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
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 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 I treat a smashed finger?
A smashed finger is a common injury that involves trauma to the finger. Though they can be very painful, most smashed fingers heal after a few days of at-home care. 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.
What to do when a finger bleeds?
Apply firm pressure until bleeding stops. If finger or part of finger is severed, put the severed part in a clean plastic bag, pack the bag in ice, and take it with you to the doctor. 2. Clean Wound Wash with fresh water. Apply antibacterial cream to reduce risk of infection. Apply a sterile bandage. 3. Control 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.
When should you go to the doctor for a smashed finger?
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.
Why is my smashed finger 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.
What to do if you smashed the tip of your 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 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.
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.
What does it mean when one finger turns blue?
Peripheral cyanosis is when the hands, fingertips, or feet turn blue because they are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. All organs and tissues need oxygen to function. A person's body absorbs oxygen from the air that they breathe. Blood contains a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen to the body's cells.
How do you treat a blood clot in your finger at home?
Immediate First AidIce it. An ice pack can quickly reduce pain and swelling. ... Elevate it. Raising the injured finger above the heart slows the blood flow and reduces the throbbing. ... Use it. If possible, keep using the finger to promote circulation. ... Take a pain reliever.
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.
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.
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 happens if you smash your finger?
Smashing your finger is just the beginning. After a day or two, blood will likely start to build up under your nail. You might see the nail turning color—usually dark blue or black—and feel a lot of pressure. This is what happens when a bruise is contained in the tiny space at the tip of a finger.
Do you have to go to the emergency room for a smashed finger?
In most smashed finger cases, you don't need to run to the emergency room. Occasionally, the finger might be broken. There are exceptions to any rule, however, so visit your favorite healthcare provider if you have any of the following: Deformity.
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.
What to do if you have a broken finger tip?
Treatment of a finger tip injury depends on the severity. Some treatment options can include: Dressing (gauze , tape, sterile pad, etc.) Splints or metal pins. Surgery.
What to do if finger is broken?
Broken finger tip: This is very common. This can be treated with a splint or temporary metal pins to hold the bone fragments in proper position. If the damage is too severe, amputation of the finger tip may be necessary.
What is fingertip injury?
Finger tip injuries are one of the more common injuries in the hand. The finger tips are exposed in many of our activities. Figure 1. Fingertip anatomy.
How long does it take for a finger to feel sensitive?
Your finger may be sensitive for many months. Sometimes, you’ll have limited feeling in the finger tip. The quality and texture of the skin may be different, and your finger will likely look different.#N#Talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for you.
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 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 clean a paperclip?
Straighten and sterilize the paperclip. Use a set of pliers to straighten the paperclip completely. Then, dip one end of the paperclip in rubbing alcohol to disinfect it. When you’re finished, place the disinfected paperclip on a clean paper towel and let it dry. Heat the paperclip with a match or lighter.
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 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 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.
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 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!
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.
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.
Is it painful to smear your finger?
A smashed finger can be very painful, but usually results in minor injury. If you notice any of the following symptoms you should head over to your local urgent care.
How to treat finger infection?
The mainstay of treatment for finger infections is antibiotics and proper wound care. The proper wound care varies for each of the different infections. 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.
How to prevent finger loss?
If any signs and symptoms of finger infection are present, contact a doctor at once . If a person has signs or symptoms of a felon, cellulitis, flexor tenosynovitis, or deep space infection, seek emergency care at once.
What is a felon's finger?
Felon: A felon is an infection of the fingertip. This infection is located in the fingertip pad and soft tissue associated with it. 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.
What does it mean when your finger is red and throbbing?
Readers Comments 7. Share Your Story. Swollen, red, and a painful, throbbing fingertip are symptoms of a felon finger infection. Each of the main finger infections has specific signs and symptoms that make identification unique and may cause confusion if not properly evaluated.
What is a collar button abscess?
Infection may involve one or more of these structures. A collar button abscess is such an infection when it is located in the webspace of the fingers.
What happens if you don't treat finger infections?
Failure to properly treat finger infections can result in permanent disability and even loss of the finger. Early recognition and proper treatment of the following main types of finger infections will help prevent most of the serious outcomes. Paronychia: A paronychia is an infection of the finger that involves the tissue at the edges ...
What are the symptoms of paronychia?
Paronychia: Symptoms and signs of paronychia include redness and swelling of the area next to the fingernail. Finger infection is a common problem. Infection can range from mild to serious, potentially causing permanent loss of function of the involved finger. Often these infections start out small and are relatively easy to treat.
Why do my hands get red?
It’s worth noting that the hands have small blood vessels to begin with, so even a small clot can interfere with blood flow. That can lead to redness, swelling, pain, or even the formation of more clots. Poor blood flow means there’s not enough oxygen to nourish nearby tissue, which can result in tissue death.
How does a bruise change color?
A bruise also quickly changes color, first darkening and then getting lighter as it heals and fades away. If you have a cut on your finger or underneath the fingernail, normal clotting should stop the bleeding. An abnormal clot is inside the vein and can prevent blood from flowing freely.
How to tell if you have a blood clot on your finger?
Signs that you have a blood clot of the finger include: one or more firm, blue bumps on the palm side of the finger. pain, tenderness, or warmth. redness or other color changes to the finger. finger that feels cold to the touch. A blood clot under the fingernail can be mildly to severely painful.
Can a blood clot in the finger go away?
A blood clot in the finger can be small and may go away without treatment. It could be a one-time issue caused by trauma to the finger. But if there’s a medical condition that’s causing abnormal clotting, you’ll want to know.