Infection next to nail

[manlymatt83]

So a few days ago, I had a hang nail, and pulled it off. All was fine until yesterday morning. Woke up to find the piece of skin to the left of my nail on my thumb hurting like crazy. Today, its white and puffy, and I'm in so much pain.

Tried popping it with the tip of a knife, to no avail. The pain is absolutely horrible and I'm not sure what to do!

Any ideas? Will go to the doctor tomorrow, but until then - pop it?

 

[Barfo]

pics?

 

[CKent]

If you keep at it with the knife you'll eventually break into the pus chamber and drain it, and it will feel much better. Probably a good idea to then disinfect it and wrap it to help keep it from becoming chronic.

 

[lxskllr]

Lance it, and add peroxide?

 

[Bill Brasky]

Use a needle or pin to pop it.

 

[schneiderguy]

drug resistant flesh eating staph infection FTW

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: CKent
If you keep at it with the knife you'll eventually break into the pus chamber and drain it, and it will feel much better. Probably a good idea to then disinfect it and wrap it to help keep it from becoming chronic.

Should I do this through the side of the nail, or go directly into the part of the skin where it hurts?

 

[schneiderguy]

Originally posted by: manlymatt83

Originally posted by: CKent
If you keep at it with the knife you'll eventually break into the pus chamber and drain it, and it will feel much better. Probably a good idea to then disinfect it and wrap it to help keep it from becoming chronic.

Should I do this through the side of the nail, or go directly into the part of the skin where it hurts?

Just smash it with a hammer.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: manlymatt83

Originally posted by: CKent
If you keep at it with the knife you'll eventually break into the pus chamber and drain it, and it will feel much better. Probably a good idea to then disinfect it and wrap it to help keep it from becoming chronic.

Should I do this through the side of the nail, or go directly into the part of the skin where it hurts?

never go thru the nail.

go directly into the skin.

my guess is a piece of the nail slivered off and went into the skin. you may have to dig that piece out.

when i get hangnails, i always just cut as far back as i possibly can, and rip em out with a pair of pliers. it works for me.