When you cut your finger...

[SchuberT]

Okay, so it;s more like a decent sized chunk of skin lopped off. Any ideas on how to take care of it?

Should I keep pressure on it and/or keep it above my heart? It tends to bleed pretty badly. Besides the classic hydrgen peroxide/ neosporin combination, is there anything else I can do to make sure it doesn't get infected? I ought to keep it covered with a bandaid and stuff, I imagine.

By the way. it isn't a modeling related injury. I was practicing with my balisong knife (butterfly knife) and sort of sliced a piece of skin from the side of my finger. I took some initial action including the hydrogen peroxide and neosporin, and right now it is very tightly wrapped in a bandaid. Any advice you can offer is great, and I figured this crowd is one of my best bets for "cut" advice. Thanks.

PS, I've already had a recent tetanus shot.

[freakray]

Apply direct pressure if it's still bleeding, if it makes you feel better keep your hand elevated too.

[Whumbachumba]

If it absolutely won't stop bleeding, get some super glue and put it over it. It'll harden it up and stop it from bleeding, but use that as a last resort. Like freakray said, keep it elevated and apply alot of pressure to it. If it doesn't stop, I'd go to the hospital/doctor and have them fix it.

[SchuberT]

Thanks for the quick replies. I think I've got it covered now.

[Dean23]

When I cut my hand or fingers at work, I just super glue it shut...works like a charm and keeps me fixin cars!

[ec437]

Originally Posted by Dean23

When I cut my hand or fingers at work, I just super glue it shut...works like a charm and keeps me fixin cars!

Superglue in cuts is a bad idea; one of the things your body metabolizes it into is formaldehyde. Pulled from wikipedia:

"Studies have shown that methyl-2-cyanoacrylate (SuperGlue and KrazyGlue) degrade fairly rapidly upon contact with living tissue. This leads to the release of formaldehyde and a toxic response. 2-octyl cyanoacrylate degrades much more slowly due to its longer organic backbone which slows the degradation of the adhesive enough to remain below the threshold of tissue toxicity. Due to these toxicity issues, 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate is used for sutures."

Keep pressure on it, or use one of the FDA approved products that are similar to superglue.

Or be a man, and rub some dirt on it.

[sivic02]

Since it was a clean cut that more than likely wouldnt have gotten any crap in it dont bother with hydrogen peroxide. Use a saline solution to clean it, dry it with a clean piece of gauze, slap some antibiotic ointment on it, and cover with a bandage. Something like a piece of gauze and some tape would be your best bet considering its on your finger.


Thats the smart thing to do....I say wash it off with some wild turkey 101, take a couple swigs for yourself, then pack a bunch of salt on there and tape it up really well.

[XeVeNskyLiNE]

Takes a man to nearly lose his finger and type on AF to ask for help.

[BP2K2Max]

i think you might have to amputate. sorry man.

[ec437]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

i think you might have to amputate. sorry man.

[Oz]

Point already well made. GO TO THE DOCTOR, YOU GENIUS.

[-Jayson-]

yeah dont be a dumbass just go to the doctor and have them stich it up. If its that bad to the point if there isnt pressure on it, it bleeds, you need to see a doctor. Not to mention if you go to a doctor they will put you on an antibiotic.

[rsxse240]

the doc will just soak it in hydrogen peroxide/iodine mix, (if it's bad enough) put a stitch or two in it, and send you home with a $500 invoice.

if it's a clean cut, soak it in peoxide/iodine, wrap it with gause/tape, make a splint out of a popsicle stick (to prevent your finger from bending and re-opening the cut) and suck it up. oh and drink lots of natural juices (orange juice, apple, grape) stay away from alcohol (it thins the blood and can unclot wounds) nicotine does the same thing, but not as bad.

now just be careful and don't bend it, or bump into anything with it, it'll hurt like a mo-fo!

[Cl0ak]

I work with glass i've cut the shit out of myself every way possible. Make sure its clean, get some butterfly bandages and tape the little punk closed. You'd be suprised what your body can heal without a visit to the doc, than again I hate doctors but you may want to go.

[beef_bourito]

if it was canada i'd say go to the doctor and have him stitch it up but since i'm guessing you're in the states, steri strips or butterfly bandages, pressure wrap if it still bleeds a bit, then just keep it dissinfected and replace the bandage once a day until it heals. try to expose it to air as soon as possible, but not if it's still an open wound.