I Cut The Tip Of My Middle Finger Off Enough To Get Close To Half Of My Fingernail I Also Have An Ulcer On My Leg The Doctor Put Me On Antibiotics For 3 Weeks Don't Know What To Do?

Posted on Tue, 4 Apr 2023

Question: I cut the tip of my middle finger off enough to get close to half of my fingernail on one side at about 8pm last night. It bled very little, and doesn't hurt. I immediately let running water run over it, moistened a gauze pad with Bactine, and wrapped bandaids around that. It has bled a little more, but not enough to soak through the bandaids. What should I do? I also have an ulcer on my leg the doctor put me on antibiotics for 3 weeks then told me to stop using wet to dry bandages and gave no more antibiotics. That was a week ago. The picture below is what it looks like now. I'd really like to know what you think about it also. I can take a picture of the finger if you need me to, I'm just confused and don't know what to do.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ulcer requires further treatment.give picture of finger injury.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have reviewed your query with ulcer photograph and here is my advise.
* The ulcer over leg has not healed and require further antibiotic with local part care.
More information for finger injury can be given after a photo picture of the finger.
* As per my surgical experience, the presence of yellow area over the ulcer suggests
part of infection, which requires thorough cleaning with antiseptic liquid and
application of antibiotic cream.

* The surrounding redness also favor inflammation underneath, which requires systemic
antibiotic, anti inflammatory drugs to heal it faster ( a follow up after 3 months may
flare up the infection ).

* Control of blood sugar is pivotal to get best recovery.
Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (29 minutes later)

I have been cleaning it twice a day until I can get no more yellow off of it. I just don't know how to get any more out of it than I already do. The doctor told me not to use alcohol or peroxide on it. Any suggestions would be appreciated on how to get it rid of the yellow. Can you suggest an antiseptic, antibiotic and antibiotic salve that will have a better chance of clearing this thing up? .... and can you tell me why its getting shallower but wider? It's three times as wide now as it was and nowhere near as deep.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi

* Cleaning with distilled water till clearance of any yellow stuff and application of to cover it with sterile bandage will help by preventing exposure to atmospheric
particles.

* Systemic antibiotic as cephalosporin or else requires prescription of your doctor.

* Widening of the lesion at 3 weeks period requires cause evaluation as diabetes,
inadequate blood supply to the area or others.

I would like to know, what work up was being done by your doctor if any for the diagnosis.

Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (15 minutes later)

As far as I know there was no diagnosis. He hasn't even called it an ulcer.... but did tell me diabetes caused it ... my sister is a nurse who lives 800 miles away and she's the one who told me it was an venous ulcer and has been scaring me with her opinions .... and as far as I know my sugar has been OK, but my legs stay swelled much of the times, then go down and then back up. I live in the backwoods of Mississippi and there's just not many doctors around here. I'm usually OK, but I've been very tired and sleep a lot lately.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi

* As per my last narration, I had kept possibility of diabetes or blood circulation
disturbances that is venous ulcer.

* As per my surgical experience, the issue requires evaluation with
HB1Ac ( average blood sugar ) as random sample may not show diabetes in many
cases.
Doppler ultrasound of the leg to check the proper blood supply and venous return.

Unless the cause is not diagnosed, how it can be cured completely ? this is not to scare you , but medical fact.

Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (43 minutes later)

OK...Gotcha and thanks for all the advice....Now what should I do about the finger? Have you seen those pictures yet? Our doctor's offices will be closed until Tuesday and I'm not sure I can get in there then. It still doesn't hurt and is bleeding very little if any. I need to know if I need to go to an emergency room or if it will be OK to wait till I can get in to see a Dr.. I will keep it clean and bandaged with whatever you suggest. Right now I have one of the 3 x 4 bandages on it with gauze underneath.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi

There is no attachment showing finger injury.
Please re upload.

Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (1 hour later)

I can't get the pictures to go through and stay there. I submitted the question again and another Dr. got back with me and said as long as it wasn't bleeding and there wasn't any bone showing just to keep in clean and bandaged and look out for redness, soreness, and infection. I thank you for staying with me for so long and I'm sorry about the pics.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the photographs just conveyed.

* There is visible tissue loss involving the tip of finger.

* Though there is no emergency to rush to ER ( as there is no active bleeding ),
following care must be taken

- Keep the part clean with antiseptic liquid.
- Apply polymycin cream and keep it covered.
- Maintain your blood sugar level.
- Need antibiotic to heal it faster.

Wish you best recovery.
Regards.

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad