What do you do if you hit your finger and it gets swollen?
Apply an ice pack to decrease swelling. Be sure to wrap the pack in a clean cloth first to prevent cold injury to the skin. Over-the-counter pain medicines may help relieve discomfort. If pain becomes severe, with blood under the fingernail, call your provider.
What does it mean when you hit your finger and it swells?
A jammed finger is typically a sprain to the joint or knuckle, of the finger. There may also be a small fracture or dislocation of the joint. The injury can be extremely painful, and the joint usually becomes swollen.
How long does swelling last after smashing a finger?
The fingertip will usually stay a little bit swollen permanently, but it should not interfere with function. It will take longer than you think is reasonable, about six to twelve months, for the swelling to go down as much as it will.
What happens when you hit your finger too hard?
Any trauma or injury to your finger can lead to: severe finger pain, especially aching and throbbing pain. inflammation (pain, redness, and swelling) difficulty using the finger tip.
How long should swelling last after an injury?
Phase 2: Inflammation (swelling)
Inflammation starts within the first hour or two after injury, peaks within 1-3 days but lasts at least a couple of weeks. This phase is when you will experience swelling and some heat around your injury. This is entirely normal and a natural part of your body’s tissue healing process.
When should you go to the hospital for a finger injury?
After an injury, if swelling and pain still limit the use of your fingers, or your fingers become numb, then you will want to seek medical attention. If your injury includes crushed tissue, laceration, exposed bone, you must go to the emergency room or seek medical care immediately.
Should you relieve the pressure from a smashed finger?
If you smash a finger, the first step is to relieve the swelling and pain with an ice pack, elevation, and an over-the-counter painkiller if needed. Moving the finger helps promote circulation. If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless your doctor gives you the OK.
Should I be worried about swollen fingers?
Swollen fingers, or the enlargement of the fingers of the hand, can be a sign of fluid retention or inflammation of the fingers. In some cases, swollen fingers can improve without medical intervention; in other cases, treatment of the underlying cause may be necessary.
Should I wrap a smashed finger?
Caring for a Smashed Finger
Apply an antibiotic and a bandage. If the skin is open the finger may need stitches. Wrap the finger in a sterile bandage and see a doctor right away if bleeding doesn’t stop.
How can I tell if my finger is broken or jammed?
A person may hear a cracking or popping noise with finger movement if they have a broken finger. A doctor will also ask the person to try to move their finger. A jammed finger will usually have some range of motion, but if a person has a broken finger, they will hardly be able to move it.
How do you know if swelling is serious?
Internal swelling is often a side effect of a medication or the result of a serious injury. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience rapid, unexplainable swelling, especially if you also experience unexplained weight gain and pain.
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These include:
- itching.
- vomiting.
- flatulence.
- pain in the affected area.
What make swelling go down fast?
Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling. It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism. Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area.
Should I go to the doctor for a swollen finger?
A person can treat some of the causes of a swollen finger at home. However, people should seek medical advice as soon as possible if they suspect that the finger is broken or dislocated or if there is any sign of infection.
Should I go to the ER for a swollen finger?
Elevate the finger to decrease swelling. If the finger is not elevated, it may become more swollen and harder to treat. Apply a splint or brace, if available. If the pain is too much and you cannot stand the pain, seek medical attention in a clinic or emergency room.
Should I go to the doctor if I smashed my finger?
In most cases, a smashed finger won’t require a doctor’s visit. With that said, it may be necessary if the injury is severe or there are signs of a fracture or infection. The finger is bent and cannot be straightened. The skin is broken and you can see bone.
Can a smashed finger cause a blood clot?
A blood clot can form after a trauma to the finger damages blood vessels or breaks a bone. Examples include: a heavy object falling on the fingers, like when you accidentally hit your finger with a hammer. a crush injury, such as when you get your finger caught in a car door.
How do you tell if finger is broken or sprained?
While jammed fingers are less serious than a fracture, you will still experience bruising and swelling; and even with a broken bone, you may have a limited range of motion. If you injured your hand and are experiencing swelling and bruising, the best way to know for sure is to get an x-ray of your fingers.
Why is my finger swollen and hurts to bend?
You may have a torn a ligament or sprained your finger. Or injured a tendon, or dislocated or even broken a bone. If the injury isn’t too bad, ice, rest, and over-the counter pain medicine may be enough. See your doctor if you can’t straighten your finger, have a fever, or you’re in great pain.
How do you treat a slammed finger?
Immediately after the trauma occurs, you should soak the smashed finger in cold water and take some acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce the pain and swelling. As you take these steps, assess the injury to determine whether you need to consult with a healthcare practitioner.
What is a jammed finger look like?
A particular type of finger sprain known as a jammed finger is a common injury for ball sport athletes, such as basketball and volleyball players.
The Difference Between a Jammed and Broken Finger.
| Jammed Finger | Broken Finger |
|---|---|
| Finger able to bend | Finger unable to bend |
| Swelling recedes after a few hours | Swelling persists |
What helps swelling go down?
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Movement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart.
- Elevation.
- Massage.
- Compression.
- Protection.
- Reduce salt intake.
Does swelling mean healing?
While most people become alarmed when the body shows signs of swelling, it’s important to remember that this is a natural part of the healing process. When swelling occurs, it’s just the body requesting reinforcements to speed up the healing process.
Does ibuprofen help swelling?
Unlike acetaminophen, ibuprofen acts as an anti-inflammatory drug, which means it reduces inflammation and swelling.
How do I know if my finger pain is serious?
See a GP if:
pain in your finger is stopping you doing normal activities. the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back. the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks. you’ve noticed a tingling in your hand or your hand is starting to feel numb.