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Original poster

I stabbed myself in the thumb - do I need A&E?

29 replies

imaginaryfriend · 29/07/2008 23:27

It's painful so I cant type that much.

I ended up stabbing myself (accidentally) in the soft fleshy pad of my thumb, about 1" from the end. It's gone a kind of pale bluish white colour, feels quite numb and cold. Dp says this is just to be expected but I'm worried I've damaged the circulation or something.

A&E or wait and see?

OP posts:
gigglewitch · 29/07/2008 23:28

ooops and OUCH it sounds painful!!
Try NHS direct 0845 46 47 and get checked out if you're worried in any way. Blue-ish doesn't sound good to me, i have to say.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 29/07/2008 23:46

I hate NHS direct

OP posts:
gigglewitch · 29/07/2008 23:47

so do i...

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 29/07/2008 23:51

Whenever I've called them it's taken hours and they've suggested nothing helpful.

OP posts:
gigglewitch · 29/07/2008 23:53

ditto.

Seriously, though, what do you think you've done and what did you stab it with?

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 30/07/2008 00:06

it's so ridiculous really. I was showing dd's childminder how to use her epipen (she has severe peanut allergy). We had 2 epipens that were out of date so I thought I'd show her by jabbing one into a cushion only I held it the wrong way round and jabbed myself in the thumb. The needle is long (intended to go into a thigh) so it hit my thumb bone internally and bent so that it was a nightmare to get out, we had to twist and turn it. I did 't get any of the adrenaline shot but it really bloody hurt.

OP posts:
ravenAK · 30/07/2008 00:13

Ow!

I can't think what they'd do for it though. Unless it gets infected...

Definitely don't bother with NHS Direct. You'll have to do triage on the phone with 3 different people, then they'll offer you an out of hours appointment in 10 minutes, somewhere an hour's drive away, & get hoity toity when you suggest just going to your local A&E instead.

I'd wait & see I think.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 30/07/2008 00:14

I can't think what they'd do either. It's just that it's so marbley looking and so pale that I worried I'd get gangrene or something.

OP posts:
TinkerBellesMum · 30/07/2008 00:31

Either get it looked at tonight in A&E or ask for an emergency appointment with your practice nurse in the morning. Depends how much pain you are in and if you feel you can wait.

KerryMum · 30/07/2008 00:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 30/07/2008 00:36

I meant to stab into an orange but I held it the wrong way so pushed my thumb onto the needle rather than the trigger.

All adrenaline visible in the body of the pen and I would have felt it immediately if any had got in my blood stream.

OP posts:
Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 30/07/2008 00:38

Off to bed now, hope it doesn't fall off in the night!

OP posts:
KerryMum · 30/07/2008 00:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SaintGeorge · 30/07/2008 01:05

If it is white and numb then it sounds to me like some adrenaline did go in.

I would strongly advise a trip to A&E. It can be dealt with quickly and simply. But better safe than sorry, the consequences of non-treatment could be nasty.

PurpleOne · 30/07/2008 02:16

My dd1 acidentally stepped on a sewing needle this morning. By my docs advice, we had to get a paramedic here to get the needle out (as it was bent inside and an inch deep) and then go to a+e for a tetanus shot and antibiotics.

Go get it checked out - it could get infected.

TinkerBellesMum · 30/07/2008 09:15

Only children need a tetanus injection. If you had all up to the DTP at 14 (Year 9) then you are covered.

SaintGeorge · 30/07/2008 11:10

Tetanus boosters are required TBM if it is more than 10 years since your last one.

TinkerBellesMum · 30/07/2008 11:29

Not according to my doctor when my little finger had a run in with a rusty clothes prop. The NHS website also says that the full course as a child are enough.

SaintGeorge · 30/07/2008 16:56

Sorry, I read the NHS site differently:

"Tetanus - if all childhood vaccinations are up-to-date, a tetanus booster is only needed for people who are at risk of getting tetanus following injury."

Maybe your doctor thinks you are still within the coverage from your childhood jabs because of your age. If you were older, he might have responded differently.

TinkerBellesMum · 30/07/2008 22:05

I read something different to that. Odd that it contradicts itself.

I am older!

SaintGeorge · 30/07/2008 22:17

Nah, you're just a young thing

TinkerBellesMum · 30/07/2008 22:24

Yes, but still well over 10 years since my last one. But don't I feel old! I think this autoimmune disease should be renamed the "makes you old well before your time" disease. But that might be a bit long!

SaintGeorge · 30/07/2008 22:28

Sympathies, I have auto immune problems too.

Apologies to imaginaryfriend for slight thread detour - any news on the thumb yet?

misi · 30/07/2008 22:30

if its marbly and pale with bluish tinges, get to A + E as soon as, sounds as if you have cut a blood vessel in the thumb and no blood supply is getting to the area. how deep, how big and what did you stab it with?

misi · 30/07/2008 22:36

current CMO guidelines say that a tetanus booster is needed every 10 years for everyone, inc adults

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