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meat slicer injury

Posted In: Medical Stories 4 Replies
  • Posted By: Tenngal71
  • October 13, 2007
  • 01:51 PM

two days ago i go my thumb in a meat slicer at work....it cut a chunk off the side of my thumb and half my nail...it bled so bad an ambulance was called...they used silver nitrate to stop the bleeding (VERY PAINFUL) it worked for awhile...then that night it started bleeding again.....pretty heavy...actually spurting at times...went to e.r. got shot, cleaned it out...etc.....now the pain is so intence my meds are not helping...i know its going to hurt...but im worried about infection the most...especially from the slicer....anyone know about wound trauma like this and what to look for.....or when i should seek im on antibiotics...but that is not always going to stop infection..any advice is appreciated....

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  • Of course your worker's comp will pay for all of your medical, so I would stay on top of that situation. You may need to see a surgeon who specializes in hand surgery, pdq--like today. Hands are funny and need the specialist. You could try acupuncture to help in the meantime for pain, before or after surger. As far as bacterial, well now it depends on what you were slicing. I'm sure you were treated for infection at the ER. Probably lots of iodine. If you were handling raw meat, that would be another worry, but get over the initial injury first.
    Monsterlove 2921 Replies
    • October 14, 2007
    • 07:10 AM
    • 0
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  • I am sorry i used to work in a deli and cut myself twice once i needed 7 stitches. Didn't hurt that bad but it did bleed a lot I was always told that when you do get a cut on the hand that it bleeds a lot even if it is a small cut (the first time i just nicked the corner of the skin on my thumb). Mine never reopened cause they stitched it together but now I get cysts in my wrist from working the machines so much so all in all i feel the deli is a dangerous place to work lol. Hope you feel better and your cut gets better sorry i couldn't be much help
    Anonymous 42789 Replies
    • October 15, 2007
    • 04:39 PM
    • 0
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  • Hey I actually did the exact same thing today but i didnt go to the ER. I just cleaned it with peroxide and neosporin and wrapped it in gauze. mine is still bleeding a lot too but i don't think you can get an infection if you keep it clean and covered.
    Anonymous 42789 Replies Flag this Response
  • two days ago i go my thumb in a meat slicer at work....it cut a chunk off the side of my thumb and half my nail...it bled so bad an ambulance was called...they used silver nitrate to stop the bleeding (VERY PAINFUL) it worked for awhile...then that night it started bleeding again.....pretty heavy...actually spurting at times...went to e.r. got shot, cleaned it out...etc.....now the pain is so intence my meds are not helping...i know its going to hurt...but im worried about infection the most...especially from the slicer....anyone know about wound trauma like this and what to look for.....or when i should seek im on antibiotics...but that is not always going to stop infection..any advice is appreciated....Hi Tenngal71,Sounds like you've been having less-than-fun!When you sustain a cut that "cut a chunk off the side of my thumb and half my nail", that's called an avulsion. Silver nitrate is INDEED very painful...(and sometimes not as good at stopping bleeding as a good old fashioned pressure bandage). It sounds like the ER Doc fixed you up with a tetanus booster injection, which you'd need if you hadn't had one within the past five years, wound care, and oral antibiotics? (if so, what specific antibiotic, dosage, # of days). OR was the "shot" an antibiotic rather than a tetanus booster?I don't think that, short of skin grafting, there's much surgical intervention with a wound of this nature. Be sure to finish ALL oral antibiotics. What pain meds were prescribed? Keeping the affected hand elevated as often as possible can help decrease pain/throbbing.For specific wound care...I'd recommend you use a topical antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin, Bacitracin, or Triple A, and keep the wound covered with a sterile dressing (a Telfa pad is good...doesn't stick too badly) and a gauze wrap bandage. Keep the area as clean and dry as possible and change the dressing/bandage (apply more AB ointment) every day for a week, then every two days until healing begins. If you see increased redness around the wound or any yellow/green drainage you need to have it re-checked by a Doc.Happy healing!! : )John
    JonMac 165 Replies Flag this Response
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