Always be aware of where your hands and those of anyone nearby are placed before shutting doors and other possible crushing culprits. Slow down and take your time. The majority of smashed fingers occur when people are careless and preoccupied. Jo Brielyn began writing professionally in , while serving as a training specialist in the U. Air Force, and became a freelance writer in She is a contributing writer for Hatherleigh Press and has works in several print and online publications.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in education, training and development from Southern Illinois University. Monitor the health of your community here. More Articles. Diseases and Injuries. Written by Jo Brielyn. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. The most common causes of this type of injury are being closed in a car door, hit with a hammer, shut in a drawer or jammed while playing sports.
References NIH U. Wash your injured finger thoroughly. A few days after the injury, you may notice some blood under the nail that looks like a dark-colored discoloration red, maroon, or purple-black. Make sure to wash your hands with mild soap and warm water, then dry them with a clean towel. This will prevent an infection from developing on your fingertip. Disinfect the injured finger with rubbing alcohol.
Apply alcohol by pouring a small amount on a cotton ball to clean the surface of the fingernail and then let it dry. Straighten and sterilize the paperclip. Use a set of pliers to straighten the paperclip completely. Then, dip one end of the paperclip in rubbing alcohol to disinfect it. Heat the paperclip with a match or lighter. Holding the paperclip with pliers, use a flame to heat the end that you disinfected. Do this until the end of the paperclip is red hot.
This will ensure that the paperclip is hot enough to go through the nail and release the blood. Touch the heated paperclip to your injured nail. Carefully press the red hot end of the paperclip on the part of the fingernail where most of the blood has collected. Keep it there until the paperclip has burned through the nail. You want to pierce the nail with the paperclip without burning the skin underneath.
If done successfully, you will see drainage of clear or slightly bloody fluid for 2 to 3 days. This is normal. Soak the finger in warm water daily. After this method is completed, soak the injured finger in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, 3 times a day for days. This will ensure that the injury remains clean and infection is prevented.
Most smashed fingernails tend to feel better within 3 to 4 days. We already struggle to get blood flowing to the tips of our fingers and toes on a good day. Wrapping injured fingers and toes can lead to more damage when vital oxygen and nutrients can't get to the tips. Smashing your finger is just the beginning. After a day or two, blood will likely start to build up under your nail.
You might see the nail turning color—usually dark blue or black—and feel a lot of pressure. This is what happens when a bruise is contained in the tiny space at the tip of a finger. Letting the pressure out will help the healing process and significantly reduce the pain—just make sure you touch base with a healthcare provider before trying to do so.
You'll need a lighter or a candle, a pair of pliers, and either a clean, sterile paper clip or a safety-pin. From here on out, we'll only refer to your tool of choice as a paperclip, but it doesn't matter which one you use. The blood might gush out of the hole once the paperclip burns through.
In time, if the hole closes up again, you can repeat the procedure. This procedure shouldn't hurt much if at all. If the pain is too severe to try this, you'll need to see a healthcare provider. In most smashed finger cases, you don't need to run to the emergency room.
Occasionally, the finger might be broken. There are exceptions to any rule, however, so visit your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:.
If your fingernail falls off, don't panic. It's not ideal, but chances are very good it will grow back without a problem. While it doesn't necessarily mean you should see a healthcare provider, a missing fingernail is at least worth a call to the office. Depending on the extent of the injury, your finger may hurt for a few days or a few weeks. It may also be sensitive for up to a few months. Urgent Medical Center can check and treat your finger, as well as provide X-Rays to determine if your finger is broken.
Visit us today for fast, friendly medical treatment our community has relied on for many years! All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Immediately after smashing your finger in the door you should: -Place an ice pack on your finger s to help alleviate some of the pain and keep down swelling. At Home Self-Care Treatment For Broken Fingers Make sure to take good care of your smashed finger in order to prevent worsening of the injury or the development of an infection.
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