Types of Finger Injuries

• Cuts, Scrapes (skinned knuckles) and Bruises are the most common injuries.
• Jammed Finger. The end of a straightened finger or thumb receives a blow (usually from a ball). Always check carefully that the end of the finger can be fully straightened. This type of injury can damage the joint.
• Crushed or Smashed Fingertip (from being shut in a door). The end of the finger may have a few cuts or a blood blister. The fingernail may be damaged. Fractures are not common, but can happen.
• Fingernail Injury. If the nailbed is cut, it needs sutures to prevent a permanently deformed fingernail.
• Subungual Hematoma (bruising/bleeding under the nail). Often caused by a crush injury from a door or a heavy object falling on the finger while it is on a firm surface. Pain may range from mild to severe with throbbing. The pressure often needs released to prevent loss of the fingernail and to relieve the pain. May also need repair of the nailbed, if it is cut.
• Fractures are broken bones.
• Dislocations happen when a bone is pulled out of its a joint socket.

Pain Scale

• Mild: you feel some pain. But, it does not keep you from your normal activities. Work, activities and sleep are not changed.
• Moderate: the pain keeps you from doing some normal activities. It may wake you from sleep.
• Severe: the pain is very bad. It keeps you from doing all normal activities.

When to Call for Finger Injury

Care Advice for Minor Finger Injuries

What You Should Know:

• There are many ways that people can injure their fingers.
• Many minor finger injuries can be treated at home.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Pain Medicine:

• For many of the injuries below, over-the-counter (OTC) meds will help with pain.
• To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
• Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works better for this type of pain.
• Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
• If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.

Cuts and Scrapes - Treatment:

• Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes to stop any bleeding.
• Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes.
• For any dirt in the wound, scrub gently.
• Cover any cuts with an antibiotic ointment and bandage. Change daily.

Bruised/Swollen Finger - Treatment:

• Soak in cold water for 20 minutes.
• Take OTC pain meds (see above) for pain relief.

Jammed Finger - Treatment:

• Caution: check that you can bend and straighten each finger. If movement is limited, you should see the doctor to check for a fracture.
• Soak the hand in cold water for 20 minutes.
• Take OTC pain meds (see above) for pain relief.
• If the pain is more than mild, protect it by "buddy-taping" it to the next finger.

Smashed or Crushed Fingertip - Treatment:

• Wash the finger with soap and water for 5 minutes.
• Trim any small pieces of torn skin with small scissors. Clean the scissors with rubbing alcohol prior to using them.
• Cover any cuts with an antibiotic ointment and bandage. Change daily.
• Take OTC pain meds (see above) for pain relief.

Treatment for a Torn Nail:

• For a cracked nail with no rough edges, leave it alone.
• For a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, use small, clean scissors to cut it off along the line of the tear.
• Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. Change daily.
• After about 7 days, the nail bed should be covered by new skin and no longer hurt. A new nail will grow in over 6 to 8 weeks.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Pain becomes severe
• Pain is not getting better after 3 days
• Not using your finger normally after 1 week
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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