DC got deep papercut on finger that seems to be healing. Bandage doesn’t seem to be necessary anymore, but it smelled when we removed it for the last time and I noticed a small bit of what looks like crusted over pus at one end of the cut. No fever and otherwise normal, though the finger is still in a bit of pain. How worrisome is this? I cleaned it with antibacterial solution and will call ped in the am, but likely won’t hear back until late morning, so if anyone has thoughts, would love to hear. Thanks much.
I don’t think it’s much to worry about. Soak it in hot salt water solution for a while and hopefully that will break the pus, then reapply the antibacterial soltion
^ solution
ED mom. What looks like pus may just be normal granulation tissue, part of healing. So hard to say without seeing! You did right to call your doctor to have it looked at. If the finger were truly infected, I might expect to see significant swelling, tenderness, and redness of that finger, starting at the area of the cut and then extending inward toward the hand.
Thanks so much to you both. And thanks for the tips for what to look for. There doesn’t seem to be any of what you mentioned. The smell is what made me think it was pus. That usually doesn’t happen when I remove bandages. But it’s just a small spot. Maybe the size of the head of a pin. Will do soaking as OR mentioned and continue with the antibacterial solution.
UB 2.0 to the rescue!! Thank you so much. We did the hot water / salt solution and there were no more signs of redness or pus. DC was also in no pain. Didn't even need to call ped after that -- it's just a small spot of red at this point. Yay! A Christmas Miracle :) Thank you!!
Happy to hear it worked!