This is probably really stupid to say, but I stabbed myself in the hand today. Of course, it was an accident. I can not afford to go and get one or two stitches for 100 bucks copayment and it stopped bleeding right away. I can move all my fingers. It hurts like a *&(&(&*! I stabbed myself in the fatty muscle area right below my thumb and towards the palm. I know it's just muscle pain. It's getting worse as the day goes by. Is there anything I can do or do I just need to tuff it out? Maybe I need to change my stance on drinking! LOL
Thanks everyone. I was sitting here trying to remember my last tetanus. Then I remembered that I was attacked by a dog in 2005 and they gave me a tetanus then. I know that's 7 years ago, but not 10. I ran it under water while keeping it open and let it bleed a lot. I just changed the bandaid and it's looking good. The last time I looked at it, it was open. But now it's staying closed. I'm sure it's not as bad as I originally thought. I can feel everything and my fingers and hand work. I've had to use it all afternoon with these kids. Ouch :)
Talk to the hospital about a payment plan. It'll be way cheaper for you to take care of this today then to wait for infection to set it.
Bold:
Go to the Urgent Care - have them bill you for the co-pay - they can't turn you away!!
If you don't get it taken care of - bad things can happen...infection...loss of use...it might not look like much but really please get it checked out.
You should get that checked out, especially if you aren't certain you aren't up on your tetanus vaccination. I would at least get looked at. Minor injuries to the hands can be bigger than you realize.
I think you will be just fine. I think about all the areas of the world that have no medical care and they all get through and heal. You will do. Lots of antibotic cream and maybe ice and hmmmmm I don't know.... I am not a nurse, I think that is what I would do. Sorry your in pain.
Okay do what Cheryl said :0)
What you will need to be aware of is if the wound will stay closed to heal and keeping it clean. Watch for infection. Hopefully others will have other points to look out for. Yes, it will hurt for a day or two and it does get worse before getting better.
I cut myself here in what sounds like a similar place on my hand probably a longer cut and I ended up at the ER for stitches because there was no way to keep the skin closed to heal. Got the bill and a notice to come in to get the stitches out (4-5). I decided to heck with that, I sew a lot and know how to use a seam ripper.....It is expensive, we don't have copay, High deductable and an HSA account so I know your frustration.
A girl at work stabbed herself really badly when the plastic handle of the knife she was using broke and she basically jammed her hand into the sharp side of the knife part. She required stitches since the wound would not stop bleeding. Lots of bleeding is actually good since it will clean out the wound from the inside out. She came to work with her arm looking like a huge Q-tip. She had to keep the hand up as well, to keep the blood from pooling in her hand.
I would call the nurse at my doctor's office tomorrow and explain how it feels after a night of home care, and ask what they suggest. The rinsing with saline advice and then adding neosporin and bandaging sounds like a good place to start.
No advice, just hope it heals! Sorry you're in pain!
If you have decided not to go to the doctor...go to the pharmacy and buy some of that orange liquid that they always soak you in at the ER before they stitch you up. But $100 is a small amount to pay compared to complications you may encounter.
HEY! At least you have a plan with co payment:) We have zero health insurance.
What I would do? Tough it out.
Do I always put myself last and at times have paid the price for not taking better care of myself? YES.
So, is my advice good advice? Not really.
I would go to the urgent care or ER and ask them to make payments. The fact that it only bled a little would be a concern for tetanus (you have three weeks to get a tetanus shot and be OK). Unless you have had one in the past 7 years. You should still have it checked out.
Go to an Urgent Care or emergency room.
A deep puncture wound can be prone to infection.
If you wait too long they might not be able to stitch it for you, but they can give you an antibiotic so it won't fester.
You do NOT want it to get infected and it's a good idea to get a tetanus booster shot.
I sliced about an inch down on sheet metal fixing my dishwasher. Never forget the words my son spoke when he got home. "Mom are you stupid, if you had called 911 the paramedics would have given you the stitches"
Oops
My neighbor fell a couple weeks ago and split his head open. Wife (who works in med field) texted a pic to a dr friend and he said since it was superficial to just clean it out really well and superglue it. Yep, regular old superglue from in the junk drawer. Worked like a charm!
They have liquid bandage at the pharmacy in the bandaid area - that can help when you cant stitch or put a good bandaid on something because of the location. Also, try some advil and ice (20 minutes on 20 minutes off). If it starts to get red all the way around, or it gets puss then it is getting infected - go see the doc.
Good luck!
