my finger is infected!

purplepuggles

and i really don't want to go to the doctor....home remedies? it is along the nail. swollen, painful, hot to the touch..a litle earlier it oozed a lot of pus (TMI, i know) but now it is still swollen but nothing more is coming out.

i doused it with hydrogen peroxide and it is currently bandaged, covered in neosporin...i don't know what to do! IT HURTS!!! and i hate the doctor and have to go to the dentist tomorrow so i would rather deal with this at home as long as it is safe to do so...

Hippinski

Do you have any access to essential oils?  Clove or lavender should clear it right up.

smurfetteinred

Honestly, it's not the answer you want to hear, but with what you're describing, I would be making an appointment stat. Since it's swollen but not oozing then it's likely that anything you're treating it with isn't even getting to the infection. And small stupid things like that can erupt into much bigger problems if they get into the blood stream.

Whatever you do (((hugs)))

purplepuggles

smurfetteinred:

Honestly, it's not the answer you want to hear, but with what you're describing, I would be making an appointment stat. Since it's swollen but not oozing then it's likely that anything you're treating it with isn't even getting to the infection. And small stupid things like that can erupt into much bigger problems if they get into the blood stream.

Whatever you do (((hugs)))

it oozed earlier...could it be that all the gross oozed out and now it is just swollen? this is what i was hoping for...

MrsD_111106

I agree with smurfette. (sorry!)  I had an infection around my toenail last summer and had to get a prescription strength cream for it.  We didn't want it to get into my bloodstream.

Jberbie25

smurfetteinred:

Honestly, it's not the answer you want to hear, but with what you're describing, I would be making an appointment stat. Since it's swollen but not oozing then it's likely that anything you're treating it with isn't even getting to the infection. And small stupid things like that can erupt into much bigger problems if they get into the blood stream.

Whatever you do (((hugs)))

luvlieK

Did the neosporin make it hurt more? ?Could it be bacteria?

PuppyMommy

This has happened to me in the past.  It is not fun.  If I remember correctly, my doctor told me to put it in warm water and let it soak.  Usually that takes care of it, especially if some of the ooze has already come out. I have noticed that if any ooze comes out, even a tiny bit, it will be better by the next day. I bite my cuticles...can you tell?

Only once did I have to go on antibiotics and I also had to go in to the doctors so they could slice it open and let the infection out (gross, I know), but it was worth it in the end.  My Mom's BFF once used a penny to push all of her cuticles back (she was a kid) and they ALL got infected.  She had to have all ten of her fingers sliced open.

smurfetteinred

Puppymommy - I just threw up in my mouth a little!

lytedark

smurfetteinred:

Puppymommy - I just threw up in my mouth a little!

this!  ewwww..

purplepuggles - what'd you do to your finger??  i'm late to this so you may need to see how it is today and go from there but i would ditto the soaking in warm water - i wonder if warm salt water would help...isn't salt water supposed to help in the healing process?

def keep a close eye on it if it doesn't start getting better like a-sap though because like pp's said you want to make sure it's not going to move into the bloodstream, etc

ETA - also you don't want to keep it wrapped up tightly 24/7 because it won't heal without air so as long as you can keep it clean i would keep it unwrapped at least part of the day!  or night maybe?