This hurt should I go to the Drs?

[doddze]

I managed to hit my thumb on Saturday with a large hammer and yes it hurt.. I am wondering if I should go to the see the nurse at the doctors just to get it checked out. I can move it but it is painful if I knock it or catch it on anything.. It is actually now quite numb with almost a pins and needles feel where it has swollen. Dont't like to mkae a fuss and waste peoples time but just wondered if any doctors were about to comment? Been taking ibruprofen since I did it. Thanks

Edited by doddze on Wednesday 7th July 13:07

[R1chardP]

Loving the irony of hosting that on "thumbsnap"

I've done the same thing before, ttting yourself with a hammer seems to be fairly common. I just put ice on mine and had some ibuprofen and it was ok after a while.

Having re-read that, the fact that it is numb with pins and needles might indicate that you have damaged something important in there - a quick trip to A&E is probably better than the GP because they will want to x-ray it I imagine.

Edited by R1chardP on Wednesday 7th July 13:24

Edited by R1chardP on Wednesday 7th July 13:25

[Phooey]

Done a similar thing a few years ago. You probably need it 'popping' i.e. - a hole burnt through the nail to relieve the pressure of blood building up in the end of your thumb. Sounds gruesome, but the relief is amazing

[oilydan]

I did that with a big concrete block on my finger.

Submerge in ice water until it is completely numb, then slide a pin under the nail from the front. Make sure you point it at the sink when removing the pin or blood will squirt all over the bathroom.....

[chris1roll]

Phooey said:

Done a similar thing a few years ago. You probably need it 'popping' i.e. - a hole burnt through the nail to relieve the pressure of blood building up in the end of your thumb. Sounds gruesome, but the relief is amazing

You can even do that yourself with a paperclip and a gas lighter.

[v64paul]

Oh yes, i can relate to the relief thing, Of course some say you can lessen the damage by squeezing the area as hard as you can. As i again can testify, this is a very easy thing to say, much harder to do. Whatever method you use IF you decide to pop it, make sure the object you use is sterile.

[broadhat]

Hot paperclip will burn through the nail and release the pressure nicely.

Had to do in on our 2 year old son a couple of years ago when he went rummaging through a carrier bag for chocolate and dropped a bottle of wine on his big toe. He's proof the 'procedure' is painless as well! (He wasn't told the paperclip was hot so wasn't concerned at all)