Seeking Advice on a Thumb Injury
A 28-year-old female preschool educator seeks guidance regarding a thumb injury. Approximately one week ago, while preparing fruit, she sustained a cut on her thumb. Despite applying a bandage, the wound continued to bleed for a full day after the incident. Now, nearly a week later, she has been keeping the thumb covered; however, she has started to notice a peculiar numbing sensation on the opposite side of the finger, accompanied by occasional tingling when she touches objects with her thumb. She expresses concern due to the easily contaminated water supply at her workplace, which is sourced from a well. This has led her to wash her hands frequently. The cut, situated on the left side of her thumbnail, is small but notably deep. A colleague has recommended a product known as 'second skin' as a potential treatment. She is debating whether to try this remedy or seek medical attention at the hospital today. Additionally, she mentions that she does not consume alcohol but occasionally uses cannabis.
Answers (1)
7/1/2025, 1:10:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with an injury that carries some concerns due to the ongoing symptoms you're experiencing, particularly the numbness and tingling in your thumb. Let's address your situation step-by-step.
Key Points:
- Ongoing Symptoms: A persistent numbness and tingling sensation after a cut can indicate nerve involvement or insufficient healing.
- Infection Risk: Given your workplace conditions and the history of bleeding, it’s essential to assess for signs of infection.
- Next Steps: You need to prioritize symptom monitoring and consider treatment options effectively.
Explanation:
Your thumb injury may not have healed completely or could be impacting nerves that run near the area of the cut. The numbing and tingling sensations can suggest nerve irritation, which could stem from swelling or scar tissue forming in the area. The fact that it bled for a day initially also raises the potential for deeper injury.
Infectious concerns are valid since you're washing your hands frequently in less-than-ideal water. Keeping the cut clean is crucial, but improper washing could introduce contaminants.
Actionable Steps:
-
Observe the Injury:
- Check for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge from the wound.
- Monitor the sensation. If the numbness worsens or spreads, this is a sign to seek care more urgently.
-
Continue Proper Care:
- Keep the wound clean and dry. Change the bandage daily, or more frequently if it becomes wet or dirty.
- Consider using 'second skin' only if the wound is sealed and you don’t see any signs of infection. It helps protect the area while moisture promotes healing.
-
Limit Movement:
- Minimize use of that thumb as much as possible to reduce irritation and allow healing.
-
Seek Medical Attention:
- Given the duration of your symptoms and because you've noticed tingling and numbness, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider. They can evaluate the injury more thoroughly to check for nerve involvement or possible infection.
Conclusion:
Pay close attention to how your thumb feels in the coming days, and don’t hesitate to seek medical help if your symptoms worsen or if you're unsure. Your health and safety are the priority, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Related Questions
Experiencing Full-Body Numbness
At just 14 years old and standing at 173 cm tall with a weight of 89 kg, I find myself without any ongoing health problems or medication. Despite this, I frequently encounter a disconcerting numbness throughout my body. This sensation, notably felt in areas such as my scalp and legs, leaves me feeling detached, as if the typical pleasant tingling or sensory feedback I usually experience is absent. It’s as though my body is not responding as it should, leading to a perplexing and unsettling feeling.
Worries About Laboratory Results
Hello all. I'm a 32-year-old male weighing approximately 210 pounds and standing at 5 feet 11 inches with a muscular physique. Lately, I've been experiencing severe constipation. On the same day I performed a colon cleanse, I also underwent some blood tests. The results were mostly normal, but my AST level was reported at 38, and my Ferritin level was at 391. In addition to the constipation issues, I’ve been dealing with migraines, nausea, and a lightheaded sensation. Does anyone have insights on what might be causing this or what I should do next?
Inquiry About Childhood Chiropractic Experience
Hello Reddit! I’m reaching out to share something that occurred during my early teenage years, specifically when I was approximately 12 to 14 years old. I’m currently 25. (Female) To give you a brief overview, there was an incident when I was leaning down at my locker, and all of a sudden, my neck locked to one side. I was completely unable to move it back into its normal position, which caused me significant discomfort. My father decided it would be best to take me to a chiropractor, and while that did help somewhat, the pain was still quite severe. Additionally, I noticed a peculiar smell lingering for about a week post-visit. This episode repeated itself a few months later, with the same painful experience and that odd smell following the chiropractic adjustment. Since those occurrences, I've only encountered similar issues twice. On those occasions, instead of seeing a chiropractor, I opted for hospital treatment, where I received muscle relaxants that didn’t leave me with the strange odor or intense pain. However, I’ve been dealing with ongoing soreness in my right shoulder, and it seems to easily get strained. My head also tends to lean to one side quite noticeably. I’m curious to know what might have caused the neck stiffening, the severe pain, and that unusual smell following my chiropractic visits as a child. Could choosing chiropractic care over medical attention have led to any long-term repercussions?
Are Comprehensive Physical Examinations on the Decline?
Recently, I visited my primary care physician for my annual check-up. Upon arrival, the doctor briefly inquired about my health and conducted a quick assessment by listening to my heart and breathing. To my surprise, he concluded with a simple, "Everything looks good, see you next year!" What happened to the thorough physical examinations that once included a complete assessment, like the traditional checks of reflexes and other vital signs? This experience left me questioning the purpose of my primary care doctor. At 37 years of age, standing at 6 feet tall and residing in the United States, I find myself wondering if such brief consultations are becoming the norm. Why do we even maintain relationships with primary care physicians if such abbreviated visits are standard?
Should I Get a Second Opinion About This Lump?
**Breast Ultrasound Report:** **Findings for the Right Breast:** The breast consists of typical fibro-fatty glandular tissue. A distinct hypoechoic mass has been identified at the 7 o’clock position, measuring 1.6 cm by 0.5 cm. This lesion does not show any signs of disrupting nearby structures or causing ductal dilation. Additionally, a color Doppler assessment reveals no notable blood flow within this area. There are no indications of calcifications or distortions within the architecture of the breast. The skin appears normal without signs of thickening or nipple inversion, and there is no duct dilation present. Several lymph nodes within the axillary region appear normal, with the largest measuring 1.7 cm by 0.6 cm. **Findings for the Left Breast:** The glandular tissue in the left breast is also normal. There are no abnormal masses, calcifications, or architectural irregularities detected. Similar to the right breast, there is no skin thickening or inversion of the nipple, nor any duct dilation. A few axillary lymph nodes are evident, with one measuring 1.6 cm by 0.5 cm, all appearing benign. **Conclusion:** The findings in the right breast point towards benign characteristics, likely indicating a fibroadenoma (BIRADS-II classification). The left breast shows a normal scan, while benign-appearing lymph nodes are noted bilaterally in the axillary regions. It is recommended to correlate clinically and consider follow-up sonography for more comprehensive evaluation.