Feeling like a genius... what did I do to knuckle? (pain, swollen)

[jtjmom]

Hi, all!

I usually post in the parenting forum, but I'd like your opinions.

I was mowing my yard this afternoon, and while trying to round a tree with low branches, I caught my knuckle with a branch and (I think) cut it. Could've been a splinter, who knows? I remember thinking when I did it that it sure did smart... It bled for a minute, and I went on with my life (and my mowing).

An hour or so later, I noticed some bruising (I think), and again, thought nothing of it. Now, 8 hours after the fact, it's noticably swollen, and doesn't seem to be moving well. There's not really much pain, more like just a little discomfort. It's also not warm to the touch or discolored now... It's just puffy and feels weird!

I guess my question is what should I be watching for, and when do I go to the doctor? I'm not a big fan of docs in general, and I really don't want to go in and have them look at it and say "Where's the problem?"

Any suggestions/ideas/comments aould be appreciated, even if it's just a !

Thanks!

~D

[Huckleberry3911948]

you used the word doctor while you were typing on CDF, this is definitely genius behavior.

[jtjmom]

See? I am a GENIUS!

[bellalunatic]

Well, did you get a chance to soak it for a bit in some warm water? If it is a splinter hiding in there somewhere that'd probably help it work it's way out, as well as feel pretty good I'd bet.
Did you slather it with neosporin? That's usually my first reaction when I pull similar 'genius' moves.

[jtjmom]

I did clean it out really well with peroxide...

I just got up, and there's pain now! I'm going to see if some ice (and an Aleve) help any.

~D