Stubbon child or psychologically damaged?

[Raroge14]

Hi, my two and half yr old son cut his finger about a week ago. The cut on his finger has healed but you can still see it. Thinking that he doesn't like seeing the cut we have put a plaster over the healed wound. He now refuses to open his hand. He clenches that hand into a fist and refuses to use it or to open his hand, although he now opens his hand for it to be washed or to have another plaster on his finger. I'm wondering if he's just being stubbon, or if he's been so traumatised he's somehow scared to use the hand? Anyone had any experience with this type of behaviour?

I definitely wouldn't treat it as stubbornness. I wouldn't try to pressure him to use it but instead just talk him through how to use it again. But if he doesn't listen that's OK. He will likely just gradually start using it again. I think it's important that he goes at his own pace.

Don't keep putting plasters on it, move on, it'll wear off.

I don't think it's either of those two really. He found it upsetting and now it's become a habit. Don't make a big deal out of it, try not to even mention it. I'm sure he'll move past it soon.

He’s not traumatised or stubborn. Just being a toddler.
Take the plaster off, kiss it and say all better. Then ignore, he’ll get over it.

Ignore it and dont make it an issue.

Has it healed completely? Could there be glass in there still?

Thanks everyone, no glass was involved so its not that. We've tried bribery, encouragment, chats about how is hand is/why he won't use it, ignoring the situation and prising his hand open. We've progressed to he will open his hand when we wash his hands so we know he can use it. I think you're right LoveComesQuickly, it's become a habit that he has the hand closed to protect the finger, which is completely sealed but you can still see the healing wound

I think I'd just stop talking about it and not refer to it at all.

Just ignore it