Poisoned Thumb

[mrsmacmc]

I am currently on hold with 111, to speak with a clinician. I was looking for similar experiences / helpful hints please so don’t say ‘oh call 111 / go to hospital’

My thumb started to swell Thursday night, right hand and right handed, applied some mag sulph paste and covered with dressing hoping to draw out whatever was potentially there. Continued this routine along with salt water soaks (it’s utter agony if someone or something touches it) and today have noticed hand and finger are swelling in comparison to my other hand. Have also been keeping it elevated when I can as it stops the pulsing sensation in my hand. Today I have also lost grip strength in my hand. No temp but feeling blah (feel blah most days!) The mag sulph paste has been drawing out small amounts of gunk but finger tip feels like it’s ‘full’

Any suggestions or helpful tips

Sounds like you need to see an orthopaedic surgeon. I’d be heading in to ED. (Doi: doc but not an orthopod)

Thanks Greybeardy awaiting callback from OOH service locally to be seen 🤞🏻 I hate bothering people 😣 from the generation brought up with the ‘your leg is still attached get on with it’ 🤦‍♀️

My aunt had a poisoned finger when visiting us. I made an appointment at our local emergency centre which is run by nurse practitioners. They lanced it, cleaned it up and bandaged it up and sent her on her way with antibiotics and painkillers.

Took about half an hour. Brilliant service. Guess what? They are now planning to close the service.

Paronychia.

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/paronychia-acute/management/management/

Thanks all ANP has given me antibiotics and to go for MIU appt in 48hr if no better or gets worse. They are concerned it may be a felon finger infection 🫠 hopefully caught it before it gets worse