Should I be concerend about my thumb?

Airhog · 11-06-2005, 04:49 PM

My nails are always in rough shape, usually around the corners, since I chew my nails alot.

Fast foward to a few moment ago. My thumb has been swollen for the last 2 days. I noticed today that it looked a bit green at that spot. Looked like the color of a booger. So I decide to dig at it with a toothpick, and suddenly some greenish fluid comes out, like the color of pea soup. Should I be concerend about this? I don't wanna get gangrene and lose my thumb.

AlexB · 11-06-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhog

My nails are always in rough shape, usually around the corners, since I chew my nails alot.

Fast foward to a few moment ago. My thumb has been swollen for the last 2 days. I noticed today that it looked a bit green at that spot. Looked like the color of a booger. So I decide to dig at it with a toothpick, and suddenly some greenish fluid comes out, like the color of pea soup. Should I be concerend about this? I don't wanna get gangrene and lose my thumb.

Sounds like what happens to me every now and again with my big toe if I rip too much out of the corner while trying to 'tidy' up the nail - what happens to me is an area of broken skin becomes septic. If I squeeze out the puss type stuff and rinse it (this might sting a little), put antiseptic on it'll be fine.

Disclaimer - I am not a medical expert, and what you have may not be the same as what I've described

Simms · 11-06-2005, 05:24 PM

Sounds a lot like what my toe looked like when I had a really bad ingrown toenail in high school. If you're biting your fingernails a lot, it could certainly be something like that.

My toe was bad enough that I had to go see a podiatrist for several weeks, but if you're adept with a pair of tweezers and can stand a few moments of pain, it might be worth digging around in there and seeing if you can pull something out.

Bottom line is, it's almost certainly an infection of some kind, and while it's unlikely that you'll lose your finger over it, it *does* need to be addressed, either by you or by a professional. Don't ignore it. GO BLUE's advice above is sound re: short-term treatment.

sovereignstar · 11-06-2005, 05:28 PM

Off with your thumb!

lighthousekeeper · 11-06-2005, 06:13 PM

maybe you're just a good gardner

Riggins44 · 11-06-2005, 08:34 PM

We need pics.

Logan · 11-06-2005, 08:54 PM

I can't believe I saw the preview of this thread, and still opened it up...

Glengoyne · 11-06-2005, 09:02 PM

Ow Not Rubbing Alcohol.....Use Hydrogen Peroxide. It fizzes!

Simms · 11-06-2005, 09:40 PM

Incidentally, do not -- I repeat DO NOT -- do a Google Image search for "bactine" with safe search off.

DaddyTorgo · 11-06-2005, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simms

Incidentally, do not -- I repeat DO NOT -- do a Google Image search for "bactine" with safe search off.

just did one, don't know why you say that.

Glengoyne · 11-06-2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

just did one, don't know why you say that.

Well I had to go to page three of my Google search but I found

www.zentastic.com/entries/ 200505101621.html

and

bactine.deviantart.com/

Simms · 11-06-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

Well I had to go to page three of my Google search but I found

www.zentastic.com/entries/ 200505101621.html

Top row, first page of mine.

*shudder*

Crim · 11-07-2005, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lighthousekeeper

maybe you're just a good gardner

Well done.

Crim

Butter · 11-07-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhog

So I decide to dig at it with a toothpick

What is wrong with you people?!?!?

JeeberD · 11-07-2005, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simms

Top row, first page of mine.

*shudder*

*urp*

Me and my damn curiosity...

LoneStarGirl · 11-07-2005, 09:15 PM

Maybe you should be more concerned with your spelling Airhog.

Just kidding.
I am guilty of biting my nails regularly too. And I get the green gunk about twice a year. I just poke it with a toothpick or something sharp to get the green stuff out of it and it feels better. Or i pull the skin on my finger away from the nail and poke it. Its quite fun, but I wouldn't be worried. I haven't seen a doctor about it and mine go away within about 3 days.

terpkristin · 11-07-2005, 09:17 PM

Or, if you want to do something that's a bit...safer (?) than poking it with a toothpick, soak it in hot water and apply gentle pressure to the area. Usually there is already an opening involved, and the pus will just ooze out.
Hot water baths are your friends...

/tk

AZSpeechCoach · 11-07-2005, 09:22 PM

I just drained my finger. It was gross. Sort of like turning your finger into a Valomilk.

JeeberD · 11-07-2005, 09:45 PM

I get ingrown toenails all the time that get infected. Like others have said, just drain the sucker and then clean it out really well. Rinse and repeat until healed...

Airhog · 11-08-2005, 06:47 AM

It actually looks much better now. I think washing dishes helped

11-06-2005, 05:24 PM	#3
Simms FOBL Commish Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Team Radii	Sounds a lot like what my toe looked like when I had a really bad ingrown toenail in high school. If you're biting your fingernails a lot, it could certainly be something like that. My toe was bad enough that I had to go see a podiatrist for several weeks, but if you're adept with a pair of tweezers and can stand a few moments of pain, it might be worth digging around in there and seeing if you can pull something out. Bottom line is, it's almost certainly an infection of some kind, and while it's unlikely that you'll lose your finger over it, it does need to be addressed, either by you or by a professional. Don't ignore it. GO BLUE's advice above is sound re: short-term treatment. __________________ FOBL Commissioner 34 Productions Web Design Last edited by Simms : 11-06-2005 at 05:25 PM.

11-06-2005, 09:40 PM	#9
Simms FOBL Commish Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Team Radii	Incidentally, do not -- I repeat DO NOT -- do a Google Image search for "bactine" with safe search off. __________________ FOBL Commissioner 34 Productions Web Design

11-07-2005, 09:17 PM	#17
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	Or, if you want to do something that's a bit...safer (?) than poking it with a toothpick, soak it in hot water and apply gentle pressure to the area. Usually there is already an opening involved, and the pus will just ooze out. Hot water baths are your friends... /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

11-07-2005, 09:22 PM	#18
AZSpeechCoach College Prospect Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Phoenix	I just drained my finger. It was gross. Sort of like turning your finger into a Valomilk. __________________ The dumber people think you are, the more surprised they'll be when you kill them! Visit Stewart the Wonderbear and his amazing travels http://wonderbeartravel.blogspot.com

11-07-2005, 09:45 PM	#19
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	I get ingrown toenails all the time that get infected. Like others have said, just drain the sucker and then clean it out really well. Rinse and repeat until healed... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

11-06-2005, 05:28 PM	#4
sovereignstar Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004	Off with your thumb!

11-06-2005, 06:13 PM	#5
lighthousekeeper College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	maybe you're just a good gardner

11-06-2005, 08:34 PM	#6
Riggins44 High School JV Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ontario, CA. USA	We need pics.

11-06-2005, 08:54 PM	#7
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	I can't believe I saw the preview of this thread, and still opened it up...

11-06-2005, 09:02 PM	#8
Glengoyne Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fresno, CA	Ow Not Rubbing Alcohol.....Use Hydrogen Peroxide. It fizzes!

11-07-2005, 09:15 PM	#16
LoneStarGirl College Starter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Little Rock, AR	Maybe you should be more concerned with your spelling Airhog. Just kidding. I am guilty of biting my nails regularly too. And I get the green gunk about twice a year. I just poke it with a toothpick or something sharp to get the green stuff out of it and it feels better. Or i pull the skin on my finger away from the nail and poke it. Its quite fun, but I wouldn't be worried. I haven't seen a doctor about it and mine go away within about 3 days.

11-08-2005, 06:47 AM	#20
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	It actually looks much better now. I think washing dishes helped __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)