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When to Seek Medical Care

Anyone with a hand injury should consider calling a doctor or seeking medical attention. The potential for devastating injuries increases greatly when medical attention is delayed. Even the smallest cut or seemingly innocent hand injury could require advanced treatment to prevent significant loss of function.

Any cut or gash, which may require stitches to repair, warrants a medical evaluation. If you're in doubt about whether the cut you have needs to be closed with stitches, call your doctor for guidance.

Minor burns do not require immediate medical evaluation. If you have any doubt, call your doctor.

Injuries to the hand causing the following symptoms generally require emergency medical attention at a hospital's Emergency Department.

• Severe bleeding
  
  
• Numbness
  
  
• Loss of motion or strength
  
  
• Severe pain
  
  
• Obvious deformity or amputation
  
  
• Any of the signs of infection, such as tenderness, local warmth, redness, swelling, pus, or fever
  
  
• Exposure of underlying structures, such as tendons, bones, joints, arteries, veins, or nerves
  
  
• Seek emergency medical care in these situations:
  
  
  • Fractures, dislocations, and amputations require immediate care.
    
    
  • Any deep, gaping (open), or dirty cuts require prompt medical care.
    
    
  • With burns, if the skin is disrupted or if the burn goes completely around a finger, hand, or wrist, seek immediate care.