Cut finger

[coccinelle]

I cut the top of my finger quite deeply but not enough to go to A&E or to see a doctor. Plasters just seem to keep the wound soft and open but I need a plaster to protect my finger. What's the best way of dealing with this?

[paulthewall]

Steri strips will keep it closed, and if you leave it open at night, it will dry up some. Suggest you don't do any washing up until it has healed (sorry Mrs Coccinelle), and keep it dry generally. Protect during the day from any kind of knock.

[rowanwitch]

Wound healing needs a warm moist environment..use a plaster but close the edges first.. if you haven't got steristrips a couple of thin strips cut from the gluey bit of annothe plaster will do the job

[jomifl]

Surgical spirit (alcohol) is very good for sterilising wounds before closing them (it hurts like hell before it anaesthetises the nerves), If you don't close the wound it will take ages to heal and will leave a scar.

[rowanwitch]

surgical spirit also damages the very cells you need to didvide and close the wound clean with saline solution on teaspoon of salt in half a pint of boiled water.. and don't use cotton wool or anything with fibres either.

[coccinelle]

Thank you everybody. There will be a scar as my finger was bent when I cut it so will heal 'split' if you know what I mean. I left it open overnight and have protected it with a waterproof plaster today after the cut opened again. Rowanwitch I didn't feel much like using that saline solution, the pain was enough when I had a packet of crisps yesterday and the salt got under the plaster!