From the Research
If your cut on your middle finger from a plastic hook is still painful after two weeks, you should seek medical attention promptly to rule out any potential complications such as infection or retained foreign body. The provided evidence does not directly address the management of a cut from a plastic hook, but general principles of wound care can be applied. To manage the wound, you should clean it thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, and cover it with a clean bandage, changing the bandage daily 1, 2, 3, 4. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (200-400mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) can be taken as needed for pain. It is essential to watch for signs of infection, including increased redness, swelling, warmth, pus, red streaking from the wound, or fever. Pain that persists for two weeks could indicate an infection or that a foreign body remains in the wound, and a healthcare provider can properly clean the wound, check for foreign material, and prescribe antibiotics if necessary. A study on the time taken to seek and receive medical attention after a transient ischemic attack highlights the importance of seeking medical attention urgently for suspected conditions 5. However, this study is not directly relevant to the management of a cut from a plastic hook. Given the potential for complications, it is crucial to prioritize seeking medical attention over self-management to ensure the best outcome in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. The most recent and highest quality study provided is from 2022, but it focuses on antibiotic dosing in children and does not directly address the management of a cut from a plastic hook 1. Therefore, the recommendation to seek medical attention promptly is based on general principles of wound care and the potential for complications.