Picking finger blisters?

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:58 am

4 1/2 hour rehearsal yesterday, and I stupidly kept my volume down so I plucked too hard. Almost a blooden-backer - a very larger blister on my middle fingertip.

On my wifes advice I put on some neosporin and a band aid last night, and this morning while sore it seems to have gone down in size.

Am I out of action for a couple of days, or should I lance it with a clean needle and try to keep it clean after? Never had this happen...frankly I'm a little embarassed...

Luckily I had a pick with me, although it was not comfortable even holding that while I played the last 45 minutes.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:03 am

I'm sure someone will post a pic of Brian's 4003....

Anyway, when that used to happen to me, I'd just play thru it. No bandaids. If the strings ripped them open, play thru the pain anyway. They get calloused within a couple weeks. The harder the 'abuse' the stronger the callous. The tips of my fingers are now permanently calloused.

ghs_boomer · Post by **ghs_boomer** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:06 am

I had that problem many years ago when i was in a band. I use my middle and ring fingers to pluck with (never could use my pointer finger) and i have gotten blisters on both. I lanced them and put on band-aids and kept playing till the skin developed callous's.

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:09 am

I was thinking of Brian's 4003...

Guess I'll have to tough it out, but I really don't want the pain/blood. Got a gig next Saturday, and I'm sure outside with the PA I'll be able to put the volume up. In the guitarists living room there is sometime "sonic pressure" not to play too loud.

Also somewhat related to the injury my cat gave me, although that was my index finger. It did, however, interrupt my practicing a bit, and I think made my fingertips go a little soft.

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 5:59 am

Lance that sucker... and then keep it as dry as possible (no dishes) as it heals... but if it is large you will probably lose the skin.

That is one of the reasons I like to use three fingers when I play. If one goes under I still have two left.

Also, I mostly play rotos, but I put ernie ball super slinkies on my jazz and boy did they ever shread my fingers.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:09 am

It will open in a day or two, I would leave it alone and it should be all gone by Saturday unless it's the size of a basketball.
If your fingertips are hurting it's time to stop playing or switch to a pick. A blister is natures' way of telling us we overdid it. If you open it before it's ready it will really hurt and may heal more slowly.
Nurse Bob. My prescription: Play more often.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:58 am

One of the reasons I play with a pick 90% of the time. I once played an outdoor festival when I was 21. It was sooooo cold, and I wound up with blood blisters on both hands. Not a night to remember.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:10 am

medic!

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:17 am

. . . . he's dead Jim.

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:54 am

Roughly circular, about 8mm in diameter...hurts pretty good, but looks like the skin is not ripping. Have not lanced it, did my routine Sunday cleaning (couple bird cages, a cat's litter box...), will probably do dishes later.

I'll refrain from trying the bass until tomorrow, which is too bad since I had the time today and would have been psyched to practice.

Live and learn. Might try to play a little more pick, or just tell the guitards I have to play louder!

jmh · Post by **jmh** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:22 am

I thought I read that some people use crazy glue on blisters. I could be wrong...

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:24 am

It'll probably come to that!

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 1:21 pm

In one of the Chili Peppers videos Flea is pouring Crazy Glue into a hole in his fingers. Surgeons use it in certain operations.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:16 pm

Krazy Glue will hold ANYTHING. I do a lot of miniatures and models and man, if I can't get something to stick, out comes the Krazy Glue . . . of course, I invariably get a tiny bit on my fingers which I only notice after my thumb and index finger are fused together.

raj · Post by **raj** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:33 pm

Yup, Krazy Glue works fine. I wait for the blister to break before I would use it. it has been a long time since I have had to do it.

As an aside but actually related...My son just put a gash in his chin a few months ago. I think the medical skin adhesive is called Dermabond. It had a bit of a purple tint to it. I asked the doctor and he said it is almost identical to Krazy Glue. Much, much better than stitches.