Ava Monroe
If you have a jammed finger, seek medical attention if you’re experiencing persistent bleeding or if you think the finger is broken. If the nail or skin is broken, gently clean the area using soap and water or an antibacterial rinse. Then, cover the wound with sterile gauze or bandages. Wounds should be cleaned, and new dressings should be applied at least twice daily.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wash the finger with soap and water | 5 minutes |
| Take any rings off the finger before it swells | N/A |
| Put the finger in cold water or wrap it with an ice pack | N/A |
| Keep it cold to stop bleeding | N/A |
| Wrap and press a clean cloth, paper towel, or gauze over the bleeding cut | N/A |
| Lift or raise (elevate) the finger above the level of your child’s heart | N/A |
| Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin) | For cuts |
| Cover it with a bandage | Change daily |
| For a cracked nail without rough edges, leave it alone | N/A |
| For a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, cut it off | Use a pair of scissors that have been cleaned |
| Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief | N/A |
What You'll Learn
Wash the finger with soap and water for 5 minutes
If you have a jammed finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it.
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Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin)
If you have a cracked nail without rough edges, leave it alone. However, if you have a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, cut it off using scissors that have been cleaned. Cut along the line of the tear. If you have a cut, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Cover it with a bandage and change it daily.
For a jammed finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it. Unless your healthcare provider says otherwise, never splint or wrap a smashed finger as this can impede blood flow.
If you are unsure whether your finger injury is serious, err on the side of caution and seek medical care. Even if there is no fracture, a severely jammed finger can lead to permanent joint deformity and stiffness if not given the appropriate treatment. If you smash a finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it. Unless your healthcare provider says otherwise, never splint or wrap a smashed finger as this can impede blood flow.
If the nail or skin is broken, gently clean the area using soap and water or an antibacterial rinse. Then, cover the wound with sterile gauze or bandages. Wounds should be cleaned, and new dressings should be applied at least twice daily. Never splint or brace an injured finger without talking with your doctor first. The cold from the ice can help stop bleeding and prevent a blood blister from forming under the nail.
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Cover it with a bandage. Change daily
If you have a jammed finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it.
Wash the finger with soap and water for 5 minutes. For any cuts, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Cover it with a bandage. Change daily. For a cracked nail without rough edges, leave it alone. For a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, cut it off. Use a pair of scissors that have been cleaned. Cut along the line of the tear. Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief. Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin).
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Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief
If you have a jammed finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it.
Wash the finger with soap and water for 5 minutes. For any cuts, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Cover it with a bandage. Change daily. For a cracked nail without rough edges, leave it alone. For a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, cut it off. Use a pair of scissors that have been cleaned. Cut along the line of the tear. Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief. Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin).
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Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin)
If you have a cracked nail without rough edges, leave it alone. If you have a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, cut it off using a pair of scissors that have been cleaned. Cut along the line of the tear. Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief. Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Cover it with a bandage. Change daily.
If you have a severely jammed finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it. Unless your healthcare provider says otherwise, never splint or wrap a smashed finger as this can impede blood flow.
If you are unsure whether your finger injury is serious, err on the side of caution and seek medical care. Even if there is no fracture, a severely jammed finger can lead to permanent joint deformity and stiffness if not given the appropriate treatment. If the nail or skin is broken, gently clean the area using soap and water or an antibacterial rinse. Then, cover the wound with sterile gauze or bandages. Wounds should be cleaned, and new dressings should be applied at least twice daily. Never splint or brace an injured finger without talking with your doctor first.
For most nail crush injuries, you should: wash the finger or toe with soap and water. Take any rings off the finger or toe before it swells. Put the finger or toe in cold water or wrap it with an ice pack right away. Keeping it cold will help stop the bleeding and may prevent a blood blister (hematoma) from forming under the nail. Wrap and press a clean cloth, paper towel, or gauze over the bleeding cut. Lift or raise (elevate) the finger or foot above the level of your child’s heart.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a jammed finger nail, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it. Unless your healthcare provider says otherwise, never splint or wrap a jammed finger as this can impede blood flow.
Wash the finger with soap and water for 5 minutes. For any cuts, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Cover it with a bandage. Change daily. For a cracked nail without rough edges, leave it alone. For a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, cut it off. Use a pair of scissors that have been cleaned. Cut along the line of the tear. Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief. Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin).
A lot of times, finger and toenail crush injuries cause similar damage and can be treated the same way. For most crush injuries to nails, you should: Wash the finger or toe with soap and water. Take any rings off the finger or toe before it swells. Put the finger or toe in cold water or wrap it with an ice pack right away. Keeping it cold will help stop the bleeding and may prevent a blood blister (hematoma) from forming under the nail. Wrap and press a clean cloth, paper towel, or gauze over the bleeding cut. Lift or raise (elevate) the finger or foot above the level of your child’s heart.
If you are unsure whether your finger injury is serious, err on the side of caution and seek medical care. Even if there is no fracture, a severely jammed finger can lead to permanent joint deformity and stiffness if not given the appropriate treatment. If you smash a finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an OTC pain medication if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your healthcare provider recommends it. Unless your healthcare provider says otherwise, never splint or wrap a smashed finger as this can impede blood flow.
