Infected fingernail

[Earthymama]

I caught my fingernail last week and ripped off the nail right into the side. There was a hangnail that I pulled off, BIG mistake as it is really really sore and infected. The side is swollen red and shiny, and it is continually gunky.
I've soaked it in hot salt water, covered it with a plaster and Savlon, and tried leaving it uncovered. It's so sore I can't bear it if I hit it, makes me feel sick.
So any ideas to help it to heal? I'm away at the weekend & would like it to be a little better before then,(as would DP as I am whining now!!)

can you go and check with a pharmacist? If it were me, I'd buy some iodine and try soaking it in a diluted bath of it. Are your tetanus jabs up to date?

Magnesium sulphate paste can be used to draw pus out, - you can get it from any chemist.

But if it continues to get worse, I'd go and see the practice nurse in case you need an AB.

Oh meant to say, if there's any sign of a red line going up your arm from the wound, you do need to go to the doctor/nurse.

Don't mean to be pessimistic, but I did something similar to my big toenail last summer and didn't go to the doctor for five weeks because I thought 'come on, it's just a sore nail'. But it didn't get better, and when I finally did go it had to be operated on - a very minor op under local anaesthetic, where the surgeon cut away the whole side of the nail along its length. It's growing back now very slowly. I think if I'd gone to the doctor earlier, ABs would have sorted it out.

Thanks for your advice, I'll try iodine and magnessium!
I will watch for infection spreading, Im a real hypocondriac and have a really low pain threshold so I'll be off to the docs if it doesn't improve.
It's constantly throbbing, as the actress said to the bishop!!

Aaaargh had missed your post BE!!
I really will be careful, I'm a "picker" so I will endevour to leave it alone as well. I hope your toe is soon fully recovered!!