# Sliced Finger: What to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 18, 2013, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660 "2013-05-18T06:55:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/1 "2013-05-18T06:55:01Z")
Okay, I feel a little ridiculous posting this on a message board, but it’s 2 am and nobody I know here is awake. So I was just cutting an apple and managed to slice my finger a little bit. I’m normally **very** careful with knives, so I’m not used to this sort of thing. It did bleed sort of a lot, and I felt a bit faint, but I think the latter is just because I’m not used to getting hut. Anyway, the bleeding stopped after about 3 minutes and it’s fine now. I’m assuming I’m not in immediate danger. The cut is approximately circular with a diameter of .5 cm. The problem is, unfortunately I cannot find any first aid supplies (I just moved in with my stepdad). Stupid, I know. Do you think I can wait until tomorrow to bandage it? Should I put vaseline on it for now? Also, since it was a ‘slice’, the skin is still all there. It seems fairly firmly attached on one side, so my finger looks pretty much normal unless I were to lift it up. I let it stay, figuring I’d do more damage trying to pull it off than leaving it there. Wise? I hope the skin flap doesn’t trap bacteria under there or anything. So yeah, I know this is ridiculous, but any advice about what you would do would be great. ---
**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 18, 2013, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/2 "2013-05-18T07:44:11Z")
Is there a hospital near you? The ER would have all you need to fix it up. Other than that: Don’t attempt to remove the flap, and I don’t think vaseline is a good idea. Just keep it dry ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/3 "2013-05-18T07:48:21Z")
In the morning get some anti-biotic ointment like Neosporin and some peroxide. Rinse it with peroxide, put a big glob of ointment on the cut and put a bandaid on it. Repeat daily or more often. That flap of skin will die and peel off eventually and fresh skin will grow underneath, perhaps leaving no scar at all. It’s a really minor cut. I’ve got to ask this, how old are you that you’ve never had a minor cut before in your life? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/4 "2013-05-18T07:48:30Z")
IANAD but I would disinfect it then super glue the edges down. In the morning buy some neosporin and the sport version of Bandaid brand bandages. They’re flexible and will not pull at the wound. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/5 "2013-05-18T07:52:03Z")
This isn’t medical advice, but this is what I do: I put a bandaid on it, and when the flap hardens I peel it off, careful not to get much live skin with it. If there’s a LOT of flap, I’ll cut it off. Now keep in mind this could be incredibly stupid advice, but it’s what I do and I’ve never had a problem so long as I keep it clean. ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/6 "2013-05-18T07:56:14Z")
Ah, thanks for the advice everyone. At this time I don’t think I need to go to the hospital. I’m one of the millions of underinsured Americans, so any health problem is a potential life ruining crisis. I do think I overreacted in posting this thread, but it’s better safe than sorry, I guess. I don’t actually know if I’ll be able to put any ointment on the cut itself without tearing it apart. It does seem to already be growing together. I guess it’ll be okay, but infection is a concern. > [@TriPolar](#): > > I’ve got to ask this, how old are you that you’ve never had a minor cut before in your life? I’m 18. And yes, it is more than a little silly. I guess I grew up in a poor household, so I was always taught to be extremely careful around anything dangerous because we couldn’t afford any medical bills. One of my hobbies actually involves using sharp knives on a regular basis but I’ve never been cut before. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/7 "2013-05-18T08:02:26Z")
> [@Mathematics](#): > > I don’t actually know if I’ll be able to put any ointment on the cut itself without tearing it apart. It does seem to already be growing together. I guess it’ll be okay, but infection is a concern. Just put a blob over the cut. It will help a little. You would probably be fine without it. ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/8 "2013-05-18T08:07:53Z")
Thanks, I’ll do that. It is actually pretty odd. I’ve only been to the doctor a few times in my life. I’ve rarely been hurt (except a couple of running injuries over the years), so I have no experience to use to determine whether something is serious or not. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/9 "2013-05-18T13:22:36Z")
You’ll be fine. But DAMN finger tip cuts are the frick’n worst!! I feel your pain. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/10 "2013-05-18T14:04:35Z")
Fur future reference (since it sounds like this handled itself)… First thing is to stop the bleeding with 15 minutes of direct pressure. I mean it! 15 minutes! Stop peeking! If you see blood on whatever you’re using to absorb and apply pressure - paper towel works well - don’t take it off, put more absorbent material on top of the bloody one. Taking the bottom one off disrupts the clotting your body’s trying to do to stop the bleeding and makes it start over. When the bleeding has stopped, current first aid would guidelines state that wounds should be washed clean with running water. That’s it. No soap in the wound, although soap on the intact skin around the wound is okay. If the wound can be cleaned with running water (that is, there’s no debris stuck in it) then you should put a bandage on it to keep it clean while it heals. If the wound cannot be cleaned of debris and foreign matter with running water, then you should leave it open to the air and seek medical attention. Don’t breathe on it or blow on it or stick it in your mouth! Common reactions to small injuries, but obviously a bad idea. Mouths are full of germs! [Mayo Clinic is still recommending triple antibiotic ointment](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-cuts/FA00042) (Neosporin, et al) for home treatment of minor wounds, but that’s becoming controversial in the industry. Overuse of [triple antibiotic may be contributing to the evolution of some antibiotic resistant bacteria](http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/pdfs/10-1365-ahead_of_print.pdf). Research is still being done, and I don’t believe the CDC has a particular stance on it one way or the other right now. I’m partial to a smear of honey on small wounds myself. No one with official letters is recommending it for home first aid right now, although we do have these [nifty wound packing materials with “medical grade” honey](http://www.4mdmedical.com/calcium-alginate-dressing-with-active-leptospermum-honey-rectangle-3-4-x-12-inch.html?ft_id=5%7C133%7CMKS31012101&gclid=COLQwqrln7cCFcU7Mgod8kUAbA#.UZeGTkpWLXg) available for professional use. Wounds which don’t stop bleeding with 15 minutes of direct pressure should have medical attention. Wounds were you can see stuff inside you that you normally can’t, like fat or tendons, should be seen by a doctor. Puncture wounds (anything deeper than a pencil eraser) and gaping wounds or wounds with jagged edges should have medical attention. Bandages should be changed once a day, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Clean the wound when you take the old bandage off. Again, no soap in the wound, but around it is okay. No butter. No Crisco. No alcohol. No hydrogen peroxide. No mecurochrome that’s been sitting in your mom’s medicine cabinet since 1982. No nothin’. Most uncomplicated, uninfected wounds do much better if they’re left alone, other than being kept clean, and the wound bed is kept moist while the skin around it is kept dry. For a simple kitchen cut, this most often means just a band-aid after washing. ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/11 "2013-05-18T15:45:42Z")
Thanks so very much WhyNot. I have gotten some band aids and a few other basic items. I’ll research what else I need to get. I will try not to do anything odd to it. It does look odd today. The skin is still there, but you can see that it’s cut around it. I suppose I’ll just bandage it up and check on it periodically. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/12 "2013-05-18T20:01:20Z")
One other detail to think about: Have you had your tetanus shot? And are you up on your boosters? You should have a tetanus shot when you’re young (along with all the other usual kiddie shots), and then a booster every ten years. This becomes relevant especially for deep wounds or puncture wounds, that are not directly exposed to the air. For the kind of wound you described here, probably not too much risk. Information about tetanus and tetanus immunization shots: > **[Preventing Tetanus](https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/understanding-tetanus-prevention)** > > From symptoms to treatment to prevention, get the basics on tetanus from the experts at WebMD. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/13 "2013-05-18T20:17:31Z")
yeah **WhyNot** gave good advice. for a smaller cut making sure debris is out (rinse under water), stop the bleeding and cover to keep clean and to keep the cut edges from catching and opening the wound is often all that’s needed. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/14 "2013-05-18T20:23:56Z")
In the future, avoid slicing fruit after you’ve been drinking. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/15 "2013-05-18T20:51:29Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’m partial to a smear of honey on small wounds myself. No one with official letters is recommending it for home first aid right now, although we do have these [nifty wound packing materials with “medical grade” honey](http://www.4mdmedical.com/calcium-alginate-dressing-with-active-leptospermum-honey-rectangle-3-4-x-12-inch.html?ft_id=5%7C133%7CMKS31012101&gclid=COLQwqrln7cCFcU7Mgod8kUAbA#.UZeGTkpWLXg) available for professional use. Bee vomit helps our wounds heal cleanly? What a wonderful world! > [@Mathematics](#): > > Thanks so very much WhyNot. > I have gotten some band aids and a few other basic items. I’ll research what else I need to get. > I will try not to do anything odd to it. > > It does look odd today. The skin is still there, but you can see that it’s cut around it. I suppose I’ll just bandage it up and check on it periodically. As long as it doesn’t become red or puffy, or start oozing noxious fluid - and it probably won’t - you’ll be fine. Just keep it clean and dry. If it does, see a doctor. Blood infections aren’t something to fool with - although, again, you probably won’t get one. That said, if you haven’t had a tetanus shot in a while, it’s a smart idea to get a booster. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/16 "2013-05-19T03:24:21Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > That said, if you haven’t had a tetanus shot in a while, it’s a smart idea to get a booster. i haven’t had one for 47 years. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/17 "2013-05-19T03:34:01Z")
> [@Mathematics](#): > > It does look odd today. The skin is still there, but you can see that it’s cut around it. I suppose I’ll just bandage it up and check on it periodically. It might not ever look normal again. I had a similar cut years ago and the skin flap fused to my finger tip, but not smoothly, so it looks like my there’s a bubble under the skin. ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/18 "2013-05-19T04:05:35Z")
Oh, I have to say, I don’t really care about scars. Especially not small ones like this has the potential to be. Do you feel the same, Omega Glory? About tetanus - I don’t think \* Clostridium tetani\* could live in this wound I have, because it is an obligate anaerobe. I think air is actually getting in there under the space between the ‘flap’. Hopefully. The would is quite shallow. It is a good reminder, though. I believe I am up to date, but I should check. ---
**Author:** ![Catfood\_Purrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Catfood\_Purrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catfood_Purrito)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/19 "2013-05-19T04:46:12Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > i haven’t had one for 47 years. Congratulations? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sliced-finger-what-to-do/658660/20 "2013-05-19T04:50:50Z")
> [@Mathematics](#): > > I’m 18. And yes, it is more than a little silly. Nah! Everything is a little more worrisome at 2:00 in the morning.