Possibly the most stupidest question with the most obvious answer ever asked in 'Health'. Is it infected ?

[NomDePlume]

About 5 days ago I cut my finger. It wasn't particularly deep and I cleaned it and applied antiseptic cream straight away.

The cut has started to heal over but the area around it (the top of my right index finger) has swollen a little and a very painful blister has appeared around the wound. The skin is hot and it is throbbing with pain, I knocked it putting one of DD's toys away earlier and it nearly had me in tears !

I assume it is infected and therefore I will have to visit the doc for some sort of antibiotic ? Is there anything I can do at home instead without bothering the doc and waiting over 40mins, beyond my actual appointment time, to be seen ?

what did you cut it on?

did you leave a splinter or somesuch in it?

You could try nhs direct or go to a chemist and ask the pharmacist:

sounds infected though to me...not a silly question - i thought that's what mumsnet was for!

does it look like its full of pus?

I'd proabaly stick a pin in the swollen bit and see what comes out....

although I imagine pus would come out, not vomit...heheheheheee

Try bathing it in salt water. If it is red and inflammed, or looks pussy, you need antibiotics.

Do not shove unsterile pins into it as you may end up with blood poisoning.

I did, stupidly, do some gardening the day after without a plaster (or gloves). It is very possible that something got into then although I did wash my hands thoroughly afterwards.

No pus that I can see, just fluid in the blister

you could try some magnesium sulphate paste on it.

cheshirekitty is very red, hot, v painful and inflamed. I guess I should bite the bullet and bother the GP.

Thanks all

Yes it sounds like it is infected. If you did it in the garden I would definately go and see you GP to get yourself a course of ABs.

LOL, I meant to put 'it is very...'

The cut occured in the kitchen with a big very sharp knife. I was in the garden the day after.

sorry, my spelling is a bit wonky today

Oh I see what you're saying! I would still go and see your GP. You have all the signs of an infection, it's swollen, inflamed and painful. Almost def infected.

Thanks McDreamy and others. I'll make an appt tomorrow