Smashed thumbnail, advice plz
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snitches get stitches
Joined: May 2002
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From: Portland, OR
Smashed thumbnail, advice plz
So I smashed my thumb yesterday, and now there is a big redish/purplish semi-circle underneith the nail. I don't know whether I should heat up a pin and put a hole in my nail to relieve the pressure. When is this necessary? The nail doesn't really hurt too much, but if I put any sort of pressure on it, it hurts quite a bit.
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From: Central Ohio
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Only pin it if the pain and pressure becomes excessive or unbearable!
1. Heat the end of a bent paper clip (or a similar size metal wire) over an open flame until it is red hot. Use a pair of pliers to hold the paper clip during sterilization.
2. While it is still very hot, touch the tip of it to the injured fingernail. This is not a painful procedure for most people.
3. The heat of the clip will burn a small hole in the fingernail. It is not necessary to press hard on the fingernail to burn a hole. (Another technique is to drill a small hole in the nail by twirling a scalpel blade, sharp knife, or needle.)
4. As the paper clip is removed, blood should start releasing through the small hole. If not, retry the procedure until blood comes out and pressure is relieved.
5. The pain will be relieved as the pressure is released. Soak the injured finger in warm water with a few drops of disinfectant for 20 minutes 4 times a day for 2 days.
6. This procedure can be repeated, if necessary, if the hole closes over and the pressure rebuilds.
7. The finger should be washed carefully before and after the procedure. Antibiotics may be administered if the procedure was not performed under sterile conditions.
1. Heat the end of a bent paper clip (or a similar size metal wire) over an open flame until it is red hot. Use a pair of pliers to hold the paper clip during sterilization.
2. While it is still very hot, touch the tip of it to the injured fingernail. This is not a painful procedure for most people.
3. The heat of the clip will burn a small hole in the fingernail. It is not necessary to press hard on the fingernail to burn a hole. (Another technique is to drill a small hole in the nail by twirling a scalpel blade, sharp knife, or needle.)
4. As the paper clip is removed, blood should start releasing through the small hole. If not, retry the procedure until blood comes out and pressure is relieved.
5. The pain will be relieved as the pressure is released. Soak the injured finger in warm water with a few drops of disinfectant for 20 minutes 4 times a day for 2 days.
6. This procedure can be repeated, if necessary, if the hole closes over and the pressure rebuilds.
7. The finger should be washed carefully before and after the procedure. Antibiotics may be administered if the procedure was not performed under sterile conditions.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,675
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From: Central Ohio
Only pin it if the pain and pressure becomes excessive or unbearable!
1. Heat the end of a bent paper clip (or a similar size metal wire) over an open flame until it is red hot. Use a pair of pliers to hold the paper clip during sterilization.
2. While it is still very hot, touch the tip of it to the injured fingernail. This is not a painful procedure for most people.
3. The heat of the clip will burn a small hole in the fingernail. It is not necessary to press hard on the fingernail to burn a hole. (Another technique is to drill a small hole in the nail by twirling a scalpel blade, sharp knife, or needle.)
4. As the paper clip is removed, blood should start releasing through the small hole. If not, retry the procedure until blood comes out and pressure is relieved.
5. The pain will be relieved as the pressure is released. Soak the injured finger in warm water with a few drops of disinfectant for 20 minutes 4 times a day for 2 days.
6. This procedure can be repeated, if necessary, if the hole closes over and the pressure rebuilds.
7. The finger should be washed carefully before and after the procedure. Antibiotics may be administered if the procedure was not performed under sterile conditions.
1. Heat the end of a bent paper clip (or a similar size metal wire) over an open flame until it is red hot. Use a pair of pliers to hold the paper clip during sterilization.
2. While it is still very hot, touch the tip of it to the injured fingernail. This is not a painful procedure for most people.
3. The heat of the clip will burn a small hole in the fingernail. It is not necessary to press hard on the fingernail to burn a hole. (Another technique is to drill a small hole in the nail by twirling a scalpel blade, sharp knife, or needle.)
4. As the paper clip is removed, blood should start releasing through the small hole. If not, retry the procedure until blood comes out and pressure is relieved.
5. The pain will be relieved as the pressure is released. Soak the injured finger in warm water with a few drops of disinfectant for 20 minutes 4 times a day for 2 days.
6. This procedure can be repeated, if necessary, if the hole closes over and the pressure rebuilds.
7. The finger should be washed carefully before and after the procedure. Antibiotics may be administered if the procedure was not performed under sterile conditions.
I had no idea there was such an intricate process for this. It still sounds painful to me :nervous: I'm glad I don't have to do it.
Thread Starter
snitches get stitches
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 49,696
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From: Portland, OR
From what I've heard, it really doesn't hurt. The nail itself doesn't have any nerve endings, and the blood that is released is a buffer between the nail bed and the nail itself. you go slowly and as soon as blood starts coming out you release, resulting in no pain. I know how it's done, I just wasn't sure how bad the injury had to be before attempting it.