View Full Version : How bad is it not to get stitches?
brassnuts
03-31-2005, 11:57 PM
I just cut my finger. It definitely could use some stitches. It's cut through the fatty layer and it's deep enough that it's staying open and not healing. Can I get away with just going to the store and picking up some butterfly stitches? Duck tape?
No, I don't have insurrance and please don't comment upon this fact.
pshreck
04-01-2005, 12:00 AM
[ QUOTE ]
No, I don't have insurrance and please don't comment upon this fact.
[/ QUOTE ]
You should get insurance.
[ QUOTE ]
I don't have insurrance
[/ QUOTE ]
Good thing you have OOT.
Beerfund
04-01-2005, 12:06 AM
[ QUOTE ]
I just cut my finger. It definitely could use some stitches. It's cut through the fatty layer and it's deep enough that it's staying open and not healing. Can I get away with just going to the store and picking up some butterfly stitches? Duck tape?
No, I don't have insurrance and please don't comment upon this fact.
[/ QUOTE ]
Your finger? Cry me a freaking river. It WILL heal, just leave it alone.
brassnuts
04-01-2005, 12:08 AM
All of you can blow me.
Seriously.
I was just asking a simple question.
Stu Pidasso
04-01-2005, 12:11 AM
[ QUOTE ]
I just cut my finger. It definitely could use some stitches. It's cut through the fatty layer and it's deep enough that it's staying open and not healing. Can I get away with just going to the store and picking up some butterfly stitches? Duck tape?
No, I don't have insurrance and please don't comment upon this fact.
[/ QUOTE ]
Best to see a doc before the gangrene sets in.
Stu
p.s. You really should get some insurance.
Beerfund
04-01-2005, 12:11 AM
[ QUOTE ]
All of you can blow me.
Seriously.
I was just asking a simple question.
[/ QUOTE ]
A stupid rhetorical question. WTF kinda answer did you want? UHHH yea go get stitches.....or uhhhhh no don't get stitches. For fukcs sake it's GD finger. /images/graemlins/mad.gif
pshreck
04-01-2005, 12:16 AM
You apparently have a computer and internet access.
Why do you have this before insurance? Now disconnect or go get some.
Dubra
04-01-2005, 12:17 AM
at least get some vitamin e cream to prevent/limit scarring
LethalRose
04-01-2005, 12:18 AM
If its not healing you need to see a doctor asap, leaving it in this condition can cause a number of blood diseases/infections
If you cant get to the doctor, here are some supplements that will help the healing process.
Bromelain
Vitamin B-complex
Vitamin C
Zinc (oral and topical)
Perhaps there is a free clinic in your area that will give you stitches for a very low fee? it cant cost you more than $75 out of your pocket.
Patrick del Poker Grande
04-01-2005, 12:18 AM
I'm pretty sure if you pack it with sand and then lick it, it'll be all good. I saw this in a movie once. Do it.
Fratony
04-01-2005, 12:18 AM
lets check your choices:
1. dont go get stiches and you might have a scar on your FINGER.
2. go to the doctor and pay for stitches and whatever other crap they give you out of pocket.
I'd go with 1, chicks dig scars /images/graemlins/wink.gif
brassnuts
04-01-2005, 12:18 AM
I'm not try to over dramatize this. I actually laughed when I did it. And, even though it is just a finger, it's been in my experience that cuts don't heal very well because you're constantly bending the skin and re-opening it, even with tiny little cuts. Its been about 3 hours and I could still stick my pinky finger in there and massage my bone if I wanted. It wasn't rhetorical question. I was asking if it would be worth it to have it stitched or not.
Edit: I honestly could care less about scarring.
drdre2001mm
04-01-2005, 12:19 AM
Dude get to the doctor your going to die!
Patrick del Poker Grande
04-01-2005, 12:20 AM
Wait. You've got a hole in your finger big enough for you to stick your pinky in there and touch the bone? Go get some freaking stitches and something to clean the blood off your keyboard.
Stu Pidasso
04-01-2005, 12:28 AM
[ QUOTE ]
I'm not try to over dramatize this. I actually laughed when I did it. And, even though it is just a finger, it's been in my experience that cuts don't heal very well because you're constantly bending the skin and re-opening it, even with tiny little cuts. Its been about 3 hours and I could still stick my pinky finger in there and massage my bone if I wanted. It wasn't rhetorical question. I was asking if it would be worth it to have it stitched or not.
[/ QUOTE ]
What were you doing when you cut your finger anyways?
Stu
brassnuts
04-01-2005, 12:33 AM
[ QUOTE ]
What were you doing when you cut your finger anyways?
[/ QUOTE ]
Pitting an avocado. /images/graemlins/blush.gif
But I did come out with one of my best batches of guacamole.
gamblore99
04-01-2005, 12:50 AM
75 bucks for cutting your finger! I am glad I live in canada.
Stu Pidasso
04-01-2005, 01:03 AM
[ QUOTE ]
75 bucks for cutting your finger! I am glad I live in canada.
[/ QUOTE ]
We're glad you live in Canada too.
Stu
Pinga
04-01-2005, 01:22 AM
I think the antibiotics are more important than the stitches.
I know several people who got serious infections from seemingly lame wounds.
As far as toughing it out and being and man and stuff... my buddy the mechanic would slap some super glue on it and get back to work.
My other friend from the special forces would put a very tight bandage on it so it couldn't bleed and tell you to suck it up and stop crying. At least that's what he did to my finger when it was like yours. j/k. I wasn't crying but I did do fine without the stiches.
This past year I took a hunk off a finger with my bow. There wasn't anything left to stitch. It grew back but it's kind of numb and smooth. I did go on antibiotics, though.
Aukai
04-01-2005, 01:41 AM
Super glue will work well, but the second that bad boy starts getting more red, hot, and painful, cash out some bankroll and go see a doctor for some antibiotics.
siccjay
04-01-2005, 01:44 AM
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
75 bucks for cutting your finger! I am glad I live in canada.
[/ QUOTE ]
We're glad you live in Canada too.
Stu
[/ QUOTE ]
nh
7ontheline
04-01-2005, 01:54 AM
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at least get some vitamin e cream to prevent/limit scarring
[/ QUOTE ]
Vitamin E cream will do nothing.
7ontheline
04-01-2005, 01:58 AM
[ QUOTE ]
If you cant get to the doctor, here are some supplements that will help the healing process.
Bromelain
Vitamin B-complex
Vitamin C
Zinc (oral and topical)
[/ QUOTE ]
These will also not do anything of real value. If you can touch the freaking bone in your finger, you need stitches and antibiotics. Scarring is not a completely cosmetic issue - depending on the location of the wound, you could have contraction and difficulty with full range of mobility of the finger after it heals. Also, it will heal a LOT quicker, since as you said fingers don't heal because you keep re-opening the wound. Antibiotics are a given - fingers touch lots of nasty things. (insert joke here)
LethalRose
04-01-2005, 02:10 AM
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If you cant get to the doctor, here are some supplements that will help the healing process.
Bromelain
Vitamin B-complex
Vitamin C
Zinc (oral and topical)
[/ QUOTE ]
These will also not do anything of real value. If you can touch the freaking bone in your finger, you need stitches and antibiotics. Scarring is not a completely cosmetic issue - depending on the location of the wound, you could have contraction and difficulty with full range of mobility of the finger after it heals. Also, it will heal a LOT quicker, since as you said fingers don't heal because you keep re-opening the wound. Antibiotics are a given - fingers touch lots of nasty things. (insert joke here)
[/ QUOTE ]
yea, at the time i didnt know the cut was that bad.
dont be so mean /images/graemlins/frown.gif
CrazyN8
04-01-2005, 02:11 AM
[ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure if you pack it with sand and then lick it, it'll be all good. I saw this in a movie once. Do it.
[/ QUOTE ]
/images/graemlins/grin.gif
dabluebery
04-01-2005, 02:59 AM
For Christ sake, stop typing responses and bending your hands / opening the wound up?
I have prevented stitches where they would have been administered, in a situation not as severe as yours, by applying serious pressure on the wound for as long as it was necessary to clot, like over an hour. This was a convenience thing, and I had help from my dad, and it was immediate.
You could try the super glue thing, it's basically the same idea. Glue it super tight, then glue a stypic pencil on top of it? God, that's awful.
Rob
wacki
04-01-2005, 03:51 AM
[ QUOTE ]
I just cut my finger. It definitely could use some stitches. It's cut through the fatty layer and it's deep enough that it's staying open and not healing. Can I get away with just going to the store and picking up some butterfly stitches? Duck tape?
No, I don't have insurrance and please don't comment upon this fact.
[/ QUOTE ]
I've went to the gorcery store and bought a needle, nylon string, alcohol, and iodine. Stitching yourself up isn't that bad, you just need some pliers to push the needle through the skin. Make sure to sterilize everything if you do this. It's also good to be current on your tetanus shot if you are going to stitch yourself up. Please keep in mind that most doctors don't like this idea, but I personally don't care.
A splint for a week will help the skin heal as it prevents bleeding. Butterfly patches will work if they can keep the wound closed. If not, you need stitches. Liquid bandaids are something you should check out. You need to close the wound. That is very important. Also, if the knife has any rust on it, you need a tetanus shot if you already haven't had one.
rusty JEDI
04-01-2005, 03:57 AM
If you go in for stitches they're probably also going to want to give you a tetanus shot if you havent had one in 10 years. In Canada all grade 9's get it done, so if its the same there and you're getting mid 20's they're going to want to do this.
Me personally, i'd rather get tetanus then get a needle.
rJ
wacki
04-01-2005, 04:00 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Me personally, i'd rather get tetanus then get a needle.
[/ QUOTE ]
That is almost as dumb as somebody screwing a hooker saying: "I'd rather get HIV then use a condom".
Tetanus is rare, but it has an 11% death rate.
rusty JEDI
04-01-2005, 04:23 AM
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Me personally, i'd rather get tetanus then get a needle.
[/ QUOTE ]
That is almost as dumb as somebody screwing a hooker saying: "I'd rather get HIV then use a condom".
Tetanus is rare, but it has an 11% death rate.
[/ QUOTE ]
I did in fact take the needle when they explained the symptoms of tetanus.
rJ
Stu Pidasso
04-01-2005, 04:26 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Me personally, i'd rather get tetanus then get a needle.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah....well were glad you live in Canada too.
Stu
mikeyvegas
04-01-2005, 04:26 AM
Either cut the finger off or go get some leeches.
pmuir10
04-01-2005, 04:27 AM
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
75 bucks for cutting your finger! I am glad I live in canada.
[/ QUOTE ]
We're glad you live in Canada too.
Stu
[/ QUOTE ]
nh
[/ QUOTE ]
vnh
AlienCorpse
04-01-2005, 04:54 AM
Im surprised no one done the THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS thing, but seriously can you take a picture? I want to see you touching your bone.
brassnuts
04-01-2005, 05:32 AM
I should have taken pictures earlier, but I just rebandaged it about an hour ago and it wasn't opened anymore. It would just look like a slice across the width of my pointer finger, on the inside, very close and parallel to the first crease. A little swelling, but not much redness so far. It's not that bad of a wound. I mean, it's not a HUGE and gaping. I was just saying if I stuck my finger in it, I would have been able to touch bone.
As far as Wacki's suggestion about stitching it myself, I don't think I could really have done it successfully. I don't know proper technique. Plus, there's not a lot of slack in the skin at this spot and it would be hard with one hand.
Right now, I just have a butterfly closure going up and down lengthwise on the finger and a big old bandaid tightly wrapped around it adjacently. As I said, about an hour ago I re-wrapped it for the night at least, after smothering it with some antibiotic ointment. I think the cut might be starting to congeal, but I'm not sure. I didn't want to test it.
Anyways, thanks for all the suggestions. I think I might live this one out.
bernie
04-01-2005, 05:46 AM
Isopropyl alcohol or peroxide to clean it. Alot. Every time you change your own dressing. Could be 4 times a day at first. Yes, it's going to burn like hell. I used peroxide 'til my cut is white. Basically just pour it on.
Wrap tight to close cut and keep closed. The trick is changing that dressing often. On the dressing, put a nonstick band aid, or equivalent directly on it, followed by gauze on that. That way it won't pull apart as much when you change the dressing.
On the job we used to use duct tape and carpet padding 'til we were done.
Good times.
b
Jezebel
04-01-2005, 05:51 AM
....and legend had it that Johnny Moss was a tough poker player for returning to a poker game within hours of a heart attack.
Now we have brassnuts who endured a severe paper cut to his online forefinger that foregoesc any organized medical attention whatsoever and doesn't even get timed out on his big blind.
A hero for the ages.
P.S. --
Is this a link we should forward aspiring pros who think lack of insurance could be a roadblock to playing full time? A little superglue and imgianation is all one needs to avoid those pesky co-pays.
brassnuts
04-01-2005, 05:54 AM
You know, this is probably a good thing. Something as minor as this is perfect for making me realize how important health insurrance could be. I need a job.
jakethebake
04-01-2005, 11:55 AM
slap a butterfly bandage on it. you should be fine.
Jman28
04-01-2005, 12:26 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I want to see you touching your bone.
[/ QUOTE ]
You should either reword or come out to 2+2.
-Jman28
IsaacW
04-01-2005, 12:28 PM
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What were you doing when you cut your finger anyways?
[/ QUOTE ]
Pitting an avocado. /images/graemlins/blush.gif
But I did come out with one of my best batches of guacamole.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, blood is my secret ingredient too...
willie
04-01-2005, 01:00 PM
crazy glue and a band aid
jakethebake
04-01-2005, 01:02 PM
If you do use crazy glue, make sure it's clean first...completely clean. you'll have to scrub it out. i have a friend that thought he'd crazy glue a cut himself and almost lost his hand when it got infected...yes my friend's not very bright.
Sponger15SB
04-01-2005, 01:03 PM
My roomate cut his foot two days ago while skimboarding and didn't get stitches, was your cut like this??
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/Sponger15aa/Bfoot.jpg
The once and future king
04-01-2005, 02:16 PM
Practise your best Britsh accent, (See Mary Poppins). Then fly to Blighty and walk into the nearest A&E ward and as long as you can convince them you are Britsh you will get your finger fixed for FREE.
Unfortuanetly our excellent dental system has been privatised so you will not be able to enjoy the same benefits if you happened to chip a tooth at the same time.
Boris
04-01-2005, 02:18 PM
duct tape sounds like a good idea.
beerbandit
04-01-2005, 02:52 PM
depending on the cut and location
maybe use some of that fake skin or super glue
i wouldnt go to the hospital either, but im a dumbass
beerbandit
04-01-2005, 03:02 PM
it doesnt smell like almonds, does it?
beerbandit
04-01-2005, 03:04 PM
the best part would be when you pull it off, that would help the cut nicely
Freakin
04-01-2005, 04:08 PM
Reasonable response:
This is only relevant if it is a clean cut.
Clean the wound extremely well with antibacterial soap and use an antibacterial ointment.
Close the skin together as much as possible and use superglue to seal it shut. DO NOT DO THIS if you will be applying superglue to exposed flesh. The superglue should eb sealing the seam where the skin meets.
No, I'm not joking.
Freakin
codewarrior
04-01-2005, 04:52 PM
[ QUOTE ]
Im surprised no one done the THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS thing, but seriously can you take a picture? I want to see you touching your bone .
[/ QUOTE ]
Still more gayness in OOT. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
A short story about whether or not to get stitches:
This past summer I was umping a city league slowpitch softball game. A foul ball hit straight back got caught on top of the backstop where the net connects to it (about 15 or so feet?). Between innings, in an attempt to impress the city league softball groupies, I climbed up to the top only using my arms, which showed the groupies how effectively I could handle my bodyweight.
Once I got to the top, I grabbed the fence, and punctured my hand on one of the sharp edges. Because I didn't want to hurt my chances of boning a groupie, I calmly climbed back down. I assessed my hand and noticed blood gushing from the canyon-like wound.
Due to crappy student insurance and laziness, I decided to forego stitches. It healed very poorly and now there's a gross-looking, discolored dime-sized bump. Despite its appearance, it is pretty sweet for when I rub one off. Almost like a tounge ring for my hand.
The moral of the story? Depending on which side of your finger it is on (stroking or non-stroking), I would make my decision on whether or not to get stitches.
Pinga
04-01-2005, 09:16 PM
Hey Brass any update?
Please get on the antobiotics even if you don't think you need to.
I had a coworker with a small cut that got terribly infected and he almost lost his finger.
With a cut as big as yours it hard to tell if it just hurts or if it's infected. Just do it man!
Best,
Pinga
brassnuts
04-01-2005, 09:37 PM
[ QUOTE ]
Hey Brass any update?
Please get on the antobiotics even if you don't think you need to.
I had a coworker with a small cut that got terribly infected and he almost lost his finger.
With a cut as big as yours it hard to tell if it just hurts or if it's infected. Just do it man!
[/ QUOTE ]
I've been changing the dressing every 4 hours or so, dousing it with some hydrogen peroxide, and also smearing an antibiotic ointment onto the wound before redressing it. It seems to have formed a delicate seal, and I'm just taking it easy. Once, I forgot about it and stretched my hand out reaching for something. This sent a shooting pain down through my hand, but last time I dressed it, it still looked ok. The skin is still just a little swollen (not too bad) and there is about a 1/8 inch border of discolored white skin around the wound as well (better than red and inflamed, right?). As far as pain, it's perfectly fine. I think I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. It actually did not hurt at all when it first happened. There was a little discomfort in the form of a dull pain last night as I was trying to get to sleep, but it hasn't been that bad at all. Thanks for your concern.
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