Sliced open finger two days before gig...

**Lazarus.Bird** · #1 04-01-2011, 04:01 PM

Wasn't sure what forum to put this in so I put it where a lot of the callus threads pop up. Yesterday at work I accidentally got myself on the pad of my left index finger pretty good with a razor blade about an inch long and fairly deep. I've been using neosporin and bandaids during the day and letting it air with no bandaid at night.

It had been feeling pretty good so I just tried playing bass for the first time and I must have fretted right along the cut because I got a sharp pain and it started to bleed like a mofo. I have a gig tomorrow and am not sure what I'm going to do yet. Anyone have any suggestions? Should I pick up some new skin and try that? Should I put some super glue on it tomorrow and try to make it through the show with the super glue? By tomorrow the pain probably won't be too terrible but I don't want to bleed all over the place...

D.A.R.K. · #2 04-01-2011, 04:07 PM

nuskin peels off...
they do make a glue, like super glue, that works great.
it was used on my head when i got clocked with a piece of truss
and had a 3" long bone deep cut.
i'd use something like that, and then a bandaid, then wrap that with gaff. then try to lay off that finger.
look at it as a challenge, you'll have to change things up...

dhsierra1 · #3 04-01-2011, 04:10 PM

could you define "fairly deep"? I'd be very careful if that cut's more than a couple of millimeters deep and you're going to play w/in 48 hours of slicing that finger open, that's an important one. You could wind up ruining nerve endings there as well as create scar tissue you don't want

Stereo Joe · #4 04-01-2011, 04:17 PM

A month ago I sliced open the tip of my left middle finger in a similar spot. I got three stitches and had to do a bunch of gigging over the next couple days and weeks.

Basically, I had to play without using that finger at all and I would recommend you try the same to give your finger the best chance to heal. It was awkward at first, but worked much better than I would have thought.

dhsierra1 · #5 04-01-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Joe

A month ago I sliced open the tip of my left middle finger in a similar spot. I got three stitches and had to do a bunch of gigging over the next couple days and weeks.

Basically, I had to play without using that finger at all and I would recommend you try the same to give your finger the best chance to heal. It was awkward at first, but worked much better than I would have thought.

This is very good advice. Butterfly tape the cut, superglue the surface then small gauze pad and good quality tape over that entire tip. And stay off it for the evening, it will be challenging but you will be happier in the long run. FWIW, my day job is tissue adhesive research, including plastic reconstructive surgery applications, would like to see you keep your finger in good shape and your bass playing happening.

dhsierra1 · #6 04-01-2011, 04:30 PM

oh yeah, make sure the glue's dry before you put on the gauze, that's just there in case you start bleeding. And make sure the edges of the cut line up and are tight w/that butterfly tape, you want to make sure you minimize any scarring. Regular old superglue from the hardware store works fine, btw, or if you can find the veterinary stuff that's good too.

Billnc · #7 04-01-2011, 04:32 PM

Been there myself. I avoided using the finger and got through the gig ok. It was a blues gig though. Probably made my playing more authentic.
Good luck, the long term health of the finger is most important.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #8 04-01-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhsierra1

This is very good advice. Butterfly tape the cut, superglue the surface then small gauze pad and good quality tape over that entire tip. And stay off it for the evening, it will be challenging but you will be happier in the long run. FWIW, my day job is tissue adhesive research, including plastic reconstructive surgery applications, would like to see you keep your finger in good shape and your bass playing happening.

Can I get butterfly tape at a place like CVS? Had to google that as I'm not familiar with it. The cut isn't too deep, I'm just looking for a way to play on it tomorrow and then I'm sure it will heal on it's own. Thanks for the advice everyone.

dhsierra1 · #9 04-01-2011, 05:20 PM

Yes, they should. Comes in different sizes so it's just a matter of finding the correct size for your finger.

Unless the gig had Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald resurrected from the dead and they asked you to play tomorrow, I'd really stay off that finger, honestly

I know it's tempting but as you've heard from a few others here who've gone through something similar......

**Mulebagger** · #10 04-01-2011, 05:30 PM

maybe just use the other three and shift positions a bunch, but seal it up well. I had a sheetrock knife blade buried in a finger tip and super glued it then wrapped it before a gig two days later. best to seek medical advise for injuries and bass advise from bassists.
good luck

BigGuns · #11 04-01-2011, 05:37 PM

i sliced open my fingertip on a broken piece of fake wood veneer (over particle board) and then had to play a couple rehearsal and a gig. It wasn't much fun, but I first put two bandaids, then wrapped it really tightly with duct tape, and It worked ok. Every time I played, the wound opened back up and bled, but I managed. I simply can't play my parts unless I use the fingering I'm used to.

ProgRocker · #12 04-01-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhsierra1

Yes, they should. Comes in different sizes so it's just a matter of finding the correct size for your finger.

Unless the gig had Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald resurrected from the dead and they asked you to play tomorrow, I'd really stay off that finger, honestly

I know it's tempting but as you've heard from a few others here who've gone through something similar......

Agreed. I sliced the top of my left index finger (from just above the fingernail) and needed three stiches to close it. I sliced it on a dumpster of all things... when I told the triage nurse she asked "Couldn't you have picked something cleaner". Geez, it's not like I did it on purpose. Anyway, I babied that finger till the stiches came out (till it was pritty well healed).

I had asked about nerve damage since the cut was quite deep (I could see capularies, or the next smaller vessel after vein), the ER doc told me that nerves run along the sides of the finger, so the fact my cut was on top meant I was safe (whew!).

I agree with the consensus here, stay off that finger till it's healed, and make sure to keep it clean (the last thing you want is an infection in your hand).

Stilettoprefer · #13 04-01-2011, 11:31 PM

I got a cut on the pointer finger of my right hand the day before a gig. I wrapped it in duct tape. It hurt like you wouldn't believe, but I was able to play with it and I didn't bleed all over my basses.

KTFunkAlive · #14 04-02-2011, 12:08 AM

Call a sub. seriously one inch?

PhiDeck · #15 04-02-2011, 12:16 AM

Play Jamerson style, but with your middle finger.

JSK5String · #16 04-02-2011, 12:17 AM

About 20 years ago (pre-kids) I broke the ring finger on my left hand when we were booked every weekend. Remember, this was pre-kids, now that we're old, we're good with once a month! Back to the point, I had it in a splint and would get a searing pain up my arm every time I applied any pressure to the finger tip. I had to gig with three fingers until it healed. So, it can be done, if you pay attention to what you're doing. I'll tell you one thing, It made my pinky a lot better...

Take the advice, stay off it until it's healed. You'll be happier in the long run...

TOOL460002 · #17 04-02-2011, 01:14 AM

maybe a band aid with a layer of electrical tape over it? thats a tough one to work around; sorry that happened man.

James Judson · #18 04-02-2011, 01:23 AM

I did the same thing on the way to a gig. Middle of the gig I saw the bandage "fly" off and blood got everywhere. No lasting effects so I say buck up and go play your gigs.

Russell L · #19 04-02-2011, 09:32 PM

Sliced open my pinky on my fretting hand back in my guitar-gigging days, WAY deep, across the tip. Had a gig a few days later. The solution was simple...

Don't play with that finger.

Ran the tip of my middle finger across some planer blades by accident. Took off half my callous. Same solution...

Don't play with that finger until it healed.

Don't mess up your finger.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #20 04-02-2011, 11:51 PM

I appreciate everyone's concern but if there was a chance of permanent damage I would have went to the hospital as I am lucky enough to have health insurance through work.

Did the butterfly tape + super glue + adhesive medical tape trick and it worked like a charm. Hit the finger wrong once or twice and got some sharp pain but overall it was pretty painless and it didn't break open. Thanks for the help, internetz!