Topic: Stabbed my finger with needle. Nerve pain/damage. Suggestions?
Tammy N.
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This is really dumb.....
5 days ago I started B12 injections at home. The syringes I received from the compounding pharmacy were prefilled. You have to screw off the cap and screw on the needle. No big deal with that. Now this is the dumb part..... I went to pull the cap off the actual needle, and when it released my hand kicked back (like a reflex) and the needle went deep through the left side of my middle finger on the diagonal (about 1/2"+). I even bent the damn needle.
Since then, the pad of my finger is numb. But what's really the problem is the pain I am having in the center of my finger whenever anything presses against it (between the knuckle and next joint toward the tip). Any time I try to lift a tea cup, or pour water, or use utensils while cooking, etc. if it hits this area, I get a major surge of nerve pain. Like I really need this.... I mean, really.
I'm not going to call my LLMD because I feel like I have had too many calls recently about various other things. Not that I think she can do anything anyway.
Sometimes early interventions are necessary for certain things. I'm not sure if this is one of those things. Or if there is nothing that can be done and just let time try to heal it for me.
If you have any thoughts/suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks.
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If you have insurance you might try to get an appointment with a neurologist. I am sure you would have to see a GP first but you might be able to get a referral. I imagine in most cases this will resolve on it's own
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Carol in PA
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Treat it by doing warm soaks, which will increase the bloodflow and help the damaged cells to heal.
Do warm soaks on your hand for 20 to 30 minutes every two hours. Use a large pot with very warm water...a big pot of water will hold the heat longer. (Four quart pot is good.) Fill the pot two thirds full or so, and put the towel right next to you.
You can set it up at the table, so that you can read while your hand is soaking. Put a chair next to you for the pot of warm water, so that you can just place your hand down in it, which is more comfortable than trying to bend your forearm over a pot on the table.
It's not the water that's helping, it's the HEAT. The heat relaxes the blood vessels, increasing the bloodflow.
That's a common problem, to stab yourself with the needle when you pull the cap off. Nurses learn to pull the cap off with one long motion...I had to train myself to do this, but I've still stabbed myself a couple times.
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Sound good Carol, but could you elaborate on which injuries need heat and which need ice?
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chiquita incognita
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Hi Mattnapa, Carol and Tammy In my understanding, cold is best for new injuries while hot/warm is better for older ones.
Heat brings circulation to the area, increasing "heat" (in Traditional Chinese medical terms. This is a symbolic language encompassing things like inflammation, as well as positive therapeutics like warmth and circulation, et al).
I would suggest in the case of a new inflammatory injury, warmth and heat would cause pathogenic "heat" TCM terms. I would do ice instead, for the first couple of weeks.
Homeopathic Hypericum Perforatum is for nerve injuries. You could do a 30c (spans mental/physical levels) or a 6 c (works on the physical plane. Feel free to double check me about the dosages, I am not a homeopath).
To mix the homeopathic traumeel oil with St Johnswort *oil* (not hte tincture, different constituents) is really good! You could apply this topically. SJW is high in flavonoids which are nerve anti-inflammatories. I recommend either the GAIA Herbs or Herbpharm brands.
SJW will interact with a long list of medications and reduce their effectiveness if taken internally. Externally, and especially when applied to a small area like a finger prick, it shouldn't be a problem. If you are concerned, check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure.
Warm or hot compresses could come later, after healing.
Avoid arnica, this is not to be absorbed by open wounds, it has a toxic alkaloid (called Helanalin) that is not desireable to enter into the blood. It's fine (really excellent, actually) on injuries involving muscles that are not involving broken or abbraded skin.I am mentioning it in case anyone at the healthfood store (who doesn't know better, but they should) suggests it. Not wise in this case, and it's more for muscle and tendon injuries than for nerves. SJW oil is a much better way to go for nerve injuries and is non-toxic.
Many years ago, an immune specialist who healed me of environmental illness with characteristic MS like symptoms that accompanied it, said that nerves are the slowest body system to heal. Even slower than bones. Be patient, he said, but they can heal.
To encourage nerve tissue growth and repair, DHA from fish oil could be helpful. I recommend the Nordic Naturals, these are 3rd party tested to reflect 0 ppb routinely, batch tested. Come to think of it, EPA is also a nerve anti-inflammatory so maybe even just the whole fish oil might be a wise way to go (has both EPA and DHA). Lecithin is also a component of brain and nerve tissue. Vitamin C can be a good anti-inflammatory and also encourages collagen growth. Supplementing could help, but remember that it all takes time to heal. I would alternate the oils/lecithin with the vitamin C, take them separately, so the acidic C does not cancel out the effectiveness of the oily supplements.
I agree that seeing a neurologist would be important to do.
Aspirin as anti-inflammatory might be wise. Or, you could try the herbal product by New CHapter Organics, Headache Take Care. This has many salycin-rich herbs, from some of which aspirin once used to be made (Meadowsweet, and white willow is now used). This would be a good natural anti-inflammatory if you prefer not to use aspirin. It will *not* have the same effects on the stomach as aspirin will. There are constituents in the herbs which shield the gut from damage as happens with the extracted salicylic acid or herbal salycins alone.
For anybody intersted in reading more about herbs, tests and the herbal constituents, I recommend the book by Elizabeth Williamson called Potters Herbal Cyclopedia. See also the writings of David Hoffmann and Christopher Hobbs and Jonathan Treasure.
The above information has not been evaluated by the FDA and does not diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.
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chiquita incognita
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PS Tammy
First aid: Timing is key. THe earlier you can get to any injury of any kind, the faster it is likely to be able to heal.
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Razzle
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Homeopathic Hypericum is great stuff. I use it for severe pain, and it works great. It is for puncture wounds, nerve injuries, injuries to fingers/toes, and will help prevent tetanus. Pellets or tincture, under the tongue; take as often as needed (as often as once every 5 minutes) for the pain, but make sure to take a dose 3-4x/day until symptoms are gone.
Homeopathic Arnica may be helpful as well - it is for pain, injury and shock. Pellets are easiest; 2 pellets under the tongue 2-3x/day.
Topically, Hypericum tincture or gel is fine. Apply to the area affected by the injury - including where there is numbness and also wherever you feel pain.
Do not put Arnica topically on broken skin...it is too irritating to the wound.
Potencies: X potencies (lowest potencies available) are for immediate relief, acute symptoms (symptoms that are new).
C (and CK) potencies (moderate strength potencies) are deeper-acting and may take longer to start noticing a difference, but also often are more effective when symptoms are severe.
M and higher potencies are for constitutional prescribing - they are the deepest acting, take the longest to affect change, but is usually curative permanently.
I'd try for a low C potency, such as 6C or 30C. If all you can find is an X potency (such as 6X or 12X), that's fine - just keep in mind that you may need to take it more frequently than a C potency.
I've studied basic homeopathy for first aid and have used many homeopathic remedies myself and with my family since 1984...we've found homeopathy to be quite effective for many common things (colds/flu, minor injuries, etc.).
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Carol in PA
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Tammy, you said you injured your finger about five days ago?
First aid measures for an injury like a contusion or a sprain would be to ice it for the first day, and after that treat it with heat.
If you do the warm soaks a couple times, you should be able to notice an improvement in symptoms.
It's possible that you hit a nerve or a tendon when you stuck yourself with the needle. The needles are so thin, they usually do no lasting damage.
If I could examine you in person, I would evaluate the appearance of the finger, and ask when the pain began. Immediately after the needle stick? Or the next day? Is the pain getting worse each day? Staying the same? Improving a bit each day?
After you have done warm soaks a couple times, I would want to know if the appearance of the finger has changed at all, and if the pain has improved.
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Tammy N.
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Thanks everyone for your input.
Carol - interesting questions you raised. The pain seems worse now. Here is a summary: First day, was sore at point of entry and mildly bruised. Second day, bruising was gone. Subsequent days, the pad (finger print area) is mildly numb. And I notice my finger is becoming more and more sore to the touch at the opposite side of entry (I guess this is where the needle reached the furthest and probably hit a nerve.)
It is NOT sore while just sitting and not using it. It's funny how you don't realize how much you use certain parts of your fingers. I seem to keep re-hurting the area every time I pick up a cup, use a utensil, etc. I need to baby it more (which I have not been doing). I don't want permanent damage. A little scary.
Thanks again, Tammy
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Carol in PA
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Hmmm, if the pain is increasing, it sounds like something is brewing in there. I wonder if you hit the bone with the needle. If you had bleeding there, warm soaks would help a pocket of blood to reabsorb.
If you are developing an abcess, treating with warm soaks can help it to resolve. The increased bloodflow brings more white blood cells and nutrients to help the immune system fight infection.
I hope you can find time in your schedule for this. It's a very simple treatment but I have seen it work wonders.
Carol
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Tammy N.
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Carol, I appreciate your thoughts. I'm preparing a warm soak now. Should I add epsom salts?
I wonder if something is brewing. Or if it completely agitated from being used normally, which kept aggravating the area over and over. I think (and hope) this is the case.
I just sent you a PM. If it's not too much trouble, would you mind giving me a quick ring?
Appreciate all of your thoughts. Thanks. Tammy
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chiquita incognita
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Hi Tammy Alongside, you might consider as disinfectants...
Echinacea, goldenseal, olive leaf and lots of vitamin C internally.
The Wellness Formula by Source Naturals could be helpful.
Carol what are your thoughts about a vitamin C soak? OR a soak to which you have added a dropperful of echinacea and goldenseal extract?
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Carol in PA
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Tammy, I just came down and saw this now. My days and nights are reversed.
I tried to pm back, but your mailbox is full. I won't be able to call until later.
Chiquita, you know alot more about the herbal stuff than I do. I recommended warm soaks because the HEAT helps the affected area.
It really would be best to examine the hand, palpate the finger, see if stretching and moving it affects the pain. If a day or two of warm soaks does not have positive influence on it, then it may be time to consider other options.
Where I worked before, I treated all kinds of injuries. A more experienced nurse showed me about warm soaks, and it was amazing how well they worked.
Actually, LED light therapy would probably work better.
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Tammy N.
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Hi Carol - I did 3 soaks today. I've noticed a little improvement. I've also been babying my finger all day. I created a little splint with a wooden stirer and wrapped a few fabric band-aids around my finger. It's been a constant reminder all day to keep my finger away from being pressed against anything. In the last few days I must have pressed against that painful spot a thousand times. No wonder it was feeling worse as the days went by. I aggravated the hell out of it. I hope no lasting damage will remain. Nerve pain/injuries are upsetting to me.
The good news is that there was some improvement today. But I want it TOTALLY healed.
Thanks for your helpful suggestions, Tammy
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Carol in PA
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Okay, if you are seeing some improvement with the soaks,then you should keep on doing that. Once you get it going in the right direction, it may finish healing without more drastic intervention. Yay, you splinted it.
I don't think that bumping it was what made it get worse. Have you had redness or swelling? If there was inflammation or a buildup of pressure due to an abscess or infection, that would be enough to make it hurt whenever you touched it.
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chiquita incognita
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Carol, please know how helpful and informative your advice is. I am learning from you as I read this, and I really thank you! this is cool, for all of us.
I was not suggesting the herbs instead of the warm soaks. Perhaps, added to them, as disinfectants. FYI echinacea stimulates T cell and phagocytic action, so it brings healing immune cells to the area, Tammy. Also the alkaloid berberine in the goldenseal is anti-viral and anti-bacterial.
Thank you again! I hope you feel much better soon, Tammy! Please know that this can't go away overnight. Be patient. You will heal.
Tammy N.
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Thank you Carol. No redness or swelling at all. I will continue with soaks.
The only thing is if I press against the area there is nerve pain. I hope that begins to subside.
Thanks also Chiquita for your encouragement.
I guess I need to be patient (not my strong suit.)
Thanks, Tammy
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MichaelTampa
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Sorry, no advice, but, a little funny, passing by thinking of the old doctor joke (stop stabbing yourself), but finally read this today ... this is similar to what I did a few months ago.
I was giving beneath-the-skin injections of water to our very old cat, and one time, trying to pull the needle off the tube, it reflexed back and stabbed my hand or finger (don't remember). Wasn't anything lingering like you've had hear, but very spooky to have lyme with bartonella and then stab myself with a dirty cat needle!
Hope things continue to get better for you!
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Carol in PA
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Tammy, Just came downstairs, and checked this again.
No redness or pain? Very good! It hurts when you press on it? Okay, follow Michael's advice!
It looks like whatever is going on in that finger has stopped getting worse. It may continue to improve even without doing more warm soaks, but the heat would increase the blood circulation and oxygen and nutrients to speed healing.
Is it still bothering you when you bump it?
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Tammy N.
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Michael - I would have been spooked too. Thank goodness no one elses blood was involved with my poke. (Yikes.) And thanks for the good advice - no more stabbing for me.
Carol - Yes, still bothers me very much when the area gets pressed (like with regular use). I have been keeping it bandaged and splinted for the last 2 days. I only remove when soaking. I just did my second soak today and will do one more before bed.
I can move my finger with no pain or discomfort whatsoever. Just notice a mild numbness on the pad. It's when I use the finger and the area gets pressed that I get a good zing. I am trying not to worry about nerve damage. This does have me a little scared. Can nerves like this heal?
Also, all of my finger have been cool lately (slow circulation or thyroid, who knows??). I realize this is not ideal for healing. The warm soaks were a very good idea.
Thank you Carol for checking in. The support is a comfort to me.
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Carol in PA
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If your hands are cold, that means that not as much blood is flowing through, which makes healing more difficult.
Blood has the stuff the cells need to heal. Which is why warm soaks and hot compresses do so much good.
Bandaging and splinting are only for your comfort at this point, to help prevent pain. If you get a zing when you press on one spot, there must be something pressing on the nerve.
I don't think a doctor is going to get too excited about it, as the finger looks okay, no obvious infection. It's possible that this will take some time to resolve.
I know that sometimes a nerve will get a growth of some kind on it, causing problems. For example, you can get a neuroma on the foot.
If continued warm soaks do not increase the circulation enough to heal it, you may want to look into LED light therapy.
Carol
p.s. Editing to add, of course you can make an appointment at any time to have this evaluated by your doctor. If it were me or someone in my family, I probably wouldn't yet, if the condition continues to improve.
[ 03-11-2011, 05:35 AM: Message edited by: Carol in PA ]
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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I know this thread was posted a long time ago, however I'm now in the same situation. I stabbed my finger with a needle last week and now have painful tingling when I touch the area, and slight numbness in the tip.
Just wondered Tammy if your finger healed ok? And did anything work for you? X
-------------------- Leah Posts: 1 | From UK | Registered: May 2017
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So bizarre to read this as I get the same thing. I got a splinter putting a log in the fireplace this winter, pulled it all out easily, it was small, and my finger hurt badly for 2 weeks if that spot was pressed on.
I kept checking to see if more of the splinter was still in there but it wasn't . This has happened other times too.
I think inflammation kicks right up and takes a while to ebate in injuries with Lyme.
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