# "I cut my finger cleaning an onion. What do I do?" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 2, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124 "2006-05-02T17:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/1 "2006-05-02T17:22:00Z")
My wife just called. “I was cleaning an onion, and punctured my finger with the knife. I can see a vein, and it’s nicked. What do I do?” “Wrap it up in a rag, and go to the ER.” “I thought if I put pressure on it, it would stop. It’s been 25 minutes, and it’s still bleeding. What do I do?” “Wrap it up in a rag, and go to the ER.” More insistant. “But the cut is small. I don’t think they can stitch it.” “Before I married you, I cut my finger cleaning a fish, clear to the bone. They put 2 stitches in it. **Wrap. it. up. in. a. rag., and. go. to. the. ER**.” “OK, I’ll put the dog away and go…” :rolleyes: :smack: :rolleyes: :smack: :rolleyes: :smack: You dumbass. If you cut yourself that bad and don’t want to get it treated, why did you even bother to call? ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/2 "2006-05-02T17:26:18Z")
You clean onions with a knife? I’m with you here brother. Did she go? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/3 "2006-05-02T17:26:43Z")
Maybe she wanted you to go with her, but she felt silly asking. And don’t call her names. We’re not all good in a crisis. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/4 "2006-05-02T17:28:37Z")
She’s on the way… ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/5 "2006-05-02T17:30:11Z")
I did the same thing about five weeks ago. I was cutting a large onion, when it slipped out of my hand, and the knife sliced into my finger. It did take a couple hours for it to stop bleeding, even with constant pressure. If I had health insurance, I probably would have gone to the hospital. Even five weeks later, it still hurts sometimes. Hope your wife is ok. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/6 "2006-05-02T17:30:44Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Maybe she wanted you to go with her, but she felt silly asking. > > And don’t call her names. We’re not all good in a crisis. I can be a dumbass, too. I separated my shoulder in a martial arts class, but I went home to watch Lost before I went to the ER by myself to get it x-rayed and put in a sling for a couple weeks. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/7 "2006-05-02T17:31:17Z")
Wow. Same exact thing happened to me. except during the 3 hours I was waiting in the ER, the bleeding stopped. And the doc opted not to put a stitch on it. Except, of course, it was a winter squash. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/8 "2006-05-02T17:32:55Z")
I never have a problem diagnosing another person’s need to see a doctor, but I always have a problem with my own injuries. “maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow” or “maybe it’ll stop bleeding” or “maybe I won’t be seeing double in a week”… ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/9 "2006-05-02T17:33:18Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Wow. Same exact thing happened to me. except during the 3 hours I was waiting in the ER, the bleeding stopped. And the doc opted not to put a stitch on it. > > Except, of course, it was a winter squash. Both of us have enough health problems that a trip to the ER is called for, even if they don’t stitch her up. She has blood clotting problems because of medications, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/10 "2006-05-02T18:15:51Z")
YEars ago when my son was 14 or so, he was at his dads alone for a few hours (while I was at work). Before his dad left, son asked “Dad, can I shoot my bow and arrow while you’re gone?” sure, said his dad. Did I mention he’s an “Ex” husband? this is reason # 123,124,763,384,989,192,952. anyhow. Later, much later, son calls to find out when I’m coming to pick him up. Then mentions casually "Oh, by the way, I cut myself w/an arrow. but **numbnuts** (son used the guys name, I’m using his more technically accurate description) next door looked at it and said “you better keep an eye on that”. I decided to pick him up then. NOw, this is several hours after his injury. I took one look at it, it was still bleeding, knew he needed stiches. There was a hunk of flesh the size of a quarter, missing from his leg. It wasn’t just a gash, it was a gouge. Several stiches later (yes, it got infected of course), my son now has a manly looking scar on his leg from what we refer to as “The arrow incident”. He had an excuse (he was a child, an adult had looked at it w/o saying ‘get thee to a doctor pronto’). but yea, that would drive me up a tree, too. especially if she had health issues. I’ve known women like that, who, for whatever reason, couldn’t manage to make the giant leap of “I need medical attention, perhaps I should go obtain some” w/o talking to the man in their life. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/11 "2006-05-02T18:21:24Z")
Loss of blood & shock can cause confusion. Be kind. **VunderBob** –Call your wife. NOW! Be _certain_ she went. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/12 "2006-05-02T18:23:14Z")
She’s on the way home. No sutures, but they did cauterize the vein, update her tetanus, and give her a prescription for antibiotics for a week. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/13 "2006-05-02T18:25:17Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Loss of blood & shock can cause confusion. > > Be kind. > > **VunderBob** –Call your wife. NOW! Be _certain_ she went. Simupost. She’s on the way home, and I don’t think she lost _that much_ blood. It was her finger, not her jugular… ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/14 "2006-05-02T18:33:32Z")
I’m glad she’s okay, but did she have to drive herself? I sure wouldn’t want to encounter someone dizzy from blood loss (25 minutes! Sure it wasn’t her jugular but that’s a long time to bleed, right?) and only using one hand to drive while nervously checking out the bleeding finger on the other hand. My reverse story: When I was married I cut my thumb on a glass while washing dishes. It looked pretty bad so I called my husband at work to run me to the ER. (We only had the one car and I couldn’t go alone anyway with my toddler running around.) “Oh I’m sure it’ll be fine; you know you tend to exaggerate things”. No, I’m terrified of hospitals and have a severe phobia related to needles. I don’t just go to the ER for a nick. I ended up getting my grandmother to come across town to carry me in while my grandfather watched my toddler. Eight stitches later husband felt a bit sheepish and apologized, but damn, your wife calls while bleeding, don’t make light of it. (for ex, not necessarily you) ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/15 "2006-05-02T18:37:55Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > I’m glad she’s okay, but did she have to drive herself? > I sure wouldn’t want to encounter someone dizzy from blood loss (25 minutes! Sure it wasn’t her jugular but that’s a long time to bleed, right?) and only using one hand to drive while nervously checking out the bleeding finger on the other hand. In this case, I work a half hour away from home, so if I did go to take her, it would have been a minimum 45 minutes before she was at the hospital, vs. 15 minutes if she went by herself. ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/16 "2006-05-02T19:02:59Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I never have a problem diagnosing another person’s need to see a doctor, but I always have a problem with my own injuries. “maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow” or “maybe it’ll stop bleeding” or “maybe I won’t be seeing double in a week”… I hear ya. Years ago, I was dinking off with my cousin and fell into the coffee table, hurting my arm really bad. I never told anyone. A couple of years after that, x-rays showed a healed broken bone that was never treated. Oops. Last spring I cut myself while chopping up veggies. I could tell it was bad but I didn’t want to look at or (or deal with it for that matter) so I wrapped it up and tried to forget about it. A day later I thought that maybe I should have a doc look at it since I could tell it was gapped wide open under the wrap. Five stitches (and a scolding from the doc) later . . . . Last summer I started experiencing double vision. Maybe it was my Lasix going bad. . . . maybe I was tired. . . . maybe I won’t be seeing double in a week. . . . Months later, it finally got bad enough that I went in for an eye exam. A diagnosis of a brain tumor and two surgeries later. . . . . . . I still haven’t learned my lesson. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/17 "2006-05-02T19:10:15Z")
Glad to hear she’s ok! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/18 "2006-05-02T19:28:06Z")
> [@Diane](#): > > I hear ya. > > Years ago, I was dinking off with my cousin and fell into the coffee table, hurting my arm really bad. I never told anyone. A couple of years after that, x-rays showed a healed broken bone that was never treated. Oops. > > Last spring I cut myself while chopping up veggies. I could tell it was bad but I didn’t want to look at or (or deal with it for that matter) so I wrapped it up and tried to forget about it. A day later I thought that maybe I should have a doc look at it since I could tell it was gapped wide open under the wrap. Five stitches (and a scolding from the doc) later . . . . > > Last summer I started experiencing double vision. Maybe it was my Lasix going bad. . . . maybe I was tired. . . . maybe I won’t be seeing double in a week. . . . Months later, it finally got bad enough that I went in for an eye exam. A diagnosis of a brain tumor and two surgeries later. . . . > > . . . I still haven’t learned my lesson. :rolleyes: Wow, you are _hardcore_! I thought I was pretty dumb and tough for not going in for a sinus infection! ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/19 "2006-05-02T19:44:28Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Wow, you are _hardcore_! I thought I was pretty dumb and tough for not going in for a sinus infection! Hardcore? Nah, more like really wimpy when it comes to going to the doctor. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124/20 "2006-05-02T20:25:15Z")
Doctor’s office? Hospital? Fuck that shit. There’s _sick_ people in them places. What? Sumbody hadda say it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-my-finger-cleaning-an-onion-what-do-i-do/355124.md?page=2)