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This article was co-written by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Matsko is a retired physician with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Cornell’s Distinguished Leadership Award. He received his PhD from Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. He holds a Research Diploma from AMWA in 2016 and a Medical Content Writing & Editorial Certificate from the University of Chicago in 2017.
There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 82,153 times.
Have you ever accidentally hit your finger with a hammer while doing household chores, hanging a picture or building something in the workshop? This is a common occurrence, but can be very painful, and your finger will hurt if hit hard. At this point you need to assess the extent of the damage to know how to treat it at home and when to see a doctor. You can decide this by examining the wound and determining its severity.
Steps
Finger care
- You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can also reduce pain and inflammation. Take as directed on the medicine box. [1] X Research Source
- You don’t need to see a doctor unless your finger doesn’t swell, the wound is painful or numb, or the finger can’t move in or out. [2] X Research Sources[3] X Research Sources
- Seek medical attention if a fracture is suspected. You need an X-ray, and your doctor may splint your finger or have another form of treatment. Do not splint your finger unless directed by your doctor. [4] X Research Sources
- Apply pressure to the wound for a few minutes to slow the bleeding, so you can assess how deep the wound is and if a doctor is needed.
- Call 911 immediately if bleeding is excessive or streaks. [5] X Research Sources
- Many doctors still stitch the damaged skin over the flesh of the finger to form a protective layer while the young skin is growing. The outer layer of skin is cut away when new skin has formed.
- The lacerations can be shallow and stop bleeding soon after the tear, especially if the finger is not hit too hard. If this is the case, wash the wound, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a bandage. [6] X Research Sources
- You cannot bend your finger if the tendon is torn or broken.
- Cuts in the palm or near the crease at the knuckles can damage the tendons underneath.
- You may also feel numbness due to nerve damage.
- Soft palms can be a sign of damaged tendons.
- You may need to resort to the intervention of a surgeon if any of these signs are present, as hand and finger treatment is a complex process.
- You may find that part of your nail is detached or broken. If the nail bed is deeply broken, you need medical attention as the wound may need stitches. If left untreated, a cut can interfere with nail growth, cause the nail to grow out of place, or cause an infection.
- Seek medical attention right away if part or all of a nail is lost. This is a serious condition and needs attention. Damaged nails can be removed or sutured until a new, healthy nail grows back. This process can take 6 months. [8] X Research Sources[9] X Research Sources
Treating hematoma under the nail
- You do not need to do anything if the blood stain under the nail covers less than 25% of the nail area. The blood stain will move upward on its own as the nail grows longer. The degree to which the nail turns black as the blood dries depends on how hard or lightly the nail is beaten. [10] X Research Source
- If the hematoma covers more than 50% of the nail, the doctor will order an X-ray of the nail.
- You should see a doctor to treat a hematoma under the nail within 24-48 hours.
- After the hole is punched, blood will seep out of the nail until the pressure drops. Your doctor will bandage your finger and send you home.
- Your doctor may use an 18-gauge needle instead, but cauterization is still more commonly used.
- This procedure is painless, because the nail has no nerves. [11] X Research Source
- This method helps reduce pressure that builds up under the nail, which means you’re less likely to have to remove the nail.
- If it doesn’t go through the nail the first time, you need to reheat the tip of the paper clip and try again, pressing down a little harder so that the tip of the paper clip penetrates the nail.
- Do not press too hard, as you may hit the nail bed.
- You can take a pain reliever before the procedure if your finger hurts a lot.
- Ask a close friend or family member to help you if you are unable to do this yourself. [12] X Research Source
- You can also tape in a figure eight pattern, from the finger to the base of the hand. This will keep the tape in place.
Continue to take care of your fingers
- If your finger requires stitches, you should ask your doctor before washing. Take care of your stitches according to your doctor’s instructions. You may need to keep it dry and not wash it with any solution. [14] X Research Source
- Be sure to contact your doctor if other symptoms arise, an infection is suspected, dirt gets into the wound and can’t be removed, the pain worsens, or the wound starts to bleed uncontrollably. [16] X Research Source
- You should also contact your doctor if you have symptoms of nerve damage, including: loss of sensation, numbness, or the formation of a scar called a “neuroma,” which often causes pain and feels like electric shock when touched. [17] X Research Source
This article was co-written by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Matsko is a retired physician with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Cornell’s Distinguished Leadership Award. He received his PhD from Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. He holds a Research Diploma from AMWA in 2016 and a Medical Content Writing & Editorial Certificate from the University of Chicago in 2017.
There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 82,153 times.
Have you ever accidentally hit your finger with a hammer while doing household chores, hanging a picture or building something in the workshop? This is a common occurrence, but can be very painful, and your finger will hurt if hit hard. At this point you need to assess the extent of the damage to know how to treat it at home and when to see a doctor. You can decide this by examining the wound and determining its severity.
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