Why won't my goddam finger heal!

[ilovebagpuss]

Hello, I have antibiotics for a hangnail infection they have many names. It seems to be taking forever and I'm worried the 5 days course won't kill it off.

It's so hot and the pad is sore. Any tips from you lovely sporners?

Slather on the drawing ointment and wrap it up. Come back to see us when it starts oozing.

I had one of these the other week! Soaked it in hot water, pierced with a needle and squeezed!

Have you been soaking it in warm water and also gently pulling back the skin (away from the sore bit, just putting some gentle traction further round your finger) to see if the pus underneath the nail will release? The relief when the pressure from the pus and swelling is gone is amazing.

Ooooo. Look at all the juicy puss waiting to explode!!!!!
Can I offer to treat it for you?

Seriously warm salty water, dry off, germoline on a plaster 2-3 times day.

A long bath and a bit of pressure around the swelling solved mine. I had been using some leftover fucidin cream but once the goo was out it was so much better.

another vote for warm salt water soaks. Then dry and keep covered.

Thank you, I did some bathroom cleaning and must have knocked it as I noticed the yellow puss coming out of the corner!

Managed to squeeze some out.

I made a little video as payment but it won't upload!

Here's a lovely still frame 😀

Definitely drawing ointment from the chemists. Works a treat.

Excellent 😁

I had a terrible one a few years ago and was fiddling with it while I was on a call at work when an enormous ball of pus half the size of the nail suddenly came out. Which was such a relief but as I was groping for a tissue I noticed the man at the desk next to me looking in utter horror 🤢

"Luckily" lockdown happened not long afterwards and I haven't had to see him since.

Oh , I had similar a few years ago ( happy memories )
So sore , and a green tinge on the swollen area
I stuck a pin ( clean and sterilised obviously , she lies ) in , and a slow green worm of pus came out
I wanted to show everyone , but my sister nearly threw up , so that didn’t go well !

Now it's open, get it back into warm salt water to soak!
Have another gentle squeeze at it (starting from the bottom IYSWIM), to encourage it to drain.
Try to soak twice daily and if there is an obvious place where the pus is trying to break through, pop with a sterilised needle as PP have suggested, but make it a slit rather than a hole (if you have a syringe needle these are great for this, as they have a really sharp edge at the tip).
If on the other hand, it seems to be progressing, get some ABs from your GP.

@vipersnest1 - upholstery needles are also brilliant (I may have used one to open the cat's abscess on his jaw). A small slit definitely better than a hole. So to speak.

I had this about 5 years ago. Was out with a friend for a day came back to Sunday lunch at her house and it looked like your finger. I didn’t think it would do anything but went to the bathroom must’ve knocked finger on sink or tap and a load of poison came out. They didn’t have any antiseptic cream but I did put a plaster on it.

When I spoke to DB he said he got these all the time as he bites his nails a lot.