How much should I worry about my cut?!
Question: I cut the tip of my finger one week ago on a sharp knife. I had just started working and didn't really take the time to examine myself, I just wrapped it up and went on my way. It wasn't until the next day that I really looked at it. I wasn't bleeding anymore, but I noticed the cut was about 1/4 inch deep into the fingertip and had a sort of "flap" that wouldn't completely close on its own. It was too late to go for stitches (also, I have no health insurance) so since then I've been using ointment and bandages applied just so to try and keep the edges together. Well, the wound still gapes when I take the bandage off, and the edges around the would are white, and have become rather dry. Is the skin totally dead here? Should I trim the dead cells off and just expect some bad scarring? What other kind of self-aid can I do to maximize healing? Again, NO HEALTH INSURANCE, so please don't tell me to call my doctor. And it is not infected, I do know this.
Thanks.
Answers: I cut the tip of my finger one week ago on a sharp knife. I had just started working and didn't really take the time to examine myself, I just wrapped it up and went on my way. It wasn't until the next day that I really looked at it. I wasn't bleeding anymore, but I noticed the cut was about 1/4 inch deep into the fingertip and had a sort of "flap" that wouldn't completely close on its own. It was too late to go for stitches (also, I have no health insurance) so since then I've been using ointment and bandages applied just so to try and keep the edges together. Well, the wound still gapes when I take the bandage off, and the edges around the would are white, and have become rather dry. Is the skin totally dead here? Should I trim the dead cells off and just expect some bad scarring? What other kind of self-aid can I do to maximize healing? Again, NO HEALTH INSURANCE, so please don't tell me to call my doctor. And it is not infected, I do know this.
Thanks.
well, i think you should just keep up with what you are doing. be aware that it probably will not close up completely and there will be dead skin on the edges. i would probably just cut them off with some very clean, charp nail trimmers. no worries!! it'll flatten out in time and yeah, you'll most likely have a scar.
Get a bandaid that is called butterfly bandage. The skin has to be dry when you put it on, it closes the wound until it heals just like stitches. Leave on until it is healed or falls off. I bought them at drug stores .
As long as it doesn't get infected, if will be fine. Just keep a bandaid on it and the skin will heel itself and close. Make sure and wash it with soap and water every day, and after touching anything "germy". Also, make sure you don't use any peroxide or alcohol on it, as this will kill the healthy cells trying to heal your cut. Just make sure it doesn't get red, puffy, or have any puss in it, as infections are far more dangerous than people realize. Good luck!
well, besides the obvious, i think your problem is that it needs to be held together.
you might try some small butterfly strips. and then bandage over that. when you take off the bandage to clean and inspect, leave the butterfly strips on. if you pull apart the wound every day taking off the bandage, it will never heal.
The flap of skin usually dies, it sounds like yours is dead & if you trim it off (use clean utensils by cleaning with rubbing alcohol) then you may get less of a scar. Be careful not to cut away too much or you will have to see a Dr. Clean wound with soap & water each day & apply band-aid. Let it be open to air when you can to promote healing, but make sure you are keeping it clean at this time.
RN
I had something like that happen on my thumb. Yeah, the small flap died, and then it healed, good as new, except for a little scar.