Infected thumb in 18 month old

[stickybean]

I have just noticed that my DD has an area of pus around one side of the nail on her thumb so can safely assume it is an infection. It is only small at the moment.

Do you think this is the sort of thing that should wait till monday or should i take her to the walk in clinic.
Any other advice, any idea of creams i can buy over the counter.

I have tried soaking it in warm salt water but she won't sit still to let me do it.

The reason i am so concerned about sorting it out ASAP (except for her discomfort of course) is that i am 41 weeks pregnant and could have to leave at any moment to go to the hospital and would rather deal with it before my mum takes over childcare!!!

First of all does she suck on her thumb???

An infection of the thumb is a common infection caused by Herpes simplex. This infection of the nail bed is called herpetic whitlow. It is a self-limiting infection that usually resolves without treatment. It will run its course in five-to-ten days.

If she hasnt been sucking her thumb or messing about with anything that may have infected it then it could be a bacterial infection that will need antibiotics but this is less common than the whitlow infection.

Try this to relieve any discomfort. btw.Its not a good idea to squeeze the puss out as this can make it worse.

Epsom salts instead of table salt

Put a table spoon of epsom salts in a cup of warm water and dip cotton wool ball into it, then apply to her thumb. Keep it there as long as you can and repeat about 4 times a day. Another little tip is to put a little bandage (not plaster as these can make the skin sweat therfore aiding infection) and wrap the thumb in it when she goes to bed, this will help the puss to stay contained and not spread while shes sleeping as you dont want it going in her mouth cause she could get an oral infection and that will not be nice for her or you.

Hope this helps, and if it hasnt cleared up within 5 days, take her to the GP.

how old is DD. It will need antibiotics from the sound of it...but soak in saline until you can get to a docs.

derrrrrrrr....yes shes 18 months old. Should have read the title properly. if you have any magnesium sulphate paste that might help if you put a bandage over it.

Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate...though Aly is right the paste may work better for night time...under the bandage.