Finger or Toe Injury
Description
Injuries to fingers or toes.
Types of Finger/Toe Injuries
- Cuts, scrapes (skinned knuckles) and bruises are the most common injuries
- Jammed finger or toe:
- The end of a straightened finger or thumb receives a blow (usually from a ball)
- The energy is absorbed by the joints' surfaces and the injury occurs there
- For jammed fingers, always check carefully that the end of the finger can be fully straightened
- Crushed or smashed fingertip or toe (e.g. from car door or screen door):
- Usually the end of the finger receives a few cuts or a blood blister
- Occasionally the nail is damaged, but fractures are unusual
- Fingernail injury: If the nailbed is cut, it needs sutures to prevent a permanently deformed fingernail. This is less important for toenails
- Blood clot under the nail:
- Usually caused by a crush injury from a door or a heavy object falling on the finger while it is on a firm surface
- Many are only mildly painful
- Some are severely painful and throbbing. These need the pressure released to prevent loss of the fingernail and to relieve the pain
- Fractures or dislocations
When to Call Your Doctor for Finger or Toe Injury
Call Your Doctor Now If:
- You think your child has a serious injury
- Bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
- Looks like a broken bone or dislocated joint
- Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
- Large swelling is present
- Blood that's present under a nail is quite painful
- Fingernail is torn
- Dirt or grime in the wound is not removed after 15 minutes of scrubbing
- Finger joint can't be opened (straightened) and closed (bent) completely
- Toe injury that causes bad limp or can't wear shoes
- Severe pain
- Age < 1 year old
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:
- You think your child needs to be seen
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:
- You have other questions or concerns
Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):
Bruised / Swollen Finger (or toe)
- Soak in cold water for 20 minutes
- Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen as necessary for pain relief
Superficial Cuts
- Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop any bleeding
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes
- For any dirt in the wound, scrub gently
Jammed Finger (or toe)
- Caution: be certain range of motion is normal (can bend and straighten each finger)
- Soak the hand (or foot) in cold water for 20 minutes
- Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen as necessary for pain relief
- If the pain is more than mild, protect it by "buddy-taping" it to the next finger
Smashed or Crushed Fingertip (or toe)
- Wash the finger (or toe) with soap and water for 5 minutes
- Trim any small pieces of torn skin with a scissors cleaned with rubbing alcohol
- Cover any cuts with an antibiotic ointment and Band-Aid. Change daily
- Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen as necessary for pain relief
Torn Nail (from catching it on something)
- For a cracked nail without rough edges, leave it alone
- For a large flap of nail that's almost torn through, use a sterile scissors to cut it off along the line of the tear. (Reason: pieces of nail taped in place will catch on objects)
- Soak the finger (or toe) for 20 minutes in cold water for pain relief
- Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a Band-Aid. Change daily
- After about 7 days, the nailbed should be covered by new skin and no longer hurt. A new nail will grow in over 6 to 8 weeks
Pain Medicine
Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen as needed for pain relief.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Pain not improving after 3 days
- Not using the finger or toe normally after 1 week
- Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms
Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2006.