When to Seek Medical Care

Because the hand is a finely coordinated tool that must function correctly for so many everyday activities, even a relatively minor finger injury can lead to some loss of function. If in doubt, consult a doctor. Also contact a doctor if the patient is not sure whether they have had your tetanus immunization in the last 10 years. Always see medical care if the following occur:

• If there is severe pain or deformity
  
  
• If there is uncontrolled bleeding
  
  
• If there is numbness (loss of sensation)
  
  
• If the finger is pale or bluish in color
  
  
• If there are exposed bones or tendons

Go to a hospital's emergency department if these conditions develop:

• The patient has heavy bleeding or bleeding that does not stop.
  
  
• There is obvious missing tissue or amputation.
  
  
• There is obvious deformity of the finger.
  
  
• A cut gapes open or goes deeper than the very top layer of skin.
  
  
• The patient is unable to completely clean out the dirt or foreign bodies from a wound.
  
  
• There is an area of numbness or weakness.
  
  
• The patient is unable to use the finger normally.
  
  
• The patient develops redness, drainage, pus, swelling, or other signs of infection.