Isla Bennett
If you've jammed your finger, you may experience a smashed or fractured finger bone, a cut, a blood blister, or a bruise. In some cases, you may see blood pooling beneath the fingernail, which can cause severe pain and lead to a condition called subungual hematoma. To relieve the pressure and pain, here are some immediate steps you can take, including first aid, ice application, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Aid | Ice, OTC pain relievers, clean cloth or gauze bandage, elevate the finger above the heart |
| Medical Treatment | Drain blood under the nail, stitches, special glue, bandage, splint |
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What You'll Learn
Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling
Applying ice to a jammed finger is a great way to reduce pain and swelling. It is a recommended course of treatment for a smashed finger, along with resting, elevating, keeping the area clean, and using over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
To apply ice to an injured finger, wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth or towel to prevent cold injury to the skin. Then, gently place the wrapped ice pack on the injured finger for up to 20-minute intervals, several times a day. It is important to avoid exposing the skin directly to ice. To avoid putting weight on the injury, rest the finger on top of the covered ice pack.
Additionally, raising the injured finger above the level of your heart can help slow down the blood flow to the site of the injury, reducing inflammation and easing throbbing pain. This technique is especially useful if there is bleeding, as it can help stop the bleeding and prevent a blood blister from forming under the nail.
Remember, while applying ice is a great first step in treating a jammed finger, it is important to seek medical attention if the injury is severe, the pain persists, or there are signs of a fracture or broken finger.
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Elevate the finger above the heart to slow bleeding
If you've jammed your finger, it's important to take steps to relieve the pressure and manage the pain. This is especially true if there is bleeding, as you want to stop the bleeding as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
First, try to stay calm and gently clean the wound with water or a sterile saline solution. Rinsing the wound will help to reduce the risk of infection as your finger starts to heal. Once you've cleaned the wound, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. If blood soaks through the material, don't remove it. Instead, add another layer of cloth or gauze on top and continue to apply pressure.
Now, here's the key part to address the prompt: elevate the injured finger above the level of your heart. This action will slow down the flow of blood to the wound, helping to reduce inflammation and ease throbbing pain. You can allow your hand or arm to rest on something if needed. If possible, keep your finger elevated until the bleeding stops, which should take just a few minutes for a minor cut.
After the bleeding has stopped, you can remove the cloth or gauze. To help reduce scarring and speed up healing, apply a little petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to the wound. If the cut is not likely to get dirty or rub against clothes or other surfaces, you can leave it uncovered. Otherwise, cover the cut with an adhesive strip or bandage to keep it clean and dry.
Remember, even if the injury seems minor, it's important to seek medical attention if you notice any signs of infection or if the pain and swelling don't subside.
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Use over-the-counter pain relievers
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help reduce pain and inflammation in the case of a jammed finger. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often recommended for mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties, and they may inhibit cyclooxygenase activity and prostaglandin synthesis. Small dosages are initially indicated for small children, the elderly, and those with renal or liver disease.
Some examples of OTC NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Aspirin is another OTC pain reliever that can help reduce inflammation and pain. In addition, OTC antibiotic ointments or creams can be applied to wounds after cleaning to prevent infection. Pain-relieving medicated creams and herbal formulas can also help reduce inflammation and pain.
It is important to note that while OTC pain relievers can help manage mild to moderate pain, more severe sprains or fractures may require medical evaluation and treatment. If you have severe pain, swelling, or other concerning symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
Additionally, it is important to follow the recommended dosage instructions on the packaging or provided by your healthcare provider. Do not exceed the recommended dosage, as it may not provide additional therapeutic effects and may even be harmful.
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Drain blood under the nail with a paper clip
If you have a smashed finger, blood can pool beneath the fingernail, leading to what is called a subungual hematoma. After a day or two, the nail may start to turn purple, blue, or even black. Your healthcare provider may consider draining the blood if it is causing you pain. In most cases, the nail will look worse than the injury and will benefit from being left alone.
Healthcare providers generally advise against draining the nail yourself, as you can injure yourself or cause an infection by introducing bacteria into the nail bed. If the pressure beneath the nail is causing you severe pain, your healthcare provider may advise you to drain the blood yourself. This requires four pieces of equipment: a lighter, a pair of pliers, a clean paper clip, and a clean paper towel.
First, wash the finger thoroughly with soap and water. Then, place gentle pressure and allow the heat of the paper clip to burn through the nail plate. Do not push. As the paper clip penetrates the nail, there may be a gush of blood. Remove the paper clip and use the paper towel to wipe away any excess blood. This can be repeated as needed but should only be done if there is pain. This should not be done for cosmetic reasons. If your nail eventually falls off, don't panic—chances are good that it will grow back.
In most cases, a smashed finger won't require medical treatment. Depending on the extent of the injury, the pain may last for a few days or weeks. With that said, it may be necessary to seek care if the injury is severe, the pain and swelling don't subside, or there are obvious signs of a fracture. Knowing when to act can sometimes be difficult. A broken finger, for example, is often hard to differentiate from a sprained (jammed) finger.
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Seek medical attention if severe
If you have a jammed fingernail, it is important to know when to seek medical attention. While a smashed or jammed finger can oftentimes be treated at home with first aid, ice, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, there are some instances where you should seek medical attention.
Firstly, if you are experiencing severe pain, especially if there is blood under the fingernail, you should call your doctor. They may recommend draining the blood to relieve the pressure and prevent the nail from falling off. Do not attempt to drain the blood yourself unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional, as this can cause further injury or infection.
Secondly, if you are unable to move your finger, it is important to seek medical attention. This includes not being able to straighten a bent finger or move or feel the tip of your finger. Exposure of the bone, either through a cut in the skin or a missing fingernail, also warrants immediate medical attention.
Additionally, if your injury involves the palm, wrist, or any of the joints, you should seek medical care. Injuries to these areas can be more complex and may require specialized treatment. If you are unsure whether your injury is severe, it is always best to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare professional.
Finally, even after initial treatment, if your symptoms do not improve or worsen, or if you notice any problems with the nail as it heals and regrows, you should seek medical attention. This includes signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, as well as deformity or persistent pain in the affected area.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a jammed or smashed fingernail, you should first elevate the injured finger by raising it above the level of your heart. This will help to slow down the bleeding and reduce throbbing pain. You can also apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the injured finger for 15-20 minute intervals, several times a day to help stop bleeding and reduce inflammation and pain.
If there is severe pressure and pain, or blood under the fingernail, you should seek medical attention. If you are unable to move your finger, this is also a sign of a serious injury.
If there is blood under your fingernail, your doctor may recommend draining the blood to relieve the pressure and prevent the fingernail from falling off. Do not attempt to do this yourself as you may cause further injury or introduce an infection.
You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin to help reduce inflammation and pain. You can also gently massage the injury site to improve recovery time and break up dead blood cells.
The recovery time for a jammed fingernail depends on the severity of the injury. Symptoms should start to improve after a few days of basic care. It may take a few weeks before it is safe to return to activities that involve finger strain.
