Dr. OOT: Jacked up finger, risk of infection, amputation? (pics)

[absoludicrous]

I injured my right ring finger while taking ground balls at softball practice on Monday evening (~36 hrs ago). It's pretty messed up.

I took a grounder head on and it tore my ring fingernail back and up about 1/8", and the tip/first knuckle is swollen quite good. I don't think it's broken as I'm not in constant pain.

I don't have health ins. and want to avoid seeing a doc if possible. I don't want to lose a finger either.

So far I have been giving it 5 minute hydrogen peroxide soaks every 6 hours or so, and applying Neosporin on the wound, and covering it well with a dressing. Not to mention I'm icing as well to lessen the swelling.

Dr. OOT, how am I doing? Will this get infected, and kill me? Should I see a doc?

Pics:

[mason55]

If the nail is [censored] up it will just die and fall off and a new one will grow back. If the finger is broken then it will heal eventually. Maybe go to CVS and get one of those finger splints if you're worried to protect it.

[dylan's alias]

Stop using peroxide. It will interfere with the normal healing process. You are also better off leaving it uncovered for at least a few hours a day. Mason is right, if the nail is really broken, it will fall off. When the new one grows in, you may be at risk for an ingrown nail, which may get infected, but that could be weeks-months away. For now, if your finger doesn't get red/warm/swollen and more painful, it isn't infected.

[absoludicrous]

[ QUOTE ]

Stop using peroxide. It will interfere with the normal healing process.

[/ QUOTE ]

Suggestions on how to clean it out on a daily basis then?

[mason55]

Clean it out once and cover it with something breathable. Rinse it with some warm water every so often. Or just ignore it, it really doesn't look that bad.

[whywhywhy]

you are a [censored] pansy ass softie...i mean...you got a hangnail...get your little girl hands stronger and [censored] like this wont happen...your finger is fine and will start to heal imm. if you dont put anything on it and let it breathe...but seriously....walk it off

[crovax4444]

yea, your finger doesn't look bad, and the nail will most likely fall off. It's a painless process, and you probably won't even notice until the new one is half grown

Crovax

[absoludicrous]

[ QUOTE ]
you are a [censored] pansy ass softie...i mean...you got a hangnail...get your little girl hands stronger and [censored] like this wont happen...your finger is fine and will start to heal imm. if you dont put anything on it and let it breathe...but seriously....walk it off

[/ QUOTE ]


lol, ok tough guy. for the record, it's slightly worse then the pics look...if i had went to a professional photoshoot, and had the pics taken by a pro, maybe I could have captured it better...

[traz]

I've watched enough House to know that the most likely explanation is that your finger came in contact with some flesh eating bacteria. Once it is done with your finger it will spread to your hand, then your arm, and then your entire body. Best to just cut your losses and be happy with 9 fingers.

In addition, you probably have an undetectable tumor hidden in your body and some disease from South America that you contracted from a rare bug, which will cause fever, low blood cell count, and possibly cardiac arrest in the near future.

[DavidC]

My medical advice for you? Leeches.

Tried and true.