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Jeff Layman[_2_] · 31-01-2011, 09:57 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 30/01/2011 22:15, wrote:
I pinched out what I later assumed was a rose thorn from my finger earlier
today. It appears to be going yellow and lumpy. :-(

Nick suggested I iodine it - anyone any experience in un-infecting rose
thorn injuries?

(I'm /assuming/ it was a rose thorn, given I chopped down all my garden
roses yesterday, and one is particularly snaggley, but it could possibly
have been something else)

The "modern" form of iodine is Povidone Iodine. I always took some on
holidays to exotic countries as it is active against bacteria, fungi,
and viruses. Very effective but still stings like hell!

Now to your finger. Be very careful and keep a close eye on it.
Believe it or not, but an infected finger is considered to be a medical
emergency, as to keep the infection in check the body tries to isolate
the finger. A couple of years ago in the afternoon I noticed the end of
my index finger swelling although there was no visible sign of injury (I
had done some gardening earlier in the day). It was painful, throbbing,
and very red and warm. Within a couple of hours the swelling was down
to the first joint. Another 4 hours and it was down to the second
joint. I could not bend the finger at all as the swelling had made the
skin so tight. When the swelling started to go below the finger, at
1030 at night I drove to the hospital A&E, where I was given an
injection of penicillin and some very powerful antibiotic tablets for a
week. Fortunately, after another 48 hours the swelling started to
subside, but it was an uncomfortable couple of days.

So don't think it's "just a finger"!

--

Jeff