Drunken Stumble, Cut Toe Advice?

[AlwaysConfused]

Just got home to find OH hobbling about and blood all over the floor. It seems he has decided to celebrate Christmas early and has managed to badly cut the side of his big toe (although he doesn't know how). The cut is reasonable deep and over an inch in length, about half an inch wide. He is demanding hospitalization and stitches.

It's been bleeding since I got home half an hour ago, and apparently for about half an hour before that. Would it even be possible to stitch the big toe?

[Hopkirk]

I would have thought it would be held closed with butterfly strips.

That's how they closed up surgery on my wrist. It had been left open to drain, then they couldn't get a slot in the theatre to close it up.

Raising the foot above the heart will reduce the bleeding.

[albaqwerty]

yes and get up to A&E soonest. don;t be on here.

[boxtops]

Your local Minor Injuries Unit will be open - unless it's gushing blood, he doesn't need A&E. My neighbour cut her foot recently and there was blood everywhere, they didn't stitch it, they just used butterfly tape. Tell him to keep his foot up.

[Maydup]

Yes best get him up to A&E before it gets any later and before the alcohol wears off.

[Maydup]

Check here for your nearest MIU (as per Boxtops suggestion)

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=AandE

[237SJ]

I`d be inclined to raise the foot (and keep it raised) while you examine the wound to make sure there`s nothing in it. Apply pressure (and keep it applied for a while), get some wound-closure strips and apply those and a dry dressing. If it continues to bleed, then I might think about professional help.

[mrs_overall]

My advice for anyone who stumbles when drunk is to take more water with it

[Maydup]

//get some wound-closure strips //

That's easier said than done in the average household. If you need to go out for them, its just as well to call in to A&E or a walk in centre.

[AlwaysConfused]

cheers everyone. I've been applying pressure and has had his foot raised for twenty minutes or so. I've called a taxi and it's off to A&E he goes (forty minute wait, thanks Christmas shoppers!) I think he fell getting out of the bath, onto one of the many tins of lager I found in there, but he is blaming Jim Beam. He always picks the days, I have a very early start tomorrow - 2am :(

[Sqad]

No big deal.

Do what 237SJ has posted.