FINGER OR TOE INJURY
Injury Definition
- Injuries to fingers or toes.
Types of Finger / Toe Injuries
- Cuts, scrapes (skinned knuckles) and bruises: 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.
- Hand or wrist injury, see ARM INJURY
- Foot or ankle injury, see LEG INJURY
- Fractures or dislocations.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR
Call your doctor now (night or day) 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
- Dirt or grime in wound isn't 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 less than 1 year old.
Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9am and 4pm) if:
- You think your child needs to be seen.
Call your doctor during weekday office hours if:
- You have other questions or concerns
- Pain not improving after 3 days
- Not using finger or toe normally after 1 week
Parent care at home if:
- Mild finger or toe injury and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
HOME CARE ADVICE
- 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.
- Cover any cuts with an antibiotic ointment and Band-Aaid. Change daily
- 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.
- Shoes: If regular shoes cause too much pain, wear open-toe sandals with a firm sole until the injury heals.
- 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
And remember, contact your doctor if your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
REFERENCES
- Ablove RH, Moy OJ, Peimer CA. Pediatric hand disease: Diagnosis and treatment. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1998; 45:1507-1524.
- Wang M, Schott J, Tunnessen WW: Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001;155:515-516.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.