High on Water
I can at least attest to the fact that it doesn't hurt to do it. I dropped a jug on my toe years ago. The pain was so awful (I had no access to home remedies back in those days) that I was too scared to go to the doctor for lancing.
But, the pain GOT so much worse I ended up having to do
something! He "burned" (laser?) a hole through the nail. There was so much pressure there, I didn't even FEEL that! The relief was unbelievably swift. He squeezed the excess fluids out, taped it up, and I was wishing I'd gone to him MUCH sooner.
I'm not necessarily advocating going to the doctor just yet, just that in case you DO have to go - you don't have to fear
more pain.
Hubby said to heat a needle til it glows red, then by twisting it you can "drill" a hole through your nail (he did this with his thumb) and you won't even feel it. Then sqeeze fluids out just til the blood shows, then wrap it up. (He used Crazy Glue...sigh...I don't know if I'd advocate THAT, but air [on the nerve tissue?] is what causes the pain (he said).
Anyway, that worked for him. He said he used a match to heat the needle. I do remember that now...and whereas I don't necessarily advocate that, I can attest that his thumb did NOT get infected...and he's a diabetic!