Infected finger chemist or doctor?

[rockinghorse3256]

Think my finger is infected. I had a little cut at the side of my nail and it has slowly got worse. It is swollen, very sore and I can see what I think is pus under the skin. I don't want to waste doctors time, however, if it is an infection would a pharmacist be able to give me anything?
Also any home remedies anyone could recommend? Thanks

Pharmacist first. I use germaline with the local anesthetic in it for things like this. If the pharmacist says book a drs appointment, then you can go knowing you haven't wasted a slot.

Soak in hot salt water, run a cocktail stick around the cuticle, lifting the skin away where you can. It will drain and feel much better. Several times a day.

Look on sporner corner, someone had one the other day!

If you feel generally unwell, and red lines track up from the finger tip, then go to GP.

Swollen, sore, pus filled = infected = doctor.

(Watch out for redness spreading up the finger.)

I went to GP with this once as it was so sore and swollen. He lanced it and have me antibiotics.

Just to add, i'd tried treating it myself first but didn't help!

Dd had a bad toenail with a great big pocket of pus and red swelling last week. I got the famous magnesium paste (I'd never heard of it before mumsnet) and it worked astonishingly well. Within a few hours the pus pocket had burst and the swelling was way down. I had been concerned because a couple of years ago she had something similar on ger finger, it turned to cellulitis and she had to have antibiotics. As far as I'm concerned mag sulphate is a miracle paste! Try it first and keep a close eye on.it

You can deal with this at home as pps have suggested

Infection doesn’t always mean antibiotics - in an otherwise healthy individual the body deals with it itself. Make sure you follow the above tips especially the one about if it spreads or you feel ill -clammy night temp etc. Please think about antibiotic resistance and remember your body is brilliant at healing this kind of thing!

—or your finger might fall off—

Spud field, how do you make the paste? I've got the crystals, but can't work out how to paste them!

Paronychia? Pic includedwww.mumsnet.com/Talk/sporner_corner/3196892-paronychia-pic-included

Dh had this. The doctor drained it and gave him antibiotics.

Magnesium sulphate paste. Depends how infected it is as to whether it may need ABs, but the paste if a drawing agent and should bring up the puss.

You can buy the paste from a pharmacy by the way. Apologies I missed the post where someone else already recommended it.

I use TCP on stuff like this

I wouldn't go shoving cocktail sticks or anything into it, go to your GP.

Agree salt water wash regularly and keep it clean.
Pharmacy first . If you start to run a temperature, call 111 and/or go to GP. That shows your body isn't fighting it so well but, chances are, it can.
Or see a GP now if you are worried.

Thanks everyone been to the pharmacist she just said similar to what everyone is saying to see GP if it gets worse. Got some magnesium paste and going to do lots of salt water washes today and see how it is tomorrow.

You've prompted me to add magnesium paste to my medicine cabinet. Well done and hope you feel better soon.
Remember, we have loads more nerve endings on our fingers so everything that isn't right with your finger feels extra extra sore.