AboutRoger Eib Expertise Will be willing to answer any question on prehospital Emergency Medicine or first aid I am a Paramedic supervisor for a hospital based ambulance service in Indiana. I have 25 years experience in all aspects of prehospital emergency medicine, both basic and advanced life support. I am certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Question My husband is a sanitation worker and cut his thumb on a piece of glass while working. A day or so later he smashed the same thumb while helping a friend move some things. On top of that he has blisters on it from sweeping out a storage area. It's terribly swollen and red. It's very painful. We put ice on it off and on and he has tried to keep it elevated. I read your advice on relieving the pressure under the nail bed but the pain is mostly on the knuckle area. Should he seek medical help or wait a day or two? He is concerned he may need antibiotics.
Answer Paula,
I agree with your husband. With his line of work there is a good chance that it has become infected. He has has not had one in the past 3-5 years, he will need a tetanus shot. I would suggest that he see a doctor to have the injuries evaluated.
