Hi again, My left middle finger is swollen. Should I dip it in hot Epsom salt water to reduce the swelling?

Yesterday, the doctor punched holes my finger to drain the puss. He also gave me trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 2x a day. I was shouting at the top of my lungs in dire pain.I think my doctor is a sadist because he enjoyed seeing me in pain. The finger is getting swollen again. Should I dip my finger in Epson salt for a while to reduced the swelling or what?

Please help becuase I have the AIDS virus.

Ok, should I dip my finger in cold epsom salt water?

NO YOU SHOULD ICE IT DOWN, HOT WILL MAKE IT SWELL MORE AND KEEP IT ELEVATED

NOOO!!!!!
never dip swelling in something hot
ALWAYS COLD
hot will make it swell more

you should dip it in medium water. not cold and not hot. just...lukewarm. also you might call the doctor's office to see if you can get a nurse to tell you what else you can do without having to actually go in to the doctor.

If needed put neosporen or antibiodic cream on it. Till then I think you should dip it in warm not hot Epsom salt water. it will calm and thooth it. But I highly recomend you should have a doctor look at it agian.

Let me clarify: For immediate injuries; use cold for the first 36 or so hours. This is to minimize swelling from bleeding in an acute injury. Heat causes blood flow to increase to an area--another reason you want cold at first to minimize swelling as well.

In an INFECTION (as you have) however, you want blood flow to increase so infection fighting white cells are brought sooner, and the infection is drawn out. So yes, infectons need hot compresses, soaks etc. (though not sop hot as to burn you). Epsom salts is very good for this. Put your finger in a cup and soak until it is cool (about 20 minutes). Do this 3-4 times a day at least. If the swelling is increasing however you need it drained again (ugh, sorry--have the doctor use a topical anaesthetic)

NO. cold/ice water

dont dip it in anything hot just in cold stuff ok