So I cut my left hand up something dramatic while working with a tree-trimmer. A stupid accident, but aren't they all? Finger mobility is fine, nerves appear to be fine, just a neat gash on the index finger and a spectacular one on the middle.

Let me stipulate that our health insurance is junk. Worse than junk. Our insurer appears to spend most of their time figuring out new and creative ways to deny claims or stick you with a crazy bill. So we pretty much act as though we had no insurance, since that's the practical effect. For instance, when my son had breathing problems, we got stuck with a multi-thousand dollar bill, even though every procedure was supposedly covered. (If you really want to know how they pulled that I will explain, but it's long and tedious, and the upshot is that when you play poker with an opponent who can declare what any card is worth as the game is played, you lose.)

I only bring this up so you will understand why I am reluctant to go to the doctor. If I can avoid spending several hundred dollars, I'd like to skip it.

So. As an old ex-lifeguard, I have all of my first aid and CPR training, and it isn't completely gone. I cleaned and dressed both wounds, smearing plenty of Neosporin in each gash.

Both fingers appear to be healing just fine, but on the middle one there are two strips of white (dead?) flesh, about 4 mm in width, on both sides of the wound. What I cannot remember is whether you should trim dead flesh or wait it out. The Neosporin and twice-daily dressing changes are doing wonders, but I cannot for the life of me remember what you're supposed to do with a small amount of potentially necrotic tissue.

Advice appreciated.