Infected finger for two weeks- advise me?

[hairyfrogs]

Calling on the wise people of mumsnet who always know what to do.

I’m too inept to post a picture but I have had an infection by the nailbed of one finger for exactly two weeks. Initially red and swollen with not much obvious pus. One week in I pricked it with a sterilised pin and managed to get a small amount of pus out. I thought it was improving but last couple of days continues to be red and has a yellowish crust around nailbed (sorry if you are having lunch).

Work colleagues keep scaremongering and telling me I need a GP appointment. Any thoughts, experiences or words of wisdom? It is painful to touch but not if left alone.

Mark the edge of the red with pen. If it starts spreading up your finger, go to ooh and get some antibiotics.

Show the GP your photos. It's clear that it is getting worse

I thought it was getting better! 🙈

I had that a few years ago, so painful! I cut mine open with a scalpel, such a relief. Hope the appointment goes well!

That’s infected and needs an antibiotic. Honestly, go to the doctors. I had the same issue with my big toe a few weeks back, felt embarrassed about going to the doctor, but because I left it, it got so bad I could barely walk and ended up having to take 2 days off work as I couldn’t get a shoe on! Antibiotics cleared the infection in a few days and my toe nail has now fell off 😩

If you're really not sure then go to a reputable chemist's and ask the pharmacist, I've done that with a range of minor ailments and they are very clear about what can be treated over the counter and what needs a GP.

Good to see you have got an appointment. I hope you get it sorted.

Salt water soak works a treat for most gunky issues. Just warm water with normal salt dissolved in 3 times a day and let air dry