Cut thumb 2

[Scarlett]

Yesterday I cut my thumb badly whilst cutting lettuce.It is a diagonal cut with a big flappy bit of skin- but not that you could remove as the cut goes deep. (Sorry this is gross).

I need to know what to do now. I put plasters on it and I don't for one minute think that the flap will heal. Should I just keep plasters on it for as long as possible to give it a chance, or should I expose it to air? Sorry- never done this before!

[ursula62]

You could try using steri-strips - they are used in hospitals these days for cuts that may not need sutures. You can get these in Boots or other chemists.

[joko]

the skin will probably heal - you'd be surprised. keep the plasters on for as long as possible

[lilyfrog]

as long as it has stopped bleeding then I would remove the plaster but keep really clean using lots of soap and maybe some anticeptic cream like TCP. Your skin woill heal under the flap and the bit of skin will die and fall off.

Or amputation, it is the safest bet as Pies said

[MangoPete]

Welcome to the stumpy club, Scarlett!
It depends how long ago you did it.
I had to snap the end off my sabatier cooks knife as I kept slicing into the end of my little finger.
I do a lot of carving and gouging ( yes I live near Newport in Wales) err of the wood and pumpkin kind .
The best thing to do is hold it together then get someone to apply superglue. They use a blue superglue in hospitals and also in the forces.
This will create a complete seal from the elements and can even survive washing up for a day. I replace mine ever couple of days.
Doing this holds the cut together at the surface giving the flesh ime to heal underneath.
Problem with plasters is if they get wet you can get infection in the cut. You could also put lavender oil onto the cut of the padded bit of the plaster and then put another plaster over the top.
Lavender speeds up the healing process remarkably.
Also excellent for burns.
As you did this yesterday the flaps fate will be decided and it or some of it may well die back.
if the wound is closed and does not open up I would put lavender on it and seal it up . If you bang it and it opens up again hold it together and put or get someone to put superglue on it.
well guess no washing up for you for a few days....

[country_boy]

I had a similar cut a few weeks ago, I used surgical tape and the flap pretty much stuck back apart from a few frayed edges which I nicked off as it was healing.

[nfn]

nu-skin works. it stings like blimey when you put it on but it heals!

[helster]

hi scarlett

what you need to do is clean it as best you can and then take the plaster off. it needs air to heal the problem with plasters is that they actually stop cuts form healing by keeping moisture in.

leave it `out' over night, i' bet you'll be surprised at how much better it looks.

Hx