Finger injuries include fractures, sprains, tendon injuries, nail injuries, lacerations, burns, and amputations. Minor injuries can be treated with soap and water, while severe injuries may require medical attention. Immediate emergency treatment is needed for amputations or partial amputations.
The different types of finger injuries include fractures, in which a bone, or a number of bones, in the finger breaks; sprains, which occur when ligaments are torn; tendon injuries, which are similar to sprains; and injury to the nail, which can cause it to break, crush, or fall off. Also, lacerations (cuts) on the fingers are common, some of them very minor, others that may require stitches. Finger burns are also very common. In the most extreme cases, an amputation or partial amputation can certainly be considered a type of finger injury.
Finger lacerations and burns are some of the most frequent finger injuries, often resulting from unsafe behavior while cooking in the kitchen or when grilling outdoors. As long as these lacerations aren’t serious, they can usually be treated with soap and water to remove any debris, as well as covered with antibacterial gel and a bandage. A burn can be run under cold water and then covered with aloe vera gel. If a laceration or burn is severe, however, you may need to go to a doctor or hospital for treatment such as stitches.
Some of the more serious finger injuries include breaks, sprains, and tendon damage, which often occur when the finger is bent at an unnatural angle or bumped into a door, for example. A break can usually be set back and then braced with a pinky finger or hand splint, there is usually no need to put a cast on the area unless it is a compound fracture where the bone passes through the skin . One way to keep a finger motionless on the way to the doctor is to tape a popsicle stick to it or simply tape it to the next finger. Tendon sprains or strains may also require a splint. Serious nail injuries typically just take time to heal, as well as cleaning the area regularly and keeping it from becoming infected, which is true of any injury where the skin is broken.
Amputations or partial amputations require immediate emergency treatment. Pressure should be applied to the wound to stop the bleeding, and the severed finger should be kept on ice during the trip to the hospital. Overall, be sure to treat any toe injuries promptly when they occur, and see a doctor if they don’t seem to be improving, to avoid causing permanent damage or a serious infection.
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