You might accidentally hit your finger with a hammer while doing work around the house, hanging a picture, or building something in your workshop.If you hit it hard enough, you can hurt your finger.You need to assess the damage so you know how to treat it at home.If you check the wound and determine the severity of your condition, you can make a decision.
Step 1: Check for signs of swelling.
No matter how hard you hit it, your finger will swell.The most common response to trauma is this.Your finger may swell for a couple of days if the hit wasn't too strong.If the only symptom you can see is swelling, you should put an ice pack on your finger.Taking over-the-counter pain medication can help relieve the pain as well.The inflammation and pain can be alleviated with the use of an NSAID.As per the instructions on the packaging.You don't need to see a doctor if the swelling will not go down, you will develop serious pain or numbness, or you cannot move your finger all the way out.
Step 2: It is necessary to respond to a broken bone.
If the swelling is bad and you are in pain, you may have fractured your finger.If your finger is contorted and sensitive to touch, you may have fractured it.This could be accompanied by bleeding skin or a smashed fingernail.Seek medical attention if you think you have a broken bone.You should get an X-ray if you have a finger injury.Unless a doctor tells you to, don't put a splint on your finger.
Step 3: The wound should be cleaned.
If your finger is bleeding after you hit it, you need to clean the wound.If there is bleeding, wash the wound with warm water.Run the warm water over the wound, not back into it.If you want to cleanse the entire wound surface, use a gauze pad.If you need to see a doctor, you should put pressure on the wound for a few minutes to slow the flow of blood.Seek medical attention if there is excessive bleeding.
Step 4: Evaluate the lacerations.
You need to evaluate the finger for lacerations or cuts after you've cleaned the wound.It's fine if the wound bleeds a little while you check it.There are tears or flaps of skin on the surface of your finger.A doctor needs to examine any destroyed tissue or torn skin that has been left with a bleeding finger pad.If the wound is 2 inch (1.3 cm) or larger, stitching may be required.It is unlikely to be salvaged if there is a section of completely destroyed skin.Doctors will still sew damaged or destroyed skin over the raw finger pad in order to protect it.Once new skin has formed, the skin will be removed.If you didn't hit your finger hard, lacerations may be shallow and stop bleeding soon.Wrap the wound with a bandage if this is the case.
Step 5: Look for an injury to the tendon.
Since your hand and fingers are an intricate system of muscles, tendons, and nerves, it's important to examine your finger for signs of injury.Tendons connect muscles to bones.There are two types of tendons in your hand, flexor and extensor, both on the palm side.These tendons can be damaged or even severed by cuts and smashes.If you have a torn or cut finger, it will be hard to bend it.A cut on the palm side of the hand or near the skin folds at the joints of your fingers could be a sign of injury.You can feel numbness due to nerve damage.The palm side of your hand may be tender.If you see any of the signs, you should ask a hand surgeon to repair the hand and fingers.
Step 6: Evaluate the finger.
There could be significant damage to your fingernail if you hit it with the hammer.You can assess the damage by looking at your fingernail.There is no need to see a doctor if there is a small blood blisters.If there is any initial pain, take over the counter medication.If the pain lasts for more than a few days, you should seek medical attention.There is a chance you have a subungual hematoma.A portion of the fingernail may have been cut.You will likely need stitches if you have a significant cut in the nail bed.The cut may prevent nail growth, cause the nail to grow in a distorted manner, or cause infections if you don't get it treated.If the fingernail is missing, immediately seek medical attention.This is a serious problem.A new, healthy fingernail can grow back if the fingernail is removed.It can take up to six months.
Step 7: See your doctor.
If the amount of blood under your fingernail is significant, you should see your doctor.A subungal hematoma is an area of broken small blood vessels under the fingernail.Your doctor may suggest that you have your naillanced.You can do it yourself if you react quickly.If you notice throbbing, push back the cuticle as far as you can and it will slip into the needle.The needle will go in easier at the nail base where it grows out, and it will hurt less than your throbbing finger.Allow the blisters to drain a couple times.The black nail is caused by dried blood.You don't have to do anything if the blood only covers 25% or less of your nail.The blood will grow on your finger.As the blood dries, the amount of black on your fingernail will depend on how hard your thumb was hit.Your doctor will ask for a finger X-ray if the hematoma is bigger than 50% of the fingernail.You should see a doctor within 48 hours.
Step 8: The doctor's office is where you should evacuate the blood.
The safest way to remove the nail is to let your doctor do it.Your doctor will melt a small hole through your fingernail with an electric cauterization tool during this procedure.The tip cools when the cautery hits the hematoma.You won't get burned by the tool.The pressure on the nail is relieved after the hole is made.Your doctor will bandage your finger and send you home.The doctor may use an 18-gauge needle.The process is painless because you have no nerves.You're less likely to need the nail removed if this process is used.
Step 9: The hematoma should be removed at home.
Your doctor can tell you if it's okay to leave the hematoma at home.If you want to do this procedure, you need a paperclip and a lighter.Prepare the paper clip by bending it and holding the lighter to the straight end until it is red and hot, about 10 to 15 seconds.Place the paper clip at the center of the hematoma at a 90 degree angle from the nail bed.The hot paper clip edge should be twisted back and forth in the same place to dig into the fingernail.The blood will start oozing out of the nail once you get through the fingernail.As the blood comes out, grab a cloth or bandage to clean it up.If you can't get through it at first, try pressing down on the tip of the paper clip a little harder.You don't want to puncture your nail bed.If you have a lot of pain in your finger, you can take pain medication.As a trusted friend or loved one, help you out if you can't do it on your own.
Step 10: Clean the nail.
You need to clean the fingernail after the blood has been drained.If you want to clean the fingernail, use a cleansing solution.A ball is created from the top of your finger by Bandage the finger.Better cushion and protection from trauma will be provided by this.Medical tape should be used to secure the base.A figure eight maneuver that goes from your finger to the base of your hand can be used to anchor the gauze.This will help keep the bandage on.
Step 11: You should change the bandages.
If you have a wound on your finger, you should change your dressings every day.If they become dirty before 24 hours have passed, you should change them sooner.You should clean your finger with a sterile solution when you take off the bandage.Ask your doctor if you have stitches.He or she will give you instructions on how to care for the stitches.You should keep them dry and not clean them with any solution.
Step 12: There are signs of an infectious disease.
When you remove the bandages, look for infections on your finger.If there is redness, heat, or drainage in your hand or arm, you should notice it.Infections such as cellulitis, a felon, or other hand infections can develop if you begin to run a fever.
Step 13: Follow up with your doctor.
Follow up with your doctor after you have had a finger injury.Your doctor may schedule this if he or she treated the injury with stitches.When you go through an injury like this, always follow up with your doctor.Make sure you contact the doctor if you have additional symptoms, such as infections, dirt, or pain, and you can't get it out of the wound.If you experience any symptoms of nerve damage, such as a lack of sensation, numbness, or the development of a ball-like scar called a "neuroma", you should contact your doctor.