Finger Injuries Treatment

Self-Care at Home

• Control bleeding by direct, continuous pressure for at least several minutes. Elevate the hand above the level of the heart to help slow the bleeding.
  
  
• Find torn or missing tissue and save it, if possible.
  
  
  • Gently rinse the tissue off with water if it is very dirty, and place it in a sealed plastic bag.
    
    
  • Place the bag on ice water and bring it to the hospital with the patient.
    
    
  • Cover the wound with a clean, dry bandage.
  
  
• Remove loose dirt or foreign bodies.
  
  
  • Do not try to remove objects that are deeply or firmly embedded.
    
    
  • Run the patient's hand under plain tap water for several minutes, scrubbing gently with a washcloth if needed to remove dirt.
    
    
  • Dry and then apply an antibacterial ointment.
  
  
• If the finger is obviously deformed, immobilize it with a splint in whatever position is least painful.
  
  
  • Almost any small rigid item such as a popsicle stick, a pen, or a piece of cardboard can be tied or taped to the finger as a splint.
    
    
  • A finger can also be buddy-taped-that is, taped to the finger next to it.