Swollen, painful thumb; what to do?

Question

About a week ago, I bit off a hangnail and now I think my thumb has gotten infected. It's swollen and too painful to move. I've been putting hydrocortisone cream on it and now I can see pus forming in a lump on the right side. What to do?

Answer 1

You can try hydrogen peroxide soaks, letting it 'bubble' a few times. Rinse well. Stop the hydrocortisone cream & try Neosporin or other antibacterial cream. If not better in 7 days, or redness/swelling/pain/heat spreads, see a Nurse Practitioner or a doctor. DON'T use an Emergency Room. Good luck! :)

Answer 2

its time to see the old doctor and get antibiotic shot ,  next time don't wait or you can lose your thumb. when you get hurt use a triple antibiotic  cream