Hello, I Have A Small Cut On My Finger That

Posted on Wed, 6 Nov 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 6 Nov 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I have a small cut on my finger that stopped to bleed couple of hours ago but I still have "burning" feeling in a contact with ethanol alcohol. Is the wound in this state considered as an open wound and is it potential entry point for viruses and bacteria THAT REQUIRE BLOOD CONTACT to be transmitted? So to summarize again - the cut is small, there is no active bleeding for a couple of hours but the "burning" feeling is still present in contact with ethanol.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Cut is considered an open wound and potential entry site for infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to ask a doctor service
I have gone through your query.
Yes the cut is considered an open wound and that’s why the burning sensation on contact with ethanol.
It is a potential site for entry of bacteria and viruses till the time its open. In a day or two it will close and the burning with ethanol will also cease.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (59 minutes later)

Dear Doctor, thanks to your answer. Just to clarify once more, even blood-borne viruses can be transmitted through small coagulated cut like this one that I described? No active bleeding is required for blood-born viruses to transmit?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Usually not transmitted through coagulated wound

Detailed Answer:
Blood borne viruses are not usually transmitted by a coagulated wound.
It is rare for them to be transmitted if there is no active bleeding.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (2 hours later)

Thank you very much, I was specifically worried about that kind of viruses. So in the end you think that there is no need to worry about potential blood-borne virus infection since potential exposure happened about 3 hours after active bleeding has stopped (and it stopped very quickly since the cut was small).

Burning sensation from ethanol after potential exposure doesn't mean that it was suitable place for blood-borne virus to enter a bloodstream?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Yes there is no need to worry.
Burning sensation after ethanol application is normal on a cut

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj