Caleb Foster
Slicing your fingernail can be painful and cause a lot of bleeding. It is important to act quickly and assess the severity of the injury. First, try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or bandage. If the bleeding doesn't stop or the cut is deep, long, or wide, you may need to seek medical attention and possibly get stitches. In the meantime, gently clean the wound with water or a saline solution and elevate your hand to reduce throbbing and bleeding. If you have a severe injury, such as a broken bone, a doctor may need to place a wire in your finger to keep the bone in place and prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
What to do when you slice your fingernail
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Try to stop the bleeding |
| Assess the severity of the injury | |
| Remove all jewellery from your hand | |
| Cleaning the wound | Clean the wound with water or saline solution |
| Do not use alcohol on your finger as this can damage healthy tissue | |
| Use a clean cloth or sterile bandage to put firm pressure on the wound to help stop bleeding | |
| Treatment | For a severe cut, you may need emergency treatment, such as stitches or surgery |
| If the wound is small and doesn't involve the bone, your doctor may leave it to heal on its own | |
| If the bone is exposed, you may need reconstructive flap surgery to cover the wound with new skin, fat, and blood vessels | |
| If you've cut off a large part of your finger, your doctor may be able to reattach it | |
| Antibiotics are usually not given unless the bone is broken and there is bleeding or a laceration, or if the wound is from a bite | |
| If the cut is so severe that there's a risk of a severed finger, go to the ER as quickly as possible | |
| If you lose your nail, it will take about 7-10 days for the nail bed to heal | |
| Pain relief | Take prescription pain relievers as directed |
| You can use ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling | |
| Acetaminophen helps with pain but not swelling |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the wound with water or saline solution
If you've sliced your fingernail, it's important to clean the wound to prevent infection and encourage healing. Here are some detailed steps on how to clean the wound with water or saline solution:
Prepare the wound:
Before you begin, it's important to remove any jewellery from your hand, including rings. If you need assistance removing a ring due to swelling, gently apply soap to help the ring slip off. If you are unable to remove it, contact your healthcare provider for further guidance.
Clean the wound:
To clean the wound, you can use either normal saline solution (saltwater) or mild soapy water. Prepare a gauze pad or soft cloth by soaking it in your chosen solution. Gently dab or wipe the skin around the wound with the gauze or cloth, taking care not to get soap inside the wound as this can cause irritation. Ensure you remove any dirt, dried blood, or other matter that may have accumulated on the skin.
If there is dirt or debris remaining in the wound after cleaning, use tweezers to carefully remove it. Ensure the tweezers are cleaned with isopropyl alcohol beforehand. Avoid picking at the wound with your fingers, as this can cause further irritation and increase the risk of infection.
Rinse the wound:
Rinsing the wound with clear water can help loosen and remove any remaining dirt or debris. Hold the wounded area under running water or use a clean cloth dampened with water to gently wipe the area. Ensure that any soap residue is rinsed away.
Dry the wound:
After cleaning and rinsing the wound, gently pat it dry using a clean, soft, dry cloth or a piece of gauze. Ensure that all moisture is absorbed and the area is thoroughly dried.
Apply a dressing:
Once the wound is clean and dry, you may choose to apply a clean, sterile, non-stick bandage to protect the area and keep out germs. Change the bandage daily or as needed if it becomes wet or dirty.
When to seek medical attention:
For more serious nail injuries, such as deep cuts or tears, or if the nail is detached from the nail bed, it is important to seek medical attention at an urgent care centre or emergency room. They can help stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and provide appropriate treatment, which may include numbing the area and repairing the nail bed.
Additionally, if you experience any signs of infection, such as increased redness, pain, swelling, or discharge, consult your healthcare provider for further guidance and treatment options.
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Apply a bandage to the wound
If you've sliced your fingernail, applying a bandage to the wound is an important step to prevent infection and promote healing. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:
Prepare the Fingertip:
Start by rinsing your fingertip under clean, cool running water to remove any dirt and slow the bleeding. Avoid using soap, as it may irritate the wound. Gently pat your fingertip dry with a clean cotton or gauze pad. If the bleeding persists, apply pressure with the pad to stop it.
Select the Right Bandage:
Choose a bandage that fits the injury. For minor cuts, a simple band-aid or small strip bandage will work. If you only have large rectangular or square bandages, you can create your own fingertip bandage by cutting and shaping it accordingly.
Apply the Bandage:
Open the bandage packaging carefully. Peel off one of the plastic coverings to expose the adhesive. Place the center of the bandage directly onto the wound and press gently. Secure the ends of the bandage to the rest of your finger. For strip bandages, you can bend and overlap the ends for a secure fit.
Fold and Secure:
Fold the top ends of the bandage over your fingernail so they crisscross. Take the thin adhesive end and bring it over your fingernail. Repeat this for the other side, creating an "X" pattern across your fingernail. This will help keep the bandage in place.
Monitor and Change the Bandage:
Keep an eye on the wound and change the bandage regularly to prevent infection. Always use a new bandage when re-wrapping the wound. Dispose of the used bandages properly, and remember to wash your hands before and after treating the injury.
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Elevate the hand above the heart
If you've sliced your fingernail, it's important to act quickly to reduce the risk of infection and minimise pain. Here's what to do, focusing on the step "elevate the hand above the heart":
First, try to stop any bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Once the bleeding has stopped, gently clean the wound with water or a saline solution. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing to keep it clean and protected.
Now, to reduce throbbing pain and swelling, it's important to elevate the injured hand above the level of your heart. This can be done in several ways, depending on your comfort and the position you're in:
If you're sleeping on your back, place your injured hand on a pillow next to you, with the palm facing down. This will help keep your hand elevated above your heart. You can also use an arm elevation pillow, which is a special type of foam pillow designed for this purpose. Place your arm inside the hole with your elbow resting on the bottom support.
If you're sleeping on your side, lie on the opposite side of the injured hand. Bend your elbow and bring your hand up to rest near your face, close to your ear. This position will help keep your hand elevated, even if only slightly.
You can also try the "Statue of Liberty" pose. Lie on your back with your head propped up by a couple of pillows. Lift your injured arm above your head, resting it on the pillows. This pose may be challenging to maintain while sleeping, but it's effective for reducing swelling.
Elevating your hand above your heart improves blood circulation, which can speed up healing and reduce swelling and bruising. It's an important step to take when dealing with a fingernail slice to promote healing and minimise discomfort.
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Apply ice to reduce throbbing
If you've sliced your fingernail, one way to reduce throbbing is to apply ice to the affected area. Wrap an ice pack or some ice in a clean cloth or towel and apply it to your finger for up to 20 minutes at a time. Do this several times a day—for example, every 2 hours on the first day, then 3 to 4 times a day after that. Keeping your hand elevated above the level of your heart will also help to reduce throbbing and inflammation.
Applying ice is a good way to treat the pain and swelling of a smashed finger. It can also help to stop bleeding and prevent a blood blister from forming under the nail. If there is blood under your nail, you may need to seek medical attention, as this can be very painful and may require a procedure to relieve the pressure.
If you have a smashed finger, it's important to keep the injury clean and to use over-the-counter pain relief. You can also try gently massaging the area to improve recovery time by encouraging blood flow. Most smashed fingers will start to feel better within 3 to 4 days, but it may take a few weeks to fully heal.
If your fingernail has been injured, it may fall off within a week or two of the injury. In this case, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal, and a new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow and replace the lost nail. The new nail may have grooves or ridges and be somewhat misshapen, and this may be permanent.
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Visit a hospital if the injury is severe
If you've sliced your fingernail and the injury is severe, it is important to visit a hospital or urgent care centre for treatment. Here are some guidelines on when to seek emergency medical attention and what to expect during your visit:
When to Go to the Hospital:
- Deep Cuts: If the cut is deep and affects the skin, tendons, ligaments, or bone, seek emergency treatment.
- Bleeding: If the bleeding doesn't slow down after applying steady direct pressure for a few minutes, go to the hospital.
- Severity of the Wound: If the cut is more than three-quarters of an inch in length, has ragged edges, or was caused by a dirty or rusty object, seek medical attention.
- Amputation: In case of a partial or complete fingertip amputation, go to the emergency room immediately.
Treatment at the Hospital:
- Stopping the Bleeding: Medical professionals will work to stop the bleeding and clean the wound.
- Numbing the Area: They may administer a numbing injection to alleviate pain before treating the injury.
- Stitches or Surgery: Deep cuts may require stitches or, in severe cases, reconstructive surgery to repair the skin and underlying soft tissues.
- Antibiotics: If the wound is contaminated or at risk of infection, your provider may prescribe antibiotics.
- Nail Reattachment: If the nail cannot be reattached, a special type of material may be placed on the nail bed to protect it as it heals.
- Bone Injuries: If there is a broken bone under the nail, a wire may be placed in your finger to keep the bone in place during healing.
- Follow-up Care: The medical team will provide instructions on aftercare and recovery, including advice on pain management and potential physical therapy.
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Frequently asked questions
If the injury is minor, you can treat it at home by cleaning the wound with water or saline solution, applying a bandage, and elevating your hand.
If the injury is severe, you should seek emergency medical help. Try to control the bleeding and clean the wound with water or saline solution. Wrap any severed parts in moistened gauze and place them in a waterproof bag on ice. Bring this with you to the hospital.
Treatments for a sliced fingernail depend on the severity of the injury. Minor injuries may not require any treatment, while more severe injuries may need stitches, surgery, or even a skin graft. If the bone under the nail is fractured, you may need a wire to keep the bone in place. Antibiotics are usually only given if the bone is broken, there is bleeding, or the wound is from a bite.
