what treatment for mashed finger tip that is blue and swollen.

Wrap an ice pack or cold compress in a paper towel and place it on the injured finger. Keep the ice on it for 10-minute intervals with 20-minute breaks for the first few hours after you smash your finger. Ice helps to minimize swelling, bleeding, and pain.

Full Answer

What is the best way to treat a swollen finger?

An ice pack can quickly reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice for 15 minutes at a time, a couple of times an hour for the first few hours. Don't ice the finger for more than 15 minutes or you may get frostbite. 2

How do you treat frostbite on your fingers?

An ice pack or a cold compress can help reduce swelling and help with pain management. Have the ice pack on the finger for 15 minutes at a time before taking it off. Repeat the process after a few minutes have passed. Intervals like this help prevent frostbite.

What can I do about a smashed finger that hurts?

The throbbing pain of a smashed finger is highly unpleasant, to say the least. © Verywell, 2017. Assuming you've extricated the finger (this would be step one), there are a few things you can do to alleviate your excruciating pain. Ice it. Use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.

Can ibuprofen be used to reduce finger swelling?

Medical treatment Steroids can be used to treat swelling caused by autoimmune disorders. They suppress the immune system and stop your body from attacking itself. Over-the-counter non-steroid anti-inflammatory (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, can be used to treat fingertip swelling.

What to do when you smash your finger and it turns blue?

Rest, ice, elevation, and the use of OTC pain and anti-inflammatory medications are generally the best way to get immediate and long-term relief from this injury. Seek medical attention for injuries that involve the joints, have noticeable abnormalities or breaks, cause severe pain, or don't respond to basic treatment.

How do you reduce inflammation in a smashed finger?

Apply an ice pack to decrease swelling. Be sure to wrap the pack in a clean cloth first to prevent cold injury to the skin. Over-the-counter pain medicines may help relieve discomfort. If pain becomes severe, with blood under the fingernail, call your provider.

How long does it take for a swollen finger to go down after being smashed?

The fingertip will usually stay a little bit swollen permanently, but it should not interfere with function. It will take longer than you think is reasonable, about six to twelve months, for the swelling to go down as much as it will.

Should I go to the doctor if I smashed my finger?

Unless your doctor says otherwise, never splint or wrap a smashed finger as this can impede blood flow. While most smashed fingers don't require a doctor's visit, you should do so if there are signs of an infection or a severe injury.

Can a jammed finger turn black and blue?

If it's a broken or fractured finger: If the finger is fractured, the swelling will last for days. In addition, it may extend to parts of the hand surrounding the finger. The area will also bruise, giving the finger a bluish or purple hue. The finger may also look slightly deformed or out of place.

How do I know if my finger is broken or just bruised?

A bruised finger can sometimes be just a painful as a fractured or broken finger. However, unlike a broken finger, there is no bone break or fracture. The impact it the injured finger causes bleeding under the skin....Symptoms of a bruised finger include:Pain.Stiffness.Swelling.Discoloration.Loss of finger mobility.

How do you know if a finger injury is serious?

Always seek medical care if the following occur:If there is severe pain or deformity.If there is uncontrolled bleeding.If there is numbness (loss of sensation)If the finger is pale or bluish in color.If there are exposed bones or tendons.

Can a smashed finger cause a blood clot?

A blood clot can form after a trauma to the finger damages blood vessels or breaks a bone. Examples include: a heavy object falling on the fingers, like when you accidentally hit your finger with a hammer. a crush injury, such as when you get your finger caught in a car door.

How to get rid of a swollen finger?

Wash the finger thoroughly. You do not want to develop an infection in the tip of your finger. Open the paper clip so that you have a straight edge. Holding the paperclip with the pliers, heat the tip in the flame until it is red-hot.

How to get blood out of fingernail?

Steps to Relieve a Blood Under the Nail 1 Wash the finger thoroughly. You do not want to develop an infection in the tip of your finger. 2 Open the paper clip so that you have a straight edge. 3 Holding the paperclip with the pliers, heat the tip in the flame until it is red-hot. 4 Carefully touch the red-hot tip of the paperclip to the area of the nail where most of the blood is collected (usually the darkest spot on the nail) and put just a little pressure on it. Keep it there until the paperclip burns through the nail. Don't push hard; just let the heat do the work.

What happens if your fingernail falls off?

Signs of infection. If your fingernail falls off, don't panic. It's not ideal, but chances are very good it will grow back without a problem. While it doesn't necessarily mean you should see a doctor, a missing fingernail is at least worth a call to the office.

How long does it take for a fingernail to hurt?

Depending on the extent of the injury, your finger may hurt for a few days or a few weeks. It may also be sensitive for up to a few months. 6 Draining the blood from the fingernail may help to relieve some of the pain and pressure, but only do this under a doctor's instruction. If the pain is severe or getting worse, check with your doctor.

How to stop a finger from spraining?

Don't keep ice on too long or you can develop frostbite. 1 . Elevate it. 2  Letting your hand dangle at your side after smashing your finger will simply increase swelling and that uncomfortable throbbing. Hold it up to reduce the pressure in ...

What to do if you can't move your finger?

If you can't move your finger or if you can't feel it after a few minutes (you have to give the throbbing time to go away), then you should visit the doctor. Take a pain reliever. Over-the-counter painkillers can help relieve the constant reminder that you didn't move quick enough. 3 .

How to get a finger out of a sprained finger?

Assuming you've extricated the finger (this would be step one), there are a few things you can do to alleviate your excruciating pain. Ice it. Use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling. Keep the ice on it for 15 minutes a couple of times an hour for the first few hours after smashing it.

What causes swelling in the fingers and toes?

The autoimmune disease that most commonly causes fingertip swelling is arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis causes joints to swell and stiffen. It also causes pain, warmth, and redness in the joints. It often starts in small joints, such as those in the fingers and toes.

What to put on a swollen ear?

Fish, leafy greens, green tea, and dark chocolate are all great choices. You can also use spices like turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, and garlic. Tea tree oil can help reduce swelling. You can mix it with a carrier oil or a moisturizer and apply it to the infected area.

How to get rid of gout pain?

Eating foods with fewer purines can help ease gout symptoms. Epsom salt can help reduce pain and swelling. Soak your swollen fingertip for 15 to 20 minutes in warm or cool water mixed with Epsom salt. If you have an autoimmune condition, eating anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce swelling.

How to reduce swelling after giving birth?

For example, swelling from pregnancy reduces after you give birth. But you can help relieve symptoms with at-home remedies. Lifestyle changes, such as eating food with less salt, can help ease swelling caused by pregnancy. Eating foods with fewer purines can help ease gout symptoms.

Why is it so hard to move my fingers?

Dactylitis. Dactylitis is a type of severe toe and finger joint inflammation. Dactylitis causes swelling and pain, and makes it hard to move your fingers. The most common cause of dactylitis is psoriatic arthritis. Up to half of people with psoriatic arthritis develop it.

What is the best treatment for gout?

Steroids can be used to treat swelling caused by autoimmune disorders. They suppress the immune system and stop your body from attacking itself. Steroids can also be used to treat gout. Over-the-counter non-steroid anti-inflammatory ( NSAID ), such as ibuprofen, can be used to treat fingertip swelling.

What are the most common hand injuries?

Fingertip injuries are the most common type of hand injuries seen in emergency rooms. Common fingertip injuries include fractures and crush injuries. They may also cause bruising under the nail bed or cause your fingernail to tear away from the nail bed.

What to do if you have a smashed finger?

Clean and cover. A smashed finger may result in an open wound, such as a scrape or cut. People should clean the wound immediately when this occurs. They should also cover the wound with a bandage and antibiotic cream if these are available.

How to stop a smashed finger from hurting?

1. Icing. Icing a smashed finger can limit the inflammation. It is crucial to never place ice directly on the skin. Icing should be done for no more than 15 minutes and can be repeated several times a day. A person can place the finger on top of the ice pack to avoid additional pressure. 2.

Why do you need to see a doctor for a smashed finger?

Other reasons to seek medical attention for a smashed finger include: severe swelling for more than 2 days. deep wound. the finger will not bend.

How long does it take for a smashed finger to heal?

Short-term treatments for a smashed finger are for the first couple of days after an injury. These should include a combination of: In most cases, an injured or smashed finger will feel better within a few days of using at-home treatments. It is not uncommon for a bruise to develop as a smashed finger heals.

How to make your finger feel better?

Inflammation causes swelling, which helps to stabilize a bone or joint to reduce the chance of further injury to the area. Treating or reducing the swelling can make the finger feel better. 1. Icing.

What to do if your finger is broken?

Additional signs of a broken finger include: dislocation around the joint. deformity.

What does it mean when your finger is smashed?

A smashed finger is a common injury that occurs when a heavy object or an object with enough force behind it impacts the finger. Common causes include dropping an object on the finger, hitting it with a hammer, or closing a finger in a door. A smashed finger may cause:

How to stop a finger from swollen?

Ice Your Injured Finger. An ice pack or a cold compress can help reduce swelling and help with pain management. Have the ice pack on the finger for 15 minutes at a time before taking it off. Repeat the process after a few minutes have passed. Intervals like this help prevent frostbite.

What to do if blood is under your fingernail?

To do so, you’ll want to speak with a doctor about your issue. Your doctor may provide you with at-home instructions to release the blood trapped under the fingernail.

What happens when you smash your fingertip?

Most smashed/crushed fingertip injuries involve the fingers being pinched or a heavy object falling on the hand. Examples of this include getting a hand caught in a closing door, a large load falling onto a table where you are resting your hand, and getting part of your hand caught in a machine or two objects.

Why is my fingernail turning purple?

After the crushing injury, you’ll likely notice that the fingernail on the injured hand has turned dark or purple. This is due to blood pooling beneath the fingernail, which can be a rather painful type of bruise. If the blood under the nail is painful, you’ll need to let the blood out.

How to treat a slammed finger?

Some slammed fingers can be treated at home with rest and ice, while others require medical treatment and potentially even an antibiotic. It’s impossible to get through life without slamming your finger in the door at least once.

What to do if your finger is broken?

If you suspect your finger is broken, visit a doctor as fast as possible in order to correctly start the healing process. Help!

What does it mean when your finger is jammed?

If your finger is jammed or smashed and as a result no longer straightens out at the tip, this is known as mallet finger or mallet fracture. This indicates that the tendon responsible for extending the finger is stretched out or torn.

What to do if you smash your finger in the door?

Immediately after smashing your finger in the door you should: -Place an ice pack on your finger (s) to help alleviate some of the pain and keep down swelling. -Elevate the injured finger. If you let your finger dangle down by your side you actually increase swelling and worsen painful throbbing.

How do you know if you have a broken finger?

This is not always indicative of a broken finger, but it’s best to have it checked out at urgent care. Exposed bone—if you can actually see the bone sticking out of your skin, it’s a pretty clear sign that it is broken.

Why do my fingernails fall off?

If your nail is bloody, falling off or loose, or you have any other open wounds related to the injury, it’s important to keep it clean and free of infection to prevent further issues. If your bone is sticking out of your finger you should head to the emergency room.

How long does it take for a broken finger to swell?

The rule of thumb is if symptoms persist or become more serious around 5 to 10 minutes after the injury occurs you are possibly looking at a broken bone.

How to stop pain from a toe injury?

With most of these accidents, swelling and bruising of the soft tissues and underlying bones are the only injuries. Soaking the finger or toe in cold water immediately after the trauma can reduce both pain and swelling. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen administered right away can also help prevent some of the pain.

Why does my finger look crooked?

The finger or toe looks crooked. The injury causes immediate damage to the nail, such as a visible crack. The skin is open and may need stitches. There is dirt in the wound you can’t wash out. There is significant or worsening pain, redness, or swelling. Last medical review on: July 02, 2010.

How to stop a swollen finger from hurting?

2. Elevate your hand above your heart. Hold your injured finger up in an elevated position above the level of your heart. Do this continuously to limit pressure. If you keep your hand down at your side, blood will rush to the injury, increasing the swelling and uncomfortable throbbing pain. ...

How to get blood out of a finger?

1. Wash your injured finger thoroughly. A few days after the injury, you may notice some blood under the nail that looks like a dark-colored discoloration (red, maroon, or purple-black). You’ll want to release that blood that forms under the nail to further relieve pain and pressure.

How to pierce a fingernail with a paperclip?

Carefully press the red hot end of the paperclip on the part of the fingernail where most of the blood has collected. Keep it there until the paperclip has burned through the nail. Be careful not to press the paperclip too hard. You want to pierce the nail with the paperclip without burning the skin underneath.

How to clean a fingernail with alcohol?

In addition to washing your finger, you’ll want to use rubbing alcohol to further clean and disinfect the injury. Apply alcohol by pouring a small amount on a cotton ball to clean the surface of the fingernail and then let it dry.

How to disinfect paperclips?

Heat the paperclip with a match or lighter. Holding the paperclip with pliers, use a flame to heat the end that you disinfected. Do this until the end of the paperclip is red hot. This will ensure that the paperclip is hot enough to go through the nail and release the blood.

How to get rid of a cut on the face?

If there is any dirt or debris in the wound, remove it with tweezers cleaned with alcohol. Apply an antibiotic ointment on the wound. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin to the open cut. This will keep the surface of the cut moist and help prevent scarring.

How long does it take for a smashed finger to heal?

After this method is completed, soak the injured finger in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, 3 times a day for 2-3 days. This will ensure that the injury remains clean and infection is prevented. Most smashed fingernails tend to feel better within 3 to 4 days. More severe injuries may take weeks to heal.

What is the name of the treatment for a jammed finger?

Buddy wrapping helps to stabilize the injured finger. There is a useful at-home treatment for jammed fingers known as PRICE. It stands for: P is for protection.

How to treat a red finger?

Resting and avoiding using the hand as much as possible will protect the finger. I is for ice. Applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the injured finger can help reduce inflammation and redness. Keep the ice on the finger for 10–15 minutes at a time.

What causes a finger to jam?

A jammed finger occurs when the tip of a person’s finger presses forcefully against the hand. This action can cause the ligaments in a person’s finger to become overstretched or strained. Any action that puts extra strain on the PIP joint can result in a jammed finger.

What is a jammed finger?

Here’s our process. A jammed finger is a common injury that can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the finger. A jammed finger is most commonly caused by an injury to the joint in the middle of the finger, where it bends in half. This joint is called the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP). Small ligaments called the collateral ligaments ...

What does it mean when your finger is jammed?

A jammed finger is characterized by swelling and stiffness. A jammed finger causes swelling, difficulty moving the finger, and pain. The duration of the swelling will depend upon how severe the injury is. Other signs of a jammed finger include: pain, but usually not severe. stiffness.

How to reduce swelling in elbow?

However, do not bind the finger so tightly that circulation is affected. E is for elevation. Resting the hand on a pillow where the elbow is lower than the hand can help reduce swelling and pain.

How to tell if a finger is crooked?

A person should see their doctor as quickly as possible when: 1 the finger appears deformed or crooked 2 they develop a fever following the injury 3 the finger becomes significantly swollen 4 the finger starts hurting more instead of less over time 5 the person cannot fully straighten the finger

How to treat finger infection?

Medical Treatment. The mainstay of treatment for finger infections is antibiotics and proper wound care. This can range from a simple incision and drainage of the wound to an extensive surgical exploration of the wound to remove as much infected material as possible.

What is used to flush out a wound?

Sometimes, a piece of rubber tubing or gauze will be placed into the wound to aid the initial drainage. The wound may also be flushed out with a sterile solution to remove as much debris as possible. These infections will require antibiotics. The wound will then require specific home care as prescribed by your doctor.

What is the most common viral infection of the hand?

Herpetic whitlow: A herpetic whitlow is an infection of the fingertip area caused by a virus. This is the most common viral infection of the hand. This infection is often misdiagnosed as a paronychia or felon. Cellulitis: This is a superficial infection of the skin and underlying tissue.

What is collar button abscess?

A collar button abscess is such an infection when it is located in the web space of the fingers. Finger Infection Causes. Bacteria cause most of these finger infections. The exception to this is the herpetic whitlow, which is caused by a virus.

What does it mean when your fingers are painful?

The motion of the fingers and hand should not be difficult or painful. If painful or difficult, this may indicate a deep space infection of some type. Infectious flexor tenosynovitis: Four major signs often are found with this condition. First is tenderness over the flexor or palm side of the finger.

What is the infection of the skin on the finger?

Cellulitis: This is a superficial infection of the skin and underlying tissue. It is usually on the surface and does not involve deeper structures of the hand or finger. Infectious flexor tenosynovitis: This infection involves the tendon sheaths responsible for flexing or closing the hand.

What causes cellulitis in the hand?

Cellulitis: The most common causes of this bacterial infection are staphylococcal and streptococcal organisms. This infection is usually the result of an open wound that allows the bacteria to infect the local skin and tissue. The infection can also spread to the hand and fingers by blood carrying the organisms.