A warning, & HELP, please!?!?!!!

[Anastazia]

K, 1st the warning...

...NEVER try to get raw fudge half frozen out of a pan with a sharp pointy knife! Let it unthaw a little, use a blunt edged butter knife, & BE CAREFUL!

I was attempting to get some fudge out of the pan, got distracted, was pushing too hard, holding the pan, & the knife slid HARD out from the fudge, & went RIGHT INTO THE CENTER OF MY RIGHT HAND almost an inch!!! I didn't mean to stab myself! it was SUCH a GROSS, shocking moment! :(

Good thing it wasn't a wide knife, or I would've definately needed stitches...
...just wanted to know what might help it heal fast, I have SOOOOO much packing to do!!!! It's throbbing & I can't sleep & it's 5 am...

...so far I've just washed it thoroughly (what a weird way to get fudge into your bloodstream!)taken a bunch of vitamin C & put some ointment on it to try to prevent it from getting infected...& a butterfly bandage, of course...

...any other suggestions? :confused:
I do have some goldenseal powder, should I put that around it? Or should that not be used on an open wound, I can't remember, & my books are packed...

And is there anything that'll stop the throbbing, short of painkillers?
I'd rub orajel on it (used to numb teeth when they hurt) but I'm worried it would get in the cut.

Good thing I'm left handed. I can't even hold paper in it without it aching. (But no, I didn't hit a tendon, I can move all my fingers...a little further, though, & it may've come through the other side...:eek: )
~Anastazia~

[GlimR]

So sorry you hurt yourself...I use Valerian tincture for pain or white willow bark....tea tree oil or lavender mixed with aloe on the cut would disinfect and soothe. Hope you get relief soon...AND after using it, hold your hand above your head for 10 minutes or so......always helps me~

[Revvell]

Glad you can still type.

If the wound is still open, stuff it with cayenne pepper.

Revvell

[Anastazia]

Thanks for the suggestions...don't have valarian or white willow, but why didn't I think of tea tree oil, I'll go put some on it now! & I'll try that, holding it above my head...when it was gushing, after being under the cold water, I held it up awhile, & that stopped the bleeding pretty quickly...hopefully it'll help with the throbbing!

...& wow, cayanne pepper! You'ld think that would sting, but I bet it doesn't! The wound is kinda gaping, so I'll aternate the tea tree with the cayanne.

Thanks, guys!

~Anastazia, the one-handed-typer~

[rainwolf]

As a nurse can I caution you a bit here to make sure that it does not need to be stitched? As far as healing- The wound needs to be cleansed thoroughly as whatever was on the knife is now in your system so making sure that is clean is a priority for healing and prevention of infection via microbes.

If it is seriously gaping, very dirty, or if you develop fever or red streaks around it you need to see a doc.

For home care- keep it clean! You can use ivory soap, and gently clean the area, and use fresh gauze to dry it off. Use a fresh swab to lightly apply neosporin on the wound. (not too much!) You can do this 3 times a day- wash and apply a topical. You will want to keep it covered while you are working with packing etc so as not to contaminate or aggrevate it further. You will want to keep the wound dry as much as possible.

Again, swelling, pain, fever, discharge, gaping wound that won't heal- painful movement of the hand (possibly due to damage to the metacarpals or intrinsic muscles)- seek medical attention. Many puncture wounds can be treated at home with success as long as they are clean and well looked after.

Best of luck!

[Anastazia]

Wow, thanks, Rainwolf, for taking the time to give such a detailed answer...it would be seriously gaping if it was longer, cuz it went so deep, but it's only maybe 2 cm's...
...I will watch for any signs of infection, I did rinse it thoroughly for a long while, but it does look a little pussy...(not like the kitty, but a little pus! Lol!)

It's funny, I was busy being glad I missed the bones that I forgot about muscles! Silly me! It is quite sore, but better than it was last night, throbbing all night!

Thanks again, I'll heed your words of wisdom!

~Anastazia~

[Lay-Lay]

Ouch! I'm sending you a good healing mother's kiss for you bobo.

[rainwolf]

but it does look a little pussy...(not like the kitty, but a little pus! Lol!)


LMAO! You know, I don't think there is another way to spell that word! I catch myself all the time with that one LOL

It sounds like there might be a little infection- you can take some motrin to help with swelling and pain. If it gets worse or continues to ooze despite home care, you may need antibiotics.

I sliced my knuckle wide open when I was washing dishes years ago- pulled a smart one and put my hand in a glass and it popped right open and cut me clean down! My husband butterfly bandaged it to get the skin together after we cleaned it, but it still got infected. I think I waited about 5 days until my hand hurt so bad I could not stand it LOL *Then* and only then did I see a doc. :p Moral of the story- your hand won't fall off, but if it feels like it might, tiny green pills are cooooooool. LOL:D

[Sugar Snap Pea]

...And have you had a Tetanus shot in the last 5 yrs? I know immunizations are a touchy subject for some, but others might want to take advantage of that.