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May 20, 2013
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Finger Injuries (cont.)

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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.

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Finger Injuries - Causes

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What caused your finger injuries?

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Jammed Finger »

The layman's term "jammed finger" often refers to injuries that are incurred around the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the fingers

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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