Q: I was stupid enough to attempt to rip out a hang nail insteat of cutting it, and ow it's infected. This morning I woke up, and white gunk came out of it when I squeezed it. It's really tender, and sore. I don't have ant peroxide in the house. What home remedies can I use to fix it?
A: Try soaking your fingertip in a mixture of warm water and iodine/betadyne (if you have any) or just use the warmth. Heat increases the blood flow to the area to help with the healing process. I know that it hurts to squeeze it but if you keep squeezing you will help to keep the area open to get the pus (white gunk) out. There isn't much room in a finger for pus so as it accumulates it hurts and it spreads to surrounding good tissue. Getting it out of there will help the healing process. Do this a few times a day, or more. After soaking and squeezing you could dress it with a band aid and some antibiotic ointment (if you have any) otherwise just keep a loose band aid over it. If it gets worse you might have to see a doc so try and stay on top of the infection. Going to the store and getting a bottle of betadyne to mix with the warm water will be cheaper than going to the doctor.