Sophia Delgado
Smashed fingers are a common injury, often caused by trauma to the finger, such as catching it in a door or hitting it with a hammer. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and bruising, and sometimes blood can build up under the fingernail. The first step in treating a smashed finger is to manage the pain and swelling with ice and over-the-counter pain medication. If there is blood under the fingernail, it is important to seek medical advice before attempting to drain it yourself.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Relieve swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and over-the-counter pain medication if needed |
| Treatment | Avoid splinting or wrapping the smashed finger as this can impede blood flow |
| Treatment | Do not drain blood from under the fingernail unless instructed to by a healthcare provider |
| Treatment | Seek medical attention if there are signs of a fracture, the injury looks severe, or the pain and swelling persist |
| Treatment | If blood builds up under a fingernail, a heated wire may be used to burn a hole through the nail |
| Treatment | Keep gently moving the finger to promote circulation |
| Treatment | Rest, ice, elevate, keep the area clean, and use OTC pain relievers |
| Treatment | Gently massage the injury site and the surrounding area |
| Symptoms | Severe finger pain, especially aching and throbbing pain |
| Symptoms | Fingernail may fall off within a week or two of the injury |
| Symptoms | Bruising |
| Symptoms | Discoloration around the site of the injury |
| Symptoms | Stiffness |
| Symptoms | Swelling |
| Recovery Time | Most smashed fingers start to feel much better within three to four days |
| Recovery Time | More complicated or severe cases may take a few weeks or more to fully heal |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Apply ice to reduce swelling and pain
Applying ice is one of the first and most important steps to take to relieve pain and reduce swelling from a smashed fingernail. The cold from the ice helps stop bleeding and prevents a blood blister from forming under the nail. It is important to act quickly to minimize pain and the risk of infection.
To apply ice to the injured finger, wrap an ice pack or a cold compress in a hand towel, paper towel, or a clean cloth. Make sure not to expose the skin directly to ice. Place the injured finger on top of the wrapped ice pack to avoid putting weight or pressure on the injury. Keep the ice on for 10 to 20-minute intervals with 20-minute breaks, several times a day, for the first few hours after the injury.
Raising the injured finger above the level of your heart will also help slow down the blood flow to the site, reducing inflammation and pain.
Finger Paint Nail Salon: Oakland's Creative Mani Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Keep the finger elevated
Keeping your finger elevated is an important step in treating a smashed fingernail. Elevation can help to reduce swelling and pain. Raising your injured finger above the level of your heart slows down the blood flow to the site of the injury. This, in turn, helps to reduce inflammation and throbbing pain.
It is recommended to elevate your hand and use a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. You can also apply ice wrapped in a hand towel or cloth to your injured finger for up to 20-minute intervals, several times a day. Be sure not to expose your skin directly to ice. Instead, rest your finger on top of a covered ice compress or pack.
If you have bleeding under a large area of the nail surface, your doctor may need to remove the entire nail. In such cases, your doctor will bandage your nail and you will be instructed to keep your finger elevated during the first 12 hours after the procedure.
In addition to keeping your finger elevated, it is important to keep the area clean and use over-the-counter pain relievers to aid in your recovery.
The Mystery of Fallen Fingernails in Children
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Take over-the-counter painkillers
A smashed fingernail can be extremely painful and is often the result of an injury involving trauma to one or more fingers. The pain can last for a few days or weeks, depending on the extent of the injury. If the pain is severe, it is advisable to seek medical attention. However, if the injury is minor, over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers can help manage the pain and promote long-term healing.
When choosing an over-the-counter painkiller, look for oral anti-inflammatories or pain killers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), Motrin, or Aspirin. These medications can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. It is important to follow the dosage guidelines and your healthcare provider's advice when taking any over-the-counter medication.
In addition to taking OTC painkillers, you can also apply ice to the injured finger to help reduce swelling and pain. Wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth to prevent direct contact with the skin, and apply it for 15 minutes at a time, a few times an hour during the first day. Elevating the hand above the level of your heart can also help reduce inflammation and pain.
While OTC painkillers can provide temporary relief, it is important to monitor the injury and seek medical attention if the pain persists or if there are signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail. Additionally, if there is blood under the fingernail, it is recommended to follow your healthcare provider's advice on draining the blood to relieve pressure and pain.
Overall, while a smashed fingernail can be extremely painful, OTC painkillers and home remedies can provide relief and promote healing. However, it is crucial to be vigilant about monitoring the injury and seeking medical attention if needed.
Regrowing Fingernails: How Long Does It Take?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Drain blood from under the nail
If you have a smashed finger, you may notice some blood under the nail that looks like a dark-coloured discoloration (red, maroon, or purple-black). You can relieve the pain and pressure by draining the blood that forms under the nail. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Prepare the equipment:
Wash your hands with mild soap and warm water, then dry them with a clean towel. Take a paper clip and straighten it out. Sterilize the paper clip by holding it with a pair of pliers and heating the tip in a flame until it is red-hot. Alternatively, you may use a sterilized safety pin or needle.
Pierce the nail:
Carefully touch the red-hot tip of the paper clip to the part of the nail where the most blood has collected. Apply gentle pressure and allow the heat to burn through the nail plate. Do not push or press too hard, as you want to pierce the nail without burning the skin underneath. As the paper clip penetrates the nail, there may be a gush of blood.
Aftercare:
Remove the paper clip and use a paper towel to wipe away any excess blood. You may see drainage of clear or slightly bloody fluid for 2 to 3 days, which is normal. To prevent infection, soak the injured finger in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, 3 times a day for 2-3 days.
It is important to note that you should not attempt this procedure if the injury is severe, or if you are uncomfortable with the process. Seek medical attention if you have a deep wound, suspect a broken finger, or if symptoms do not improve with basic treatment.
Healing Your Finger Nails: Tips for Healthy Growth
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Keep the finger clean
Keeping your injured finger clean is an important step in the healing process. Start by gently cleaning the area with mild soap and warm water. Dry your hands with a clean towel. This will help prevent an infection from developing on your fingertip.
You can further clean and disinfect the injury by pouring a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and applying it to the surface of the fingernail. Let the alcohol dry.
Once the initial pain and swelling have improved, you should try to keep your finger moving and stretch it gently to encourage blood flow to the site. This will help improve recovery time and break up dead blood cells and tissues. However, be careful not to perform any movements that cause your pain to increase significantly.
To avoid infection, it is also important to keep your finger elevated. Raising the injured finger above the level of your heart slows the flood of blood to the site, reducing inflammation and easing throbbing pain.
Perfect Filing: Nail Care Direction Tips
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Stop what you're doing to prevent further injury and calmly assess the damage. Treat the injury with ice and elevation to reduce swelling and pain.
Apply ice for 10-15 minute intervals with 20-minute breaks for the first few hours after the injury. You can also take over-the-counter oral anti-inflammatories or painkillers such as ibuprofen (Advil), Tylenol, Motrin, or Aspirin.
A few days after the injury, you can relieve pain and pressure by using a heated paperclip to drain the blood from under the nail. Make sure to thoroughly clean your finger and the paperclip beforehand to prevent infection.
Keep your finger elevated and continue to move and stretch it to promote circulation and recovery. Gently massage the injury site to improve blood flow and help break up dead blood cells and tissues.
Seek medical attention if you are experiencing persistent bleeding, severe pain, or suspect that your finger is broken or fractured. Other reasons to seek medical attention include if your finger feels numb, is noticeably bent or crooked, or if symptoms worsen or persist after 48 hours of home care.
