Infected cuticle?? No pus yet but it's red, hot and angry *pic*

[rebelnotaslave]

Ring finger on my right hand, swollen, hot, red. I think it is spreading underneath my nail as well. I can't see any pus, but it is throbbing and soooo painful.

I've soaked it in hot water, is there anything else I can do without leaving the house? Dh is away working.

Oops, picture.

Or not

Oooh a Whitlow.

Regular soaks in hot salty water, rub in sudocrem or similar after., Take an anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen. You might need antibiotics if it gets worse.

Very painful I agree

Keep soaking in hot water and take painkillers. It should burst eventually, but don't poke it . Maybe a hot bath may do the trick

Weirdly, I had loads of these after having both dc. They were great, if a bit sore! Remember to take a pus pic when it goes!

If it's a whitlow they just have to run their course like a cold sore ...

don't poke it Not even a little bit? ;)

I'll keep soaking. Man it's painful. I'm allergic to ibuprofen, so paracetamol it is. If it's a whitlow then it's Dh's fault, he gets cold sores. I mean it might not be, but I'm blaming him :)

So the swelling grew and grew, until it was so painful and the the throbbing was worrying. So I poked a bit and managed to find the pus and squeeze it out. It actually down the side of the nail.

Can I post pus photos?

Of course you can post pus and indeed you must - sporner's corner expects it

It's the law here!!! Go for it

Phew. It wasn't the lovely pop and burst pus. Lots of slow bubbles, but there is some relief.

! That must be so painful

I should have posted earlier, I couldn't get any joy with a needle, but pulling the skin away from the nail always resulted in a good harvest for me!