Cut Advice

[Tester28]

Two days ago, I messed up at the end of my shave by hitting my middle finger on the toe of my straight razor.
Bleeding was quickly controlled. Wound was disinfected and then antibiotic cream was applied. Have been using
a bandage to try and press the cut together so the seam won't show after healing.

I keep the bandage on for about 12 hours and then take it off to air the wound for a few hours. I've also kept the 'finger
100% dry. Please have a look at the damage and let me know if you think this would need stitches...and if so, can I still do
this 48 hours after the cut. FWIW, the cut looks very benign now...not as red, no pain but I am concerned that the cut won't close
up fully, if left to its own devices. I thought Id check here first before going to see a doctor.

 

[Lightcs1776]

Looks like it should heal OK on its own, but I am not a doctor. It wouldn't hurt to have a doctor or nurse take a look, just to be certain.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Atlantic59]

That is a difficult place to have a wound. You can get or make butterfly bandages that are intended to help close the skin together.

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[stone and strop]

No point in stitching that, its already closed.
Keeping it closed will be the big job. A steri-strip or similar I would leave on for a good while till you're sure it won't open again

 

[stone and strop]

That is a difficult place to have a wound. You can get or make butterfly bandages that are intended to help close the skin together.

HealthLink BC - 24/7 Health Advice You Can Trust

Medically-approved information on over 5,000 health topics, symptoms, medical tests, medications, and tips for healthy eating and lifestyle choices.

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Great idea, thanks for the link.

 

[Tester28]

Thank you for all the tips guys, I just made the butterfly bandage and it seems to hold better than the normal tape..I am just relieved that is not the finger I use for Touch ID on my laptop.

 

[shaveSymptomatic]

Too late for stitches

 

[hydro-magic]

You can also use New Skin or some other skin adhesive. It's basically super glue. I've used it for cuts like this before and it works about as well as anything I've tried. If you apply it right it'll stay on for at least several days and holds the edges together at least as well as a butterfly bandage.

 

[Pattorashu]

I was going to suggest superglue. It's really nice for fingers because they see a lot of movement.

Good that a butterfly kept it closed, and for that very reason, I have two fingers programmed into my phone and laptop haha!

 

[Tester28]

I wish I had something like this handy.

ClozeX Bandage Seals Up Wounds Without Stitches for Scar-Free Healing | Digital Trends

Move over, Steri-Strips! ClozeX is a needleless, adhesive-based wound closure device so cool we almost want a horrible arm wound to heal.

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[shaveSymptomatic]

I wish I had something like this handy.

ClozeX Bandage Seals Up Wounds Without Stitches for Scar-Free Healing | Digital Trends

Move over, Steri-Strips! ClozeX is a needleless, adhesive-based wound closure device so cool we almost want a horrible arm wound to heal.

www.digitaltrends.com

If you care about scarring, take a look at silicone strips. Otherwise just keep disinfecting it a few times per day.

 

[dundak]

Always keep the band aid on unless it become wet or the gauze pad become saturated. Change it whenever it does. Wounds actually need moisture to heal and leaving it to air out can dry out the new surface cells forming...YMMV of course

 

[stringer bean]

Always keep the band aid on unless it become wet or the gauze pad become saturated. Change it whenever it does. Wounds actually need moisture to heal and leaving it to air out can dry out the new surface cells forming...YMMV of course

This is true for cuts and burns. A lot of people think they need to "air out" their wounds. This is a bad idea. Wounds should stay moist and covered. Uncovered leads to the wound drying out which promotes scab formation which promotes scar tissue and slows healing. Just wash the wound with soap and water and re-cover with a fresh bandage as necessary. The wounded area is receiving all of the oxygen that it needs from that which is dissolved in your blood. On a related note, don't pop burn blisters. The fluid inside the blister is full of all kinds of stuff to fight infections and begin the healing process. Cushion and cover the blister and keep it in tact the best you can for speedier healing.

To the OP - Your wound looks like it is starting to heal nicely. I don't think stitches are necessary either. The pads of your fingers recover very quickly from injury generally speaking.

 

[MO1]

Tape and a piece of a paper has always been enough for me(put a little more preassure on the sides so the wound closes), even a deep cut on the finger with a straight is a clean cut that heals fairly easaly, or has been atleast in my cases.
I bet that will heal just fine on its own.

 

[FarmerTan]

Looks like there is no inflammation, so little chance of infection. Keep it moist and covered and clean.

Just a real bad place my friend! Ouch.

 

[Tester28]

Thank you for all the sterling advice lads...the cut has healed up rather nicely.

 

[Scarry Knight]

An old bushcraft method....

I use a slippery elm poultice (with a bandage over that) over things like that. Works great and reducing scarring and keeping blood flowing across a wound, allowing better closure.

 

[Doc226]

Usually past 24 hours no stitches as the skin edges start granulating in and it won't heal well. There are medical adhesives that work pretty well, they are basically sterile crazy glue.

All bleeding eventually stops, either by coagulation or lack of pulse pressure.

All wounds heal, either by primary or secondary intention.

With any cuts the key is to hold pressure to stop the bleeding (5 minutes is the minimum), then as long as infection does not set in in the wound will heal.

But it needs to be said

 

[FarmerTan]

Usually past 24 hours no stitches as the skin edges start granulating in and it won't heal well. There are medical adhesives that work pretty well, they are basically sterile crazy glue.

All bleeding eventually stops, either by coagulation or lack of pulse pressure.

All wounds heal, either by primary or secondary intention.

With any cuts the key is to hold pressure to stop the bleeding (5 minutes is the minimum), then as long as infection does not set in in the wound will heal.

But it needs to be said

Yes it did!

 

[steveclarkus]

Two days ago, I messed up at the end of my shave by hitting my middle finger on the toe of my straight razor.
Bleeding was quickly controlled. Wound was disinfected and then antibiotic cream was applied. Have been using
a bandage to try and press the cut together so the seam won't show after healing.

I keep the bandage on for about 12 hours and then take it off to air the wound for a few hours. I've also kept the 'finger
100% dry. Please have a look at the damage and let me know if you think this would need stitches...and if so, can I still do
this 48 hours after the cut. FWIW, the cut looks very benign now...not as red, no pain but I am concerned that the cut won't close
up fully, if left to its own devices. I thought Id check here first before going to see a doctor.


View attachment 1045770

I think I’ve got you beat. A few days ago, I reached in the “razor” drawer and grabbed a fistful of razors. Apparently, one was open a bit and cut through the nail on my little finger and then into the quick. I never cut my face but my fingers have suffered honing mishaps but this one really hurt.