to get yourself to a&e. When I almost lost the top of my finger my exp was in the forces so he steri stripped as above and it healed without problem. Pop some gloves on to keep it clean and padded.

I had hand surgery the week before we moved house, was a nightmare, ended up with an infection as I didn’t use gloves.

Good luck op, you know your body the best if in doubt give 111 a call

Happy new home Flowers

kaytee87 · 02/10/2017 11:27

Minor ailments if you have one but if not then A&E is appropriate.

Ttbb · 02/10/2017 11:34

How deep is it? Can you see the flesh or bone?

Ceto · 02/10/2017 11:37

It's likely to need to be glued. Do you have a minor injuries clinic near you?

jaseyraex · 02/10/2017 11:42

Minor injuries unit if possible, A&E if not. I done the exact same thing when unpacking in our new house, patched it up myself and thought all was fine. It went infected. Hurt like a bitch and needed stitches. Definitely get it looked at!

LewisThere · 02/10/2017 11:46

Has it stopped bleeding?
How rushed is today? I.e. Do you have someone doing the move for you or are you doing it all on your own etc...

Personally, if it has stopped bleeding, I would leave it until tomorrow and then ask to go and see the nurse at the surgery.

NinonDeLenclos · 02/10/2017 11:49

Minor injury unit or appointment with a nurse at your surgery?

My mum did something similar last week, refused to go to the nurse and it ended up infected and on antibiotics. She kept it very clean, with a clean new plaster & lots of antisceptic but it's difficult with deep cuts like that.

Withhindsight · 02/10/2017 11:51

Is your tetanus injection up to date?

YogiYoni · 02/10/2017 11:51

Has it stopped bleeding? If so, I'd just ignore it now and get on with moving. Obviously if you can't control the bleed then go get it checked - but at minor injuries / walk in clinic rather than a&e.

brasty · 02/10/2017 11:54

I would have said no until recently, when I read that with fingers all deep cuts should be looked at. But can you not ring GP and see them?

acquiescence · 02/10/2017 11:56

You can buy steri strips from most chemists, you apply them to close the wound. If you have someone around who can give you a hand if needed then I'd suggest this. If you have managed to tape it and it's not bleeding it's not likely to need stitches so this is all a nurse at a&or would do anyway and it will save you the wait.

Original poster
Mupflup · 02/10/2017 12:00

Thanks all. .I didn't even know 111 existed (doh!). They"ve advised me to go to the chemist and get steri strips and see how I go for 24 hours. It seems to have stopped bleeding for now but flipping hell is it sore! Luckily DH is doing most of the heavy lifting with the removals man but I'm now bloody useless.

Public safety announcement: new knives are very sharp and should be handled with care!

OP posts:
clarabellski · 02/10/2017 12:02

I did something similar a couple of years ago (on knuckle of the thumb) and went to minor injuries. Waited 2 hours, nurse took one look and referred me to A&E. Waited another hour there. Needed 9 stitches. Oops.

So my advice if cut is as deep as you say is to go straight to A&E to avoid waiting twice.

Crap timing but maybe combine it with lunch so you don't feel you're wasting time on a busy day.

Benedikte2 · 02/10/2017 12:03

If it's stopped bleeding use steri strips to hold the wound together and bandage to protect finger. If it's red and swollen in next few days have it seen to.
I cut myself really deeply with a craft knife and it wouldn't stop bleeding and we didn't have any suitable plasters so I went to the Pharmacy which told me to go to my GP surgery ( round the corner). I went there and was told they did not see cases like mine and to go to A&E in nearest town (15 miles away) and I couldn't see myself driving there and fighting for parking. Ended up just going home and it eventually
healed by itself.
Seeking treatment is pita nowadays and takes the best part of a day.
(No emergency appointments given by surgery until after triage phone call from a doctor. Regular appointments wait 3+ weeks.)
Good luck