These symptoms suggest the cut may have developed a mild infection. Please have her gently wash the area with warm water and mild soap, pat it dry, and resume applying the povidone-iodine (Betadine) ointment before covering it with a clean bandage. Keeping her hand elevated can also help reduce the swelling. Since infections can progress, it is highly recommended to have a healthcare provider examine her thumb to see if oral antibiotics are necessary, especially if she develops a fever or the redness spreads.
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What should we do if my wife's cut thumb is now swollen and painful after she did not regularly apply the recommended Betadine ointment?