Does this need draining?

[oldbirdy]

DS has an infected finger. Been on antibiotics since Friday. Gp lanced it Friday but the pus is building up and I think it needs draining again. In terms of the infection it is much less sore so I am not too worried and he has 2 more days antibiotics to go. Should I attempt to drain it myself (worried about not properly sterilising though) or give the surgery a call in the morning to see if the nurse can do it?
Photo attached.

I'd think that probably should be drained. If it were my finger I'd do it myself but as it's a child I'd probably see the nurse.

Yes that needs draining. As Polly said If it was my finger I would do it but probably best to make an appointment tomorrow.

Is it sufficiently swollen that the skin is taut? If it were me I'd just sterilise a sewing needle in a flame and give it a little prick - pressure will do the rest. But as others say, you may be more comfortable the GP doing it.

P.S. reminds me of the only Latin phrase I know: Ubi pus, ibi evacua.

Where there is pus, let it out

Yes that needs to be drained, but I think you could easily do it yourself. It just needs to have the skin either eased away from the nail bed or pierced with a needle, which will be easy given how full it is. Either a flame, boiling water or alcohol will sufficiently clean the needle.

I have antiseptic wipes, would that sterilize the needle? Or vodka plus wipes??

It'll be good enough for a quick poke in the side of a pus-filled finger. Let it air dry before you use it. His finger is, after all, filled with infected bacteria. Just make sure you give his finger a gentle clean before and after you've squeezed out the pus, too.

Put the needle, or the end of needle in boiling water for around 15 seconds to sterilise it.