wwyd with ds's finger? pics attached

[FatimaShitbread]

Dm is pushing me to take ds (9) to a&e. He was hit worth a rock around 4ish and I have been told it started to go black instantly although this has since spread. They're is also a bruise forming on the other side of his finger. Wwyd? Is it an a&e job or a Docs in the morning job? Or do I leave it altogether? Ds said it feels like it has a heartbeat and it's very tight to the point where he can't bend it.

Go to A&E, they will make a hole through the nail to relieve the pressure.

I've seen that on 24hrs in a&e! He's fallen asleep for now thanks to the Gods Calpol and Nurofen. Can it wait till morning if he stays asleep? Is it not something we can get done at the gp?

I'd leave it to be honest - like a bruise it will dissipate and his body will reabsorb the bleeding. Although obviously if he's still in pain in the morning or it swells even more it's probably best to get it seen.

He has been up in the night with it and is complaining again now. A&e or gp?

Have you got a minor injuries or walk in clinic? I'd take him there.

We live in quite a small town. We don't have either of those!

I'd probably keep him dosed with paracetamol and ibuprofen, and pop some ice on it. Then if still not controlling the pain take him to the children's clinic(if your gp has this) or do a telephone consult. But if the pain relief and ice was keeping the pain under control then I'd just let nature take it's course.

Disclaimer: My kids have to have a limb turning black and dropping off before I worry

It doesn't sound like an emergency. Give him something for the pain and phone the gp when they open.

You can pierce the nail yourself. You need something sharp, but thick like a needle for sewing up knitting. Have to sterilize it and then heat it up with a flame and melt the nail with the hot needle. Just be prepared that the blood will spurt about 5 feet in the air. The pain relief will be instant. That's what ended up happening with exh when he had this. Went to A&E, but he threatened to punch the nurse trying to do the piercing if he hurt him and they kicked him out. Nurse neighbor did it for him instead.

Gp should be able to do it, if you can't bring yourself to do the piercing.

Yes ib think that's the best course of action to take. GP opens at 8 so I'll call them. I just didn't know whether it was an a&e job because they have the tools to trephine it.

My dd got her finger closed in door, same thing happened. Blood gathered below the nail, the pressure caused A lot of pain, it then became infected and the finger swelled up. I took her to Gp surgery in another country as we were on holiday. The practice nurse had a machine to pierce a hole but dd wouldn't allow her to do it. When we got home she had to be held by my dh and another dr in the surgery while the procedure was carried out because it became much worse. My other dd fainted while all this was going on!

How is it?

Oh dear Graceymac that sounds awful!
thanks for asking how he is. I've been to work and he's been with his Nana. Couldn't get in at the doctors so he's gone to the chemist with dh now. The area around his cuticle has swollen up and looks as though the nail may split.

Are you serious...gp wouldn't see a little child in pain? Actually, now that I remember, A&E were going to do the piercing with nothing more sophisticated than a large metal paperclip. You can just do it yourself.

Or use heated paperclip.

I didn't get to tell gp the problem. Stupid automated appointment system wouldn't give me an appointment til Wednesday and when I tried to speak to an advisor they hung up! Twice!
Pharmacist said leave it. It's starting to split the nail now so won't be long until the pressure is released.

Yes, but then his nail will fall off. If you pierce it, you may be able to save the nail.

I had similar injury when I was small from a dodgy vacuum cleaner. The nail sort of crumbled away but it all grew back. Hope it's not too painful for him. It never occurred to anyone to take me to the doctor about mine. (Until we saw it on watchdog!)

Omg take the poor kid to a doctor! No way would I have allowed to be fobbed off all day.

I would take him to A &E, if they relieve the pressure it won't be as sore.
(I used to be a GP!)

Also, they maya to rule out a fracture in his finger, if it's bled under the nail they may class it as an open fracture and give antibiotics - they used to when I did A &E many years ago

Surely this comes under the A of a&e. Namely an accident. As you weren't able to see your gp I'd have taken him to the hospital

for goodness sake, don't try to pierce the nail yourselves

take to A+E in the morning if it isn't significantly better

I have no intention of piercing it myself. Besides I doubt he'd be keen on a Doctor doing it so I don't stand a chance!
The tight feeling is still there although the heartbeat is fading. Plus the nail is cracking and I think that will relieve some more of the pressure. I'll give him another once over tomorrow and make a decision. Thanks all.