A member asked:

For centuries children and adults did ok treating puncture wound of the finger with home remedies. why can't i?

7 doctors weighed in across 4 answers

Old ways best?: You might do just fine treating yourself but sometimes people don't which is why we now have doctors. Centuries ago many people died of preventable things such as infections from puncture wounds or tetanus. I'm not saying every wound has to be seen by a doctor but if you have serious medical issues or it is complicated (i.e. Dirty, numb or excessively bleeding) or tetanus prone, then see md!

Answered 7/17/2016

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Dr. Robert Alexander answered

Specializes in Plastic Surgery

Your decision: That is a decision that you must make. In most cases, well thought out cleaning and wound care may work. On occasion however, surgical care is mandatory, and not seeking medical advice may be a big mistake. To be safe, i would recommend seeking medical care to make certain you are not in the group with major complications leading to major problems.

Answered 9/28/2016

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For Patients sufferi: For patients suferring from coditions such as lymphedema, puncture wounds can be a source if infection culminating in cellulitis of the upper extremity requiring hospitalization. Hence, questionable puncture wounds need to be evaluated by the physician.

Answered 7/20/2012

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Dr. Steven Harris answered

Specializes in Plastic Surgery

Not true!: For centuries some "children and adults did ok…". The rest died horrible deaths of tetanus or lost limbs to terrible infections. As long as you are comfortable not using hundreds of years of progress to improve your odds of a good outcome, there is no reason not to use the same remedies they used. Understand, though, that they would have given anything to have better tools!

Answered 2/1/2013

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