Taking care of a smashed finger requires a multi-pronged approach that includes the use of a splint or brace, rest, ice, elevation, and medication.
First, you should immobilize the finger with a splint or brace to protect the finger from further injury and to let it heal. Additionally, it is important to rest the finger and avoid strenuous activities that may irritate it.
Second, applying ice to the finger can reduce inflammation and swelling. This can be done every few hours for 15 minutes at a time. Additionally, keeping the finger elevated above the heart will help reduce swelling.
Finally, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation. You may also consider using a topical ointment to accelerate healing, such as Aloe Vera.
By following these steps, you should be able to help your smashed finger heal faster. However, if the pain persists or your finger continues to swell, you may want to talk to your doctor as more severe injuries may require medical attention.
What to put on finger after smashing it?
If you have smashed your finger, the best thing to do is to clean the wound with mild soap and water to help prevent infection. You can apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with discomfort.
If you are experiencing excessive swelling, redness, or pain, or if you can’t move the finger, you should seek medical attention.
In addition to these treatments, you should also keep the injury clean and covered with a light dressing. If a blister forms, do not puncture it. Doing so can cause further injury and expose you to an increased risk of infection.
You can also use a splint or brace to keep the finger immobile during recovery.
If you suspect your finger may be broken, you may want to use a sling to immobilize it. If the fracture is more severe, you may need to receive medical attention, as treatment usually requires a cast, splint, or brace.
Take extra care to protect your injured finger while it heals, and make sure to follow any instructions you are given by your doctor in order to ensure a successful recovery.
Should you relieve the pressure from a smashed finger?
Yes, you should relieve the pressure from a smashed finger as soon as possible. If your finger has been smashed, such as by a hammer, then it may be severely swollen and painful. Applying pressure to the swollen finger can cause further damage and make the pain worse.
To reduce the swelling, apply a cold compress and elevate the finger. You can also wrap the finger in a bandage to cushion it. It is important to seek medical attention if the pain persists or if you cannot move the finger after the pressure has been relieved.
If the finger is swollen, stiff and bruised, or the fingernail is cracked or discolored, then you should have it looked at to determine if it is broken or just badly bruised.
How long does it take for a swollen finger to go down after being smashed?
The amount of time it takes for a swollen finger to go down after being smashed will depend on the severity of the injury. Generally speaking, a bruised or swollen finger should start to feel better within a few days, although it may take up to one or two weeks for the swelling and bruising to completely subside.
If there is pain or discomfort associated with the swollen finger, over-the-counter pain medication may help provide relief until the swelling and bruising subsides. Additionally, keeping the finger elevated and applying cold compresses to the area can also help reduce swelling.
If the swollen finger persists or gets worse, or if there is significant pain, it is recommended to seek medical attention in order to rule out a fracture or any other potentially serious injury.
What to do when you smash your fingernail and it turns black?
If you smash your fingernail and it turns black, it is important to take appropriate action and follow up with medical attention if necessary. The first step is to clean the nail, as dirt and bacteria can limit the speed of healing.
Apply gentle pressure to stop the wound from bleeding and keep it clean. You should also take an over-the-counter painkiller to help reduce inflammation and soothe any pain.
If the nail is swollen or broken, seek medical attention. A doctor will be able to assess the injury and determine whether additional treatment may be required. This may include antibiotics, a tetanus shot, and more intensive injury care to ensure the nail fully heals.
In more extreme cases, a doctor may even surgically remove the nail to prevent any further damage.
Depending on the nature of the injury, the black discoloration may be a sign of a bruise or fracture. In either case, the nail may require special treatment to heal properly.
In general, damaged fingernails require special attention to ensure they can fully heal. It is important to evaluate the extent of the damage and take appropriate measures to ensure the injury heals properly.
Seeking medical attention if necessary can help you prevent any long-term damage or complications.
Will nail fall off if it turns black?
No, a nail will not necessarily fall off if it turns black. In most cases, a black nail is caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This infection can affect both toenails and fingernails, and is usually indicated by a yellow, white, or black discoloration of the nail.
While the discoloration can be alarming, it usually doesn’t cause the nail to detach or fall off—though in severe cases, the nail can become so weak that it will start to separate from the skin at the edge of the nail bed.
There are numerous ways to treat a blackened nail, including topical treatments and oral antifungal medications, so it’s important to visit a doctor if you start to notice discoloration on any of your nails.
How serious is a smashed finger?
A smashed finger can be a very serious injury, depending on the severity of the damage. If a finger was smashed severely, it can cause broken bones, disfigurement, permanent loss of mobility and sensation, as well as nerve damage.
In some cases, the injury can require surgery to repair the damage. However, if the finger was not smashed severely, then it may just cause swelling, tenderness, bruising, or other minor symptoms. In these cases, the finger may heal on its own if it is splinted and the swelling is treated with ice and over the counter pain medications.
If the injury does not heal on its own after a few days, however, or if it is very painful, it is best to see a doctor for an evaluation.
Why did my nail turn black after injury?
When someone experiences an injury to their nail, it may turn black due to a condition known as nail hematoma. This occurs when blood vessels beneath the nail rupture and cause blood to accumulate beneath the nail.
This blood can cause discoloration of the nail, ranging in color from purple, to red, to black. Nail hematoma typically occurs after a trauma or impact to the finger that damages the blood vessels beneath the nail.
Treatment for nail hematoma is typically conservative and may include soaking the finger in warm water, applying ice to the area, or wearing a splint or bandage to protect the finger. In more severe cases where the entire nail is discolored, it may be removed and the area may need to be drained to eliminate the pressure and pain.
Depending on the severity of the discoloration, the nail may grow back in its normal color or with minimal discoloration.
Does a smashed finger need to be drained?
In general, a smashed finger does not need to be drained. In most cases, a smashed finger is treated by controlling the swelling and pain with ice, rest, and elevation followed by a splint or wrap to keep it immobile.
However, if the finger shows signs of infection like swelling, redness, and pain that does not subside with rest and elevation, it may need to be drained. In this type of situation, it is best to seek medical attention from a doctor to determine if the finger needs to be drained.
In some cases, the doctor may decide to drain the finger for better healing and recovery. The drainage may involve making a small incision to remove the fluid, depending on the amount and type of fluid present.
It is important to follow the doctor’s advice regarding treatment.
When should I be worried about a smashed finger?
If you smash your finger, you should be worried if you feel intense pain, if it looks significantly deformed, if you can’t move it, or if you have numbness or tingling around the injured area. You should also seek medical attention if there is any bleeding that won’t stop, if you have a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, if the injury has caused your finger to change color or turn blue, or if the injury is happening close to a joint such as the knuckle.
It is also important to keep an eye on any pain or swelling in the first 24 hours after the injury, and if it worsens, you may need to seek medical attention.
Should you drain blood under fingernail?
No, you should not drain blood from under a fingernail. If you have a blood pocket under your fingernail, the best thing to do is to keep it dry and clean and to avoid picking or poking at the area. It is best to apply an ice pack or a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Keeping the area clean with soap and warm water can also be helpful. If the pocket is deep or has signs of infection, such as drainage or pus, or is causing pain or swelling, it is best to see a doctor.
A medical professional can safely drain the pocket and analyze the sample of the fluid to diagnose the cause and determine if any further treatment is needed.
When is it too late to drain a hematoma?
It can be difficult to determine when it is too late to drain a hematoma. Generally speaking, if the hematoma is larger than five centimeters wide and one centimeter deep, or if it has existed for more than two weeks, draining the hematoma may be too late.
If the hematoma has existed for a long time, the area will usually be quite tender and the hematoma may have become a hard mass. Additionally, if the hematoma has been present for a long time, it is likely that any bleeding has stopped, which is necessary for any successful draining of the hematoma.
Some doctors may also advise against draining a hematoma if it is located near a vital organ or if the patient has a weakened immune system that could put them at risk of infection. It is always best practice to consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
What happens if hematoma is not drained?
If a hematoma is not drained, there can be serious complications. If a hematoma is large and not drained, there is a risk of infection, as a build-up of fluid and blood can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Not draining a hematoma can lead to the hematoma becoming a cyst, filled with fluid and other debris and can lead to a dense fibrosis of the tissue around the hematoma, which can then affect movement in that area.
Also, further injury can occur if the hematoma is left to grow, as the swelling may not allow the person to move a certain part/s of their body which will in turn, cause more injury and further damage to the hematoma area.
In severe cases, the hematoma could even lead to necrosis or tissue death if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to have a hematoma drained if it is large or potentially problematic.
What happens if you don’t evacuate a hematoma?
If a hematoma is not evacuated, serious health problems can arise. A hematoma is a collection of blood that has pooled outside of a damaged blood vessel and is usually caused by trauma or injury. When left untreated, the trapped blood can cause pressure to build up, leading to swelling and pain, and the area may become warm to the touch.
In some cases, the trapped blood can also cause the area to become infected, and the risk of infection increases if the hematoma is left untreated. If the hematoma is in a sensitive area such as the head, neck, or abdomen, it can put pressure on sensitive structures, potentially causing severe medical problems such as breathing and digestive difficulties.
In extreme cases, leaving a hematoma untreated can even cause it to burst, leading to severe blood loss and other medical complications. As a result, it is important to seek medical attention if you suspect a hematoma, and to evacuate it promptly, as this maximizes the chances of a full recovery and minimizes the risk of any complications.
How long is too long for a hematoma?
In general, the larger the hematoma and the more active the person is, the longer it can take for it to heal and disappear. If the hematoma appears to be enlarging, is persistent and painful, and/or causes a significant limitation of activity, it may require treatment.
Any hematoma that lasts beyond 6 weeks warrants close evaluation to determine if further treatment is necessary. Though uncommon, hematomas can become infected and in severe cases, cause dangerous complications.
If the hematoma persists for an extended period of time or if any signs or symptoms of infection develop (fever, redness, increased tenderness, or drainage), medical attention should be sought immediately.