Ds has nibbled skin off toe (pic included)

[Nibbler1]

Ds is 7 has an incredibly high pain threshold and is partial to biting his nails (hands and feet). He has been told hundreds of times not to (been to a and e previously with infected toe).
He has asd/adhd and it's something he struggles to control.

Anyway, he has nibbled/ripped a big piece of skin off his toe and he's saying it's sore. Do you think it needs looking at or think he'll be ok for me to let it air/sack on and wrap it up at home?

I should add he was admitted to hospital earlier in the year with cellulitis and I'm concerned in case that happens again

OUCH that looks so painful. Could you wait today and keep it clean and tell him to stop touching it then contact your GP and send the photos to them tomorrow. The problem is if he has a strong pain threshold it could end up becoming infected.

In fact - maybe it would be best to phone 111 and ask for their advice. It does look pretty bad to me.

Yeah I really don't want to be bothering a and e but I'm torn with this one

Ouchy I imagine that would be sore - it's raw baby skin. I would just keep it clean and dry, in sandals/ flipflops if possible.

Maybe sudocrem?

Also, lool up trichollotomania.

@Nibbler1

I should add he was admitted to hospital earlier in the year with cellulitis and I'm concerned in case that happens again

Looking again at it and your comment above - probably best to go to A&E because your son is young and you don't want it to get worse and IMO it looks very painful. I'm not a nurse though but as a mother I'd probably rather be safe than sorry. Good luck.

Bloody hell, that looks mighty sore, poor lad. If start by taking him to a pharmacy.

Keeping it clean and maybe dressed with a light lint free dressing might be enough until you can call your GP tomorrow?

@Palavah

Ouchy I imagine that would be sore - it's raw baby skin. I would just keep it clean and dry, in sandals/ flipflops if possible.

Maybe sudocrem?

Also, lool up trichollotomania.

It's dermatilomania if not mistaken.

Yes OP check that as it's good advice.

I will look that up thank you @Immigrantsong

Think I'm going to take him to the walk in centre to be on the safe side

There is a colourless nail polish by Mavela that tastes disgusting.

This may help with future nail and skin biting.

Good idea to take him to the wak in centre. This needs to be kept clean and sanitized to avoid infection.

I would ask for a referral for therapy to overcome this habit. It is part of the OCD spectrum and he will need support.

I was him btw.

If you can get a paraffin dressing. If not a thick layer of Vaseline, then some gauze over it and then bandage it to keep it clean. Treat it like a burn.

My DS does exactly the same regularly - he's 4. I've not actually given it a lot of thought. I just assumed he'd grow out of the habit...

@YourObedientServant he's always nibbled and does occasionally make himself sore but this was a bit extreme I thought. Was worried about him getting cellulitis again as he really struggled with the Canular when he was admitted and just bit a pleasant experience

He's had it looked at, they've dressed it and given antibiotics as it was starting to look more inflamed so hopefully that'll do the trick

I will look into the therapies suggested, thank you!

Not a pleasant experience *

Sounds like it's getting treated, so that's good. I might keep a closer eye on my own DS's behaviour around this as well.