Out Of Commission........................

Got a recent Tetanus shot?

Wow! I'm with Edward! My first thought was Tetanus shot! You should go see a doctor for sure! Hope you feel better soon!

Ed, last time was 5 years ago, when I cut three fingers changing on a taylor rental floor scraper with a stripped blade screw, very sharp blade, bone is what stopped me from losing three fingers. I know it's to long, I am certainly monitoring myself for the ever slight signs of it, and then it's a bee line to the er. I don't know if I punctured it with a screw which were new or with an older drill bit that was a little rusty. Thing is three weeks ago I stepped on a nail went clear thru bottom of my work shoes and broke the skin and it was rusty, so I'm thinking I'm still immune.

you probably hit a nerve somewhere down the line, and it might have been pinched up until you saw it. that would explain the radiating pain. i hit my hand with a hammer so hard that i thought i hit my arm. i was treating the wrong spot all that time.

do not use hot anything.

use cold

see a doctor, it could be a fracture in there that you can't see. a bit odd that you didn't feel the bit in your finger, there is usually a delay, but not that long. the hole might be something you did at home, and you could have strained something. i would get a tetanus, see a doctor right now. just in case its something else.

when i mashed my hand (which i'm certain i fractured something but never had it checked out), i used ice for the most part. 20min on 20min off. (you don't want to frostbite the area). heat will make it worse. but i'm not a doctor, you should see one. then go over exactly what you did that could do that without pain...

when ever i drilled in to my hand, i felt it. awl up my thumb - felt that. screw gun tip on the side of my thumb - felt that, heard it too... bleah. .. yankee drill slipped out and hit my knuckle... i still have the mark for that one.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

check yourself for a fever as well. i wonder what the effects of tetanus is, and if that's why you didn't see the hole in your hand?

Definition
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Tetanus is a serious bacterial disease that affects your nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions, particularly of your jaw and neck muscles. Tetanus can interfere with your ability to breathe and, ultimately, threaten your life. Tetanus is commonly known as "lockjaw."

Thanks to the tetanus vaccine, cases of tetanus are rare in the United States and the developed world. The incidence of tetanus is much higher in less developed countries. Around a million cases occur worldwide each year.

There's no cure for tetanus. Treatment focuses on managing complications until the effects of the tetanus toxin resolve. Fatality is highest in individuals who haven't been immunized and in older adults with inadequate immunization.


i wonder if there is a delay and if i can numb nerves


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Thanks Diane, my first wife was a nurse and I do know about tetanus. But it's a guy thing, I had a corneal abrasion once, from frying chicken wings, and it splattered hot oil in my eye. The most painful injury I can remember, the cornea is the last place you ever want to injure, it will bring a grown man to tears. I did end up going to the er in the middle of the night as the pain became unbareable, they gave me these magical drops, which I think was the equivalent to liquid cocaine or something, worst pain ever disappeared instantly, they let me take the drops home, but you had to be very careful because it totally numbed the eyes and you could injure them. That's what I need now for my hand.

go.get.a.shot.

It's not worth the risk.

"After the initial tetanus series, booster shots are recommended every 10 years. If you experience a puncture wound and it's been more than five years since your last tetanus shot — or you can't remember when you had your last tetanus shot — it's best to get the booster shot."

I have had three operations on my hands and am about to have another one. Do not neglect your hands!!! See a doctor ASAP, Mario....no home remedies, no tricks. You need good care or things could get very ugly overnight. If you have any jewelry (rings) on that hand, take them off now because if you don't have it looked at and you get blood poisoning or something, your hand will swell up like a baseball glove and they'll have to saw off any rings you have on. Never try to doctor your eyes or your hands yourself....that's my golden rule.

Mike, it's the oddest injury I have ever had, I cleaned the wound again and this time I grabbed a large high power magnifying glass and took a look inside. It must have been the drill bit by the size of the whole, what I noticed where like very thin white strings frayed along the edge of the hole, I'm thinking that it's nerve. I am finally feeling much better pain wise after 8 hours of really intense pain, I think I'm over the worst part, I can't use my hand except for typing, that's an improvement already, I could not even touch it with a band aide before it hurt so much. That tiger balm ointment if you have ever tried is good stuff. I'm pretty sure I'm covered with the tetanus shots, I've had many over the years.

Yes...Mario...men sure are a stubborn breed. My husband fell a week ago and severely bruised his ribs. He wouldn't go to the ER...but he did let me take him to Urgent Care the next day. But, he is still doing his projects...heavy lifting, etc. Then comes home and lays on the ice pack for a few hours.

Get better soon!

Mario,

So like you drilled a hole in your finger and didn't realize that fact? You have more issues than a hole in your finger! Go to the doctor of your choice and see if you have something way more serious than that hole. I will assume that I am older than you, 66 now and pretty sure when I drill a hole in my finger,leg,whatever, I'll know that fact! Losing feeling in any extremities is usually a precursor to much worse stuff!

This is very important that you see a doctor and then describe what just happened and what has happened in the past, my friend,

Rich

One thing you can do for yourself that is very important is do not use a salve of any kind because it can heal the wound at the top but there could be developing bacteria deeper down in a deep wound that is not affected by the salve at the top. Having a clean wound is imperative. The last thing you want to do is have the wound heal at the top and be festering at the bottom of a deep wound. You don't want a partially healed wound that seals in bacteria below. Salves or antibacterial salves should not be used. Iodine is very good for cleaning a wound (it doesn't sting anymore, improved) and applied several times a day. It's not called iodine anymore it has a new name "Betadine."

A friend of mine that has a degree in horse management and knows about taking care of animals and their wounds, they injure themselves fairly often being heavy with their quick movements on fences and other large and small objects. She has to treat the horses she cares for herself unless it is something she can't handle herself or the vet bill would be huge. Much of what she does for them can be applied to humans. She is the one who told me about Betadine.

Sheeesssshhh Mario,

If I see a guy just recently hired to work in a kitchen and at 3:30 pm on a Wednesday while chopping celery he cuts his index finger I watch him the
following Wednesday. If he cuts himself at the same time doing the same job I want him fired. He is a menace to himself. Never mind me.

Any accident in a kitchen I have had has never been repeated.

Think about getting that shot again.

Dave

Thank you all, yes my wife says I am the most stubborn person, but only when it's about getting medical care. I am not really that accident prone but when you rush, you take chances and things happen, I usually fix myself up, I do really leave the er or doctors as a last resort, infection, or severe bleeding I can't control. I do take infections serious, I was bitten by a human in my police days and almost died withing hours of the bite, the person had the strep throat bacteria and it went strait into my blood system, It was during a riot and I could not leave my post, when I finally made it to the er, I had a red streak going up the inner part of my arm, all the way up to the arm pit and inches from my heart, they told I would have been at high risk for death if I had'nt come in when I did. The recovery was three weeks in the hospital and 1 month at home, serious, serious anti-biotics. The human mouth is so very full of bacteria, you are better off getting bit by a dog any day of the week.

This is why Urgent Care was invented...you go in, show your insurance card, they take you back and give you good drugs. It's like an easy version of the emergency room. Really. It's not that bad. I urge you to go there. They will give you a tetanus shot and something to kill the pain, maybe an X-ray, some real anti-biotics...nice huge pills that are hard to swallow but fix things fast. I understand because I don't like strangers touching me so I don't go to the doctor unless I think I am near death. I don't advise that course to anyone. I just told that truth so you would know I get it, your reticence about ER's and let's face it..any emergency room would scare the heck out of anybody. Ok, I have said my piece. I help you feel better. The hands have an awful lot of nerves in them..they are all necessary.

Suzanne,the wound is like a little crater, I think it will heal fine, I did pour peroxide in it, so there is like no skin to have it seal over. I will continue with the peroxide and the 3anti-biotic.

Dave, kitchen wounds are nit that bad, although I have has some really bloody ones, but you can clean them quickly and disinfect them.

Rich, what it was that it must have been 104 heat index and 99% humidity, I sweat so much, I just need to finish and get out of the sun, when your body is that hot a drill bit or a screw in a finger when your all sweaty can easily go unnoticed. I feel pain, believe me, but the same goes for pulled muscles , spranes and strains, when you body cools off is when you realize the extent of the injury.

severe bleeding you can not control? I am glad you have options.

Dave

If the wound doesn't get any better and it shows signs of infection then you would go to the ER. I'm like Mario I don't want a huge bill for something that I can take care of. Two weeks ago the bottom of my foot cracked that was a two inch wound where there seems to be a lot of nerves caused by having moist feet too long wearing sports shoes. The pharmacist told me to go to the doctor if it started to show signs of infection. I used the betadine several times a day and it healed nicely. The important thing is keeping the wound clean, even doctors can not clean a wound well (some can) you are probably better off doing it yourself.

About the only drug I feel comfortable taking for pain is aspirin, truly man's wonder drug! Feeling way better, maybe it was this thread! Keep telling me about your serious injuries, they are helping to relieve my pain. Lol

usually i clean with peroxide. i've had delays with pain. my thumb in the attic bled everywhere, but i was able to use it, just had to flick it now and then. i once poured a good amount of very hot - hot glue on my hand and between my fingers -that one i felt.

the mashing my hand with a hammer (trying to hit a remington nail gun), i did finish the job... but the pain was a 12....

the delay is either:

something more serious going on and you didn't feel it, as it happened hours ago

or it just happened and you noticed it then. a clean cut usually doesn't hurt, so that might be a puncture wound. i'm certain you would have felt the bit cutting flesh. that makes a distinct feeling. and you would have felt it when washing your hands.

or perhaps aliens were involved, with the lost time and all.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

also drink plenty of water, you could be very dehydrated and not even realize it. that could also explain the delay.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Wound care is the key! I also treat my pets, they only go to the vet for real emergencies. I have been around lots of er's in my career and I'm pretty good judge when you got to go, but, yes you save lots of money, but you have to be willing to take the pain.

I'm with Rich on this, no amount of heat or sweating would have prevented you from feeling a bit drilling into your finger. Sorry, that is not a normal sign. Go to a doctor and let them know you didn't feel it until HOURS later. This is not something to play with.

That's the key Mario, like you said keep cleaning the wound with your peroxide. I wound't put any salve on it just in case some of it is still on the wound when you clean it. It needs to breath and stay dry forming a scab. Salve is only for small shallow wounds.

Your right Mike, of all days thinking it was going to be a fifteen minute job, I didn't take my poweraide with me, it's impossible to work in this heat without it for more than 20 minutes, you will lose all you electrolites, it happened the very first day of summer to me, it took a week to recover, half way past heat exhaustion and just before heat stroke, very dangerous/

Melissa, sometimes outdoor physical labor gets intense, it's very common to not feel small cuts, or a drill slipping and a screw puncturing the skin, the same for sharp metal cuts, they are clean cuts, and you get so caught up in the work, unless your bleeding profusely you just keep going, it might sting a little or even hurt. I can't tell you the times I've closed bleeding wounds with duct tape, ask any construction worker, it's part of our first aide kit, Lol

Mario, you should be concerned about MRSA, also. Since you didn't notice the wound until hours later there's no telling what bacteria got into it. Peroxide doesn't kill everything. It's best to be safe and pay a visit to urgent care or your doctor.

I am concerned, I make light of it but, I am concerned. The radiating pain has pretty much stopped. my hole hand is tender to the touch and the finger section close to my palm is pretty swollen. I going to go soak it in ice water now. Let's see how it looks and feels tomorrow, at least it's not throbbing, and the pain has mostly subsided. Two more aspirin and a wound cleaning at midnite and I'm done for today. Thanks everyone for helping me through this painful moment, it's kept my mind off it for a little while. goodnite.

All those strange flesh eating diseases only need a very small hole in your skin to get started. I would not be taking a lot of chances. Doctors are cheaper them artificial limbs. Trust me I know.

mispost

Go See A Doctor. Really. You could end up crippled if you don't get this dealt with by a professional who knows what to do.
GO SEE A DOCTOR

Mario,

No, you are wrong! As I mentioned, I'm 66 and was out working on a client's fence gate the other day. Same temperature as what you were in and same heat index!

If you drill a hole in your hand, AND don't know that you just drilled a hole in your hand, then, as I mentioned, you have a MORE serious problem than that!

A few weeks ago, I sliced my thumb, with a brand new razor, cleaning old paint off a client's window glass, and even as sharp as that razor was, I knew immediately that I had just really cut myself!

You need to"man up" and go see a doctor and let him her know that you sometimes injure yourself and don't know it!

Rich

Rich, when I worked on cars all the time I often injured myself without realizing it. I often didn't know I was cut or my knuckle skinned until I saw blood running down my arm or covering the wrench. It's not an uncommon thing. When you are intensely focused on a task it's easy to miss a minor cut, especially when you are wresting with a transmission that just won't cooperate!

DK,

You are not Mario. People are reading this stuff quite differently.

Dave

Heat, redness and swelling, especially if accompanied by fever, are signs of infection. Taking aspirin can reduce the symptoms but will not fight the infection. Infections can kill you if they get out of hand (no pun intended). They can also become harder to treat. If you still have any of the symptoms when the aspirin wears off, get thy buttocks to qualified medical personnel.

Btw, this reminds me of the time I ran a sewing machine needle through my nail and into my finger. You might say I was somewhat aware of it when I did it. I impaled a shoe to the side of my foot with the eye end of a sewing needle once too. I noticed that one as well. Also, sewing is a deceptively dangerous hobby, apparently.

i thought it would be thine buttocks...

there are times when you don't notice you did something, i suppose if you destroy the nerve before it has a time to respond then i guess you may not feel it, not sure what triggers it later though. i could guess the heat might have suppressed the nervous system combine that with dehydration, and that's why there was a delay. still though there could be an underlying problem - diabetes or some other nerve impairment issue may be going on. and this could be that accident that saves your life down the line.

or there may be something neurologically wrong, if your drilling into your hand, cutting yourself, walking on nails, all within a few weeks apart. some part of you may be messed up and these things are happening.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Well I awoke from a not so good night of sleep, lots of tossing and turning and not knowing where to put my hand. No lock jaw, no throbbing to the hand although the injured finger is swollen and so are the top of my knuckles, put the pain has gotten very mild. I will keep a close watch, infection is really the only concern, as far as mobility, I can move all fingers and bend them except the one with the puncture. I'll have to wait for the swelling to go down to see about that one.

I am more convinced it was a screw tip that I drilled in, in other words the screw went thru and protruded the board I was screwing into and my finger happened to be there. It may have hurt, I don't remember, but it's like Dave K said you scrape you knuckles or hammer a finger, and you just keep working, usually later you feel it more. It's like stepping on a nail, your body weight is on the foot that steps on it, you feel the pinch and try to retract your foot, usually it's to late, you have a puncture it hurts some, but later that day you really feel the pain and can barley walk and it feels like a sledge hammer struck it .

I don't think any thing is wrong in the neurological department. I think Mike, was right about being dehydrated at the moment as a matter of fact that's really what led me to rush the job in the first place.

I'm not accident prone, but if you do different jobs every day, like crawling under homes, or working on a roof, or under someones sink, with all varieties of hand and power tools, you will get injured. My brother is a professional mechanic and we often share stories of work related injuries and ailments. From metal flakes in your eye, to cut fingers and swollen hands from wrenches slipping off stripped bolts, to burns or even chemicals coming in contact with your skin.

Go visit you local senior care facility.

The people there that are in their late 60's or early 70's that are gnarled up, missing fingers, hand, arms, feet and those that look like they have been beat with a bicycle chain.

A lot of those people were the ones that did not believe in going to doctors when they were younger. Maybe if they had, they would not be there at what is considered not all that old in today's world.

still drink lots of water right now.

RICE -

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation.

those are the steps. so keep the finger high some how, and do that other stuff.


it does make you wonder what was on the other end of that screw, or what was on your hand that is now in your body or perhaps, its deeper than the bone and it fractured it there.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Thanks Floyd, I do get it. I'm not totally against established medicine. Matter of fact I have had complete blood work and the works, not so long ago. Other than a little border line cholesterol and border line hypertension, I am very healthy with a very healthy immune system. I quit smoking 4 or 5 years ago and that really improved my health. I also eat well, and don't over indulge in strong drink. Wine is a good alternative in moderation.

I just saw a report the other day also how common these flesh eating bacteria are in hospitals, matter of fact studies indicate you can get these just by visiting the hospital. They now rank hospitals for risk factors based on this. Pretty scary if you ask me. Of course there are times where you just have to go, and I'm not at all against that, I have had my share of er visits.

I do often take what doctors say and prescribe with a grain of salt. I have gotten my self off BP medication and statins, and feel much better since, and blood pressure has maintained, cholesterol I counter with foods and spices, as I do BP. The natural approach is often less harmful than big pharma solutions.

I hate to bring this into the the conversation, but my dad had a small abrasion on his leg that he didn't immediately attend to. It wasn't very visible (or my mother would have dragged him to the doctor because he was a diabetic) and my dad ignored it. Well about 3 days later he had a blood pressure drop that was so bad he fell and couldn't get up. Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating bacteria) had set in and he died in the hospital 3 days later. It killed him so fast...he was on total life support by the time I got to the hospital (had to get to FL from CA). Please don't mess with injuries involving metal...and yes those white fibers are probably the nerve sheath. I had a nerve sheath tumor removed from my pinkie finger and it was an awake surgery and that's just what it looks like. You probably did drill into a nerve. Mario, every person replying thinks it's a good idea to see a doctor and maybe ultimately a hand surgeon. I don't get why this isn't important to you. You make your living with your hands. And injuries while you're young turn into painful arthritis when you get older especially if a bone isn't set right.

Yes Mike, I am thinking slight fracture is very possible, considering how little fatty tissue is around the finger right at the joint, there is very little there but bone and nerves and ligaments, that's why the wound did not draw a drop of blood. The screw was a drywall screw that was from a fairly new box and they were the black coated ones. But who knows what other bacteria lurked, the man had an old nest setting in one of the three mailboxes which I removed. But I think you are right sounds like a fracture, the puncture itself isn't all that deep,and the bone is right there in line with the puncture, this will take days to recover from. it's light duty for me now.

Oh wow Joy, so sorry to hear that story. I don't know what to say now!

you should say, go to the doctor, or a small er clinic that has an xray. get it checked today. that's what your going to say. with all that book money coming in, you can pay cash if you wanted to, i'm sure insurance pays for some of that anyway. that's why you have insurance, which i assume you have...

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Say you will go and get it looked at!!!! What are you like?

GO TO THE DOCTOR.

Since bone was exposed I'd say you should get it looked at, or at the very least at the slightest sign of infection. My Dad got his finger pinched while working on a truck, (he was a truck mechanic, talk about an occupation that uses your body up!). He didn't realize it at the time but the bone had been crushed at the end of his finger. Somehow the bone itself got infected. My Dad was one to avoid going to the doctor as well, especially when there was still work to do, but within a hours he noticed his finger turning odd colors so he ran to the emergency room. Turns out the bone itself had been infected. Bone infections are especially nasty and fast working. At one look the doc admitted him to intensive care, they had to amputate a half inch off his finger to begin with and then immediately pumped him full of high potency antibiotics and checked on him often to make sure the infection didn't spread further and necessitate further amputation. Luckily he got there in time, much longer and he could have lost his arm or even his life.

Mario,

If you don't go to see a doctor, Can I have your sculptures?

Rich

Rich,

I have first dibs.

Dave

Hot, humid climates are breeding grounds for all sorts of nasty bacteria and since no one has mentioned community-associated MRSA, I will. Community-associated MRSA bacteria is everywhere, not just hospitals. It is introduced through a puncture wound or any gash in the skin. If you have an open wound on your hand, the bacteria could be transferred from the handle of a shopping cart, for example. I had a tiny puncture from a wasp sting and it became infected with MRSA shortly after I'd been in a local clinic. I would have died if I hadn't gotten to a doctor quickly. A healthy little girl in the valley did die not long after because it wasn't diagnosed in time.

Yes go to the doctor Mario, and I wonder if you have blood poisoning, it sounds like it.

Blood poisoning occurs when bacteria causing infection in another part of your body enter your bloodstream. Infection in your lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract are commonly linked to septicemia.

Sometimes you develop blood poisoning at the same time as another infection. It can also occur before certain infections. These timings are associated with:

meningitis – central nervous system infection
osteomyelitis – bone infection
endocarditis – heart infection

Part 3 of 7: Symptoms
Recognizing the Symptoms Blood Poisoning

Symptoms of blood poisoning include:

chills
high fever
rapid breathing
increased heart rate
paleness

Advanced symptoms of blood poisoning may be life threatening and include:

confusion
red spots on the skin
shock
little to no urine output (in some cases)

Blood poisoning can lead to respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock. If the condition isn’t treated right away, these complications can lead to death.



---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Yes, we all have staph on our skin and it's everywhere. If you're immuno-compromised, you're even more vulnerable to picking up an infection. Since my father's death (in hot, humid sticky Florida) I'm like a maniac about cuts and little blemishes. I've got the entire First Aid section of Walgreens in my medicine cabinet. MRSA, necrotizing fasciitis...they are both forms of staph bacteria. You can take 3 showers a day, but if those nasty forms of staph get into your system because of an injury, even picking at a hangnail!...if the conditions are right to host that bacteria, then it can be very sickening, even deadly. Kathleen, I'm sure you're super vigilant now.

I just got back from the walk in urgent care, but I didn't get treated, there was a lot of people all coughing up a storm, I left. I took my temperature 96.5, the finger swelling is down, although the knuckles are still swollen, no pain. I'm gonna do cold compresses with ice now. They are open tomorrow, so should anything change or get worse I will go. I don't think it's infected, I have had infected wounds, it's more swelling like that from a sprained ankle puffy and soft. Infection is my only concern, and that's what I am focused on.

I'm glad you went, Mario...but sorry about the coughing people. I don't blame you for leaving. Hope it gets better soon! :) Take it easy! And don't labor too much over this Labor Day Weekend! ;)

LOL, laughter is good medicine, thank you all! Rich & David, you guys are too much, I have many more sculptures left in me,still. Taking my high doses of vitamin C,plenty of protein in the form of, beef ribs, pork ribs, and can't forget that supplemental poultry, chicken wings,some roasted hot peppers to kill off all unwanted substances in the body, must wash it down with the divine remedy so often mentioned in holy places called "red wine"to renew the blood. Enjoy your labor day!

So I thought I would just say I'm back in commission, I managed to get a good nights sleep, I took the brace of my finger and it shows no signs of infection, it doesn't look pretty, as it looks like it's an over weight finger and hand, but even the swelling has started to subside. No pain, unless I try and do something with the finger beside type. I was very fortunate this time, I dodged the bullet and I will be wearing protective gloves for future drilling events. Not that they are drill proof but they offer some level of protection. Next time a customer stands behind me wanting to watch my every move, we are going to have a serious discussion. I already have a policy that if they want to help and give advise while I work it's a different price then the one quoted and it's not less, it's a real policy and I usually prefer the customer not even be around when I'm working, though that's not always possible. You would be surprised how many customers call and say to me "I need a handyman to help me do this or that", I say, I can do "that" for you! Lol