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Question
25 Jan 2006
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Possible Needlestick Injury
Good day,
Please can you help. I recently visited my physiotherapist and on leaving, I felt a kind of a needleprick when I picked up my keys. At that point it never really bothered me until I got home and thought about HIV. I looked at my finger and saw no wound or puncture. I also applied some ice so that I could try to see the puncture, but I couldn't see any (no red spots etc). The next morning, I looked at my finger, I noticed a white spot with a hole in the centre which was skin peeling off. Could this be because I used alot of ice on my finger. Please can you describe a needlestick puncture and if I should worry about this. I also know that he does alot of accupuncture. Is it true that if one uses alot of ice on your finger it can make the skin soggy and form this white 'bubble'.
Many, many thanks.
Please can you help. I recently visited my physiotherapist and on leaving, I felt a kind of a needleprick when I picked up my keys. At that point it never really bothered me until I got home and thought about HIV. I looked at my finger and saw no wound or puncture. I also applied some ice so that I could try to see the puncture, but I couldn't see any (no red spots etc). The next morning, I looked at my finger, I noticed a white spot with a hole in the centre which was skin peeling off. Could this be because I used alot of ice on my finger. Please can you describe a needlestick puncture and if I should worry about this. I also know that he does alot of accupuncture. Is it true that if one uses alot of ice on your finger it can make the skin soggy and form this white 'bubble'.
Many, many thanks.
Hi Worried!
I do suspect that ice can have the effect you describe on the skin and would therefor explain what you saw. You can always ask Cyberdoc for confirmation.
As far as HIV is concerned, it seems that the risk is really low, since even if there was a needle that pricked you, it would have been exposed to air for long enough to kill the virus. Nevertheless, being sure of your status is important, so this may well be the opportunity for you to get tested for your own piece of mind.
Stay well
Laurent
I do suspect that ice can have the effect you describe on the skin and would therefor explain what you saw. You can always ask Cyberdoc for confirmation.
As far as HIV is concerned, it seems that the risk is really low, since even if there was a needle that pricked you, it would have been exposed to air for long enough to kill the virus. Nevertheless, being sure of your status is important, so this may well be the opportunity for you to get tested for your own piece of mind.
Stay well
Laurent
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