This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition. Exención de responsabilidad en Español | Complete disclaimer
Common injuries include bruises, cuts, torn nails, or jammed fingers. Bruising and swelling is usually caused from the soft tissues and underlying bones being smashed or hit.
In crush injuries (as from slammed car doors), usually the end of the finger or toe receives a few cuts. Occasionally the nail is damaged and the nailbed requires stitches. Rarely is there any fracture of the small underlying bone.
A jammed finger occurs if the end of a straightened finger or thumb receives a blow (usually from a ball). The energy is absorbed by the joint surfaces and the injury occurs at the joint. If a finger is jammed, always check carefully that your child can bend and then fully straighten his or her finger.
Soak it in cold water for 20 minutes. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen as necessary for the pain. Call your child's healthcare provider if the pain is not improving by 3 days.
Soak the hand in cold water for 20 minutes. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen as necessary for the pain. (Avoid aspirin because it may prolong the bleeding.) It's going to be sensitive for the next week, so protect it by "buddy-taping" it to the next finger. A splint could be used but often makes it more prone to getting bumped. Call your child's healthcare provider if the pain is not improving within 3 days.
Before taking care of this yourself, check the guidelines on when to call your child's healthcare provider below.
Soak the hand in cold water for 20 minutes. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen as necessary for the pain. (Avoid aspirin because it may prolong the bleeding.) Call your child's healthcare provider if any signs of infection develop or the pain hasn't improved in 3 days.
These recommendations apply to a nail that has been torn by catching on something. If the nail was torn by a crush injury, your child needs to see a doctor. If the nail is cracked but there are no rough edges, leave it alone.
If the nail is almost torn through or there is a large flap of nail, use sterile scissors or nail clippers to cut along the line of the tear. Pieces of nail taped in place will catch on objects. Soak the finger for 20 minutes in cold water. Apply an antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin or Betadine) and cover it with a Band-Aid. Each day, remove the dressing and soak the finger in a warm salt solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt to a pint of water).
By the seventh day, the nailbed should be covered with new skin, and both the soaking and the bandaging can be stopped. A new nail will grow in over the next 1 to 2 months. Call your child's healthcare provider if you see any signs of infection.
Wash the wound vigorously with soap and water for 5 minutes. Then apply pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop bleeding. Leave the area exposed to the air.
These wounds are deep scrapes of the upper surfaces of fingers or toes. Wash the wound vigorously for 5 minutes with water and liquid soap. Scrubbing with a sterile gauze may be necessary to get all the dirt out. Flaps of skin (especially if they are dirty) should be cut off with sterile scissors. When the wound is clean, apply pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop any bleeding. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a Band-Aid. Remove the dressing and clean the wound each day. Call your child's healthcare provider if you see any signs of infection.
In most cases, the ring can be saved rather than cut off. The key to removing the ring is reducing the swelling of the finger. Soak the hand in cold water for 5 minutes. Then hold it (with all the fingers straightened) high in the air. Then put a glass cleaner or cooking oil on the finger. While the hand is still held up in the air, push the ring with steady upward pressure until it slides off. If it won't slide off, call your child's healthcare provider immediately before the swelling gets worse.
Call IMMEDIATELY if:
Call during office hours if:
