FAO Sqad or any AB nurse like Mamya.

[DTCwordfan]

My mother was it n the garden and some while back got a thorn in her thumb.

I must saying it is looking quite nasty, her thumb having swollen up to about half again of her other thumb, yellow on top and a purple head to it, approximately 1/2 cm wide.

I have been on at her to get to the docs for a nurse to properly treat but we are dealing with someone with dementia whose memory span is zilch. She is going tomorrow....and I will take her if necessary. Is there any short term treatment I could get her to do - she has cleaned it, bathed it in some alcohol.....(and that is now stinging like hell and she is moaning about feeling it down on her meat carpels which I suspect is pressure onthe nerve palying up). Should she also cover it with bandaids to soften it up perhaps......

Grateful for any advice......DTC

[Sqad]

<<<<<<some while back got a thorn in her thumb>>>>
How long back?

<<<< She is going tomorrow>>>
Going where?

[anneasquith]

meat carpels ?

[RATTER15]

I think that was supposed to be metacarpals Ann, and I think you knew that :-)

[DTCwordfan]

to the Doctors - oh I could inflict some real pain but, seriously, it looks quiet nasty and I don't want to do anything or have her do anmything that would exacerbate it or be the wrong procedure.

[Purple_Popple]

Definitely sounds infected, try soaking hand/thumb in as hot water as she is able to stand with plenty of salt dissolved in it....this should help sanitise the wound and help any nastiness escape....salt water is also soothing. She may need a tetanus too. Is there not a 'walk in medical centre' you could take her to now ? Hope it sorts itself out soon ! Sounds awful....

[anneasquith]

sqad may well disagree. and im not a doctor............ but infection ,id suggest treatment today,

[Sqad]

Leave well alone....don't cover it.....give her pain killers e.g Ibuprofen 600mgms and it sounds like it may well need draining tomorrow as it sounds like an abscess.

Good luck.

[slinky.kate]

sqad you swear by these ibuprofen,why not paracetamol ?????

[DTCwordfan]

Many thanks for the advice all of you....I have had her clean it and it has now settled down. Unfortunately down here in deepest Cornwall we don't have a walk-in other than A&E and she doesn't want to get dressed up as she is in her gardening togs.

I'll get her to keep it uncovered and I have some Ibuprofen with me.

[shaneystar2]

If she was my Mother I'd be taking her to the doctors asap instead of waffling on here .
She could develop an infection which could turn nasty ,Cellulitis being one of them .

[DTCwordfan]

from what I understand IBP is less harsh on the stomach than acetylsalicylic acid that makes up aspirin and its derivatives

[Sqad]

slinky....the anti inflammatory properties of Ibuprofen far out weighs those of paracetamol which is basically a pain killer.

For sprains,acute muscular problems et, the Ibuprofen is the drug of choice, but for pain due to inflammation (as in this case) then ibuprofen is the answer.

[DTCwordfan]

She has no symptoms of fatigue, muscle ache, chills, sweating, fever etc that would indicate poisoning like cellulitis, shaneystar.

[slinky.kate]

sqad 'thanks for explaining.

[anneasquith]

well i agree with shaney on this,

[Sqad]

Anne....you agree with ANYBODY who disagrees with me.

[anneasquith]

thats not true sqad. i gave my opinion before shaney posted.

[shaneystar2]

I didn't have any symptoms of fatigue, muscle ache, chills, sweating, fever either DT and spent a year with an ulcerated leg due to cellulitis from an infected bite ..It progressed rapidly up my leg within hours .

[DTCwordfan]

Thanks, Shaney - I am here tonight so will keep a close eye on the mater and any signs it will be into A&E. It is shame that we don't have a walk-in as that route I would use but the Royal MidCornwall A&E is pretty grim.

[shaneystar2]

Yes ..look after your old Mum . We only have one .Things like this can progress rapidly if not looked at ..Blood poisoning etc . Any little bit of dirt in a wound can cause untold hassle .Better safe than sorry .