Finger or Toe Trauma
Injury Definition
Injuries to fingers or toes. The following types of injuries are covered:
- 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 (a traumatic arthritis)
- 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 last digit 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
- Subungual hematoma (a 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 symptoms
- Fractures or dislocations
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
- You think your child has a serious injury
- 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 from a crush injury or cut
- 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 less then 1 year old
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If
- You think your child needs to be seen
Parent Care at Home If
- Mild finger or toe injury and you don’t think your child needs to be seen
Home Care Advice for
- Bruised/Swollen Finger (or toe)
- Soak in cold water for 20 minutes
- Give acetaminophen 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 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 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 or ibuprofen as needed for pain relief
- Call Your Doctor If
- Pain becomes severe
- Not using the finger or toe normally after 1 week
- Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms