AIBU to share prescribed medicine

[hipposarerad]

I seem to have an infection in my cuticle that is proving very stubborn. I've been attacking it with tea tree oil, but I've just run out. It's throbbing a bit, quite swollen and feels somewhat warm.

Dp has some antibiotic spray left over from when he got an ear infection, the active ingredients are dexamethasone, neomycin and acetic acid. I've just sprayed a bit on my finger in desperation.

I'm sure most of you are thinking "just go to the GP you bellend" but that's just not possible.

I have my autistic 7 year old ds2 at home most of the day (his school timetable is 2 hours per day - no sign of an increase) and I don't drive, meaning I spend a fair bit of time on the bus. This means there isn't enough time to get from school to the surgery and back in time to pick him up.

We don't have much in the way of family help; dp's dB and sil have teenagers, one of whom is also autistic - they aren't available, my family haven't really bothered with us since diagnosis. Plus, my neice had a baby a year ago and who are you going to invest your time in - a 7 year old nephew with challenging behaviour or a perfect first grandchild?) Both my parents are dead, there's only dp's ddad, who is pretty spry but still 80 years old - I don't want to pester him.

So, I'm using a medicine that was prescribed to someone other than myself. Will my finger feel better soon?

You need to see a GP, wouldn't family help out in an emergency? Frankly I'd be worried about it turning into sepsis and if you end up in hospital with that or worse you'll be in a much harder situation regarding childcare.

Have you tried soaking it in salty water? Or a solution of apple cider vinegar and water?

I SWEAR by the apple cider vinegar. My DD got bitten by a nasty spider...not a fatal type of bite (we live in Oz) but a notoriously infection-giving spider.

Her leg went bad immediately and we used apple cider vinegar to clean it and it was fine. My friend got a badly infected toe and she tried it and it worked when antibiotics had failed.

Unless there is a GP or pharmacist watching this thread, you're probably not going to get a useful answer. You shouldn't really use something meant for someone else unless you properly know about medicine.

Is there a pharmacist nearer than the surgery?

seriously?

You will get loads of posters saying no, don't use it.

But as this is a spray more or less on your finger nail, I'd say go ahead.

BUT you should also try bathing it in salty water, applying antiseptic cream and going to see a pharmacist in Boots or a chemists. It's far too trivial to see a GP about unless your finger is red, loads of pus around it and a red line starts growing up your finger from the infection.

Could you get to a pharmacy and have a pharmacist look at it/advise?

I know someone who ended up in intensive care because they ignored an infected cut on their finger until their family forced them to go to hospital. I really wouldn't risk messing around with folk remedies.

People in Ireland do it all the time. At €50/60 per GP visit plus prescription expenses, many of us have no choice.
It's just an antibiotic spray on an infected wound.

I know someone who ended up in intensive care because they ignored an infected cut on their finger until their family forced them to go to hospital

A cut on the finger is not the same as a sore cuticle

Cutilces get inflamed and sore sometimes. It's rarely something you need a GP for. Salty water, bathing it, antiseptic cream, all worth trying. Most things like this heal themselves. People expect ABs for bloody everything these days.

Could you try an online doctor? I find pushdoctor really good but there is a charge. If not, I swear by taping a teabag to the area, had this suggested to me by a doctor once! Don't leave it too long though before seeking treatment.

I'd phone 111. An infection in the nail may be fungal, in which case you need a fungicide rather than antibiotics. Start by phoning 111 for advice, or as PP have said call in to a pharmacist. If they say you need to see a GP you can take it from there. They may also be more knowledgeable about alternatives such as walk in centres near you which might be quick and easy to get to.

Thanks for the responses. I could probably ask fil, he will help if I'm sure to make the appointment for any day except Tuesdays because that's when he goes to play snooker with his pals.

I feel bad asking him - he was back and forth quite a bit last week with bags of laundry because our washing machine went on the blink.

I've soaked my finger in salt water a couple of times yesterday - I'll have another few goes with that today and see how it feels. I haven't got any ACV, but I've heard that all vinegars have antibac properties. I've got some big standard malt vinegar...

QueenOfthenights I'm going off the OP which says it's a stubborn infection she's been treating with something antiseptic which is now "throbbing a bit, quite swollen and feels somewhat warm".

Doctor's don't just hand out antibiotics like sweetie, so I think getting actual medical attention from someone who is qualified to prescribe them rather than being told it's ok by randommers on the internet might be an idea

That should say bog standard..

apple cider vinegar is not miracle unicorn piss, and as always ' I heard' leads to nonsense. take up offer of help and see a medic.

I did furst aid training & on the course we were told about someone who got a paper cut & failed to keep it clean. It got infected, they lost the finger as it had to be amputated. These things can escalate quickly. Yes, by all means use antiseptic, AB spray etc, but also seek proper medical advice as well, ASAP, as the infection is not responding to your attempt to treat it.

I would start with a pharmacist first, they can tell you whether or not you need to see a GP or if there's something you can use OTC

First aid training... bloody tablet of doom changing things.

Do you have a walk in centre you can go to when your dh is home?

Can you go and see a pharmacist ? I find them really helpful and they should be able to give you advice on how to treat at home, such as soaking in warm water a few times a day and they would be able to tell you whether or not you need to see a GP for antibiotics or not.

Thanks again for the input - time to get the boy to school, I'll respond properly later

Otomize will do nothing for a nail infection - you need a different type of antibiotic (if it needs an antibiotic at aIl). Not entirely sure that soaking in vinegar will do much either other than make you smell like a chip shop.

If you have to wait for an appointment there would be no harm in covering in Magnesium Sulfate paste and a dressing overnight - that can often draw out a cuticle infection.

Local pharmasists are pretty good if you can get to one, or yes, phone GP appointment,boiled water and salt cooled downsoak your finger 3 times a day

FlaviaAlbia

Doctor's don't just hand out antibiotics like sweetie,

Yes some do actually. Have you not seen the drive to incentivise GPs NOT to do this?

so I think getting actual medical attention from someone who is qualified to prescribe them rather than being told it's ok by randommers on the internet might be an idea

A trip to the pharmacy is a good idea.
BUT self help measures are worth trying as well. Salty water is actually a good cure for loads of things. (Drs suggest soluble aspirin gargles for sore throats.)
Antiseptic cream ( clue in the name ANTI- SEPTIC) is worth trying too.

Stop being so patronising.

I had this - and it turned into an infection. I had to go the GP and have it lanced, then antibiotics for a week. It was raised, white and swollen. All from picking my fingernails!

OP when my DH had a nail infection the only thing that cured it was antibiotic tablets. Sprays/creams didn't work at all.