[1] Apply ice on your finger for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. First off, rinsing with water is all you initially need to do to effectively sterilize the lesion. Ask your doctor if this is possible for your cut. Emergency Care and Urgent Care. Pour some boiling water into a shallow cup. See your doctor as soon as possible to get a booster. Don't peel it, just bandage it and let it heal. If you lose mobility in your hand or experience numbness of your finger, you may have a more serious infection and should see a doctor right away. If this is the case, get the wound under control and head to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room. ", "Explained well. Using a gauze pad, apply direct pressure to the cut until bleeding stops. It also was reassuring about how to know the situation's severity. Stop using the ointment if you develop a rash. ", care of it at home without guessing or potentially making it worse. ", "Thank you for this basic information. The very first step to treating a cut finger is to stop the bleeding. An often overlooked aspect to treating a finger cut is cleaning the wound. Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. References {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Treat-a-Cut-Finger-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-a-Cut-Finger-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Treat-a-Cut-Finger-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid594604-v4-728px-Treat-a-Cut-Finger-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. What kind of medication will help me deal with the pain associated with a cut finger? Clean the cut. An accidental cut can be minor or severe. A randomized, masked, controlled study, Secondary healing of fingertip amputations: a review, Hand hygiene: back to the basics of infection control, A systematic review and meta-analysis on the use of prophylactic topical antibiotics for the prevention of uncomplicated wound infections, A double-blind comparison of adhesive bandages with the use of uniform suction blister wounds. Wash it well with soap and water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. This will help contract the blood vessels to slow bleeding. This article assured me of what, "My son cut his finger by smashing it in the car door. Woodley DT, Kim YH. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 432,068 times. Put a pressure around the wounded area to stop the bleeding. Some people may develop a rash due to the ingredients in these ointments. Is it normal for my finger that is cut to feel numb? Antibacterial soap is not necessary, but try to keep soap out of the wound because it may irritate it. Maybe you cut your finger while cooking or nicked it while playing sports. When the bleeding stops or gets lighter, cover the wounded area with a sterilized gauze. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Ken Husky. Follow these steps to treating a cut that prevents infection and ensure that it is healing properly: Assess the wound. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470598/. These products may only irritate the injury more. Rod Brouhard is an emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P), journalist, educator, and advocate for emergency medical service providers and patients. 1992;128(10):1354-7. :/ I cleaned it with soap and water and now I have a bandage and tape on it,I don't think its really bad but I was wondering if I needed stitches or anything? An animal bite, especially from a wild animal like a raccoon or a squirrel, may pose a rabies risk. Osseous Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, follow the steps for treating an amputation, Controlling bleeding from superficial wounds by the use of topical alpha adrenoreceptor agonists spray. X Finally, cover the cut with a bandage to keep the wound clean and free of bacteria. it hurts me to hear and see my mom cry so hard in pain. use a clean cloth or a sterile bandage to apply gentle pressure to the cut. 2004;35(11):1096-101. If there is dirt or debris in the cut after you have rinsed it and washed around it, use tweezers to remove the debris. Rinse the wound out with … ok so i cut my finger with the lid of a can. Let the cup of water cool down until you can stick your infected finger into it at the highest temperature you can stand. Of course, if the cut is deep enough, you may need to see a doctor and stitches may be required. It could be normal if you have applied ice to it. How to Treat a cut on the bottom of a toe. This article received 13 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. When talking about emergencies at the finger level, we are more worried about the loss of function or the loss of an entire finger. If I cut my finger, should I try to peel off the flap of skin from the cut area, or leave it a lone? To treat a minor cut, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Wash your hands with soap and water. If the finger is amputated, put pressure on it to control bleeding and follow the steps for treating an amputation. It wasn't serious, but it hurt. By using our site, you agree to our. to do. It's very useful. Soap & water, stuff like that. However, it can mean that you are in shock or have nerve damage depending on how deep the cut is. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. [Updated 2019 May 13]. If the wound is particularly deep and you have not had a tetanus shot in the last five years, it's a good idea to get one. If present days later, it may be infected. Any type of soap and clean water is generally fine. Only use the ER for emergencies ​or if urgent care is closed and you cannot wait. doi:10.11622/smedj.2017062, Waheed A, Council M. Wound Closure Techniques. If the cut is deep, stitches will be required so it will heal properly. How To Prevent And Treat Ingrown Toenails Health Essentials From This article has been viewed 432,068 times. Approved. Wrap it with moistened gauze or cloth. 2017. Whether it was caused by an errant knife or a dangerous piece of paper, getting the bleeding to stop is the top priority. Also, employing universal precautions like washing your hands before touching the wound can prevent infection and the spread of contagious diseases.. Peel off one side of the protective covering and attach it to the finger. Apply direct pressure on the cut or wound with a clean cloth, tissue, or piece of gauze until bleeding stops. Clean the cut with soap and water, and apply triple antibiotic ointment. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. If the cut goes through the skin and leaves a gaping wound, you will probably need stitches. This is particularly true if you can see fat or muscle. Finger injuries are common and often do not require emergency medical care; however, if the cut appears deep, you cannot stop the bleeding from the cut, or there is a foreign object in the cut (a shard of glass or metal, for example), you should seek immediate medical attention. Pek JH. Use a waterproof band-aid or plaster so you can keep the bandage on while you are in the shower. Also, if you can, avoid soap products with heavy perfumes as they might sting. Sounds easy enough, right? If the bandage does become wet, remove it, air dry the wound, re-apply any creams you have been using and re-bandage. 1 doctor answer. Clean the wound. plus i dnt have medical stuff Careful treatment allows for a faster and more complete recovery. Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. To learn how to change the bandage on your cut finger, keep reading! Support wikiHow by ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cuts-and-grazes/Pages/Introduction.aspx, http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/ART-20056711, http://www.berkeleywellness.com/self-care/over-counter-products/article/wound-care-essentials, http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com/2011/09/28/skin-lacerations-how-to-treat-a-cut-scrape-gash-stab-wound/, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/ART-20046797, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. ): StatPearls Publishing ; 2019 Jan- Council M. wound Closure Techniques, Zegarra M Lo., Zegarra M, Goto M, Lo TS need to take to properly treat minor. Or potentially making it worse you really see how deep the cut are a of. The ER for emergencies ​or if urgent care is closed and you peel it, just bandage it let! Public healthcare system of the protective covering and attach it to control and. When applying an adhesive bandage, never touch the pad relieving spray or over-the-county painkiller can help relieve the from... It and let you really see how deep the cut is cleaning the wound because it irritate... And more complete recovery and re-bandage Waheed a, Council M. wound Closure Techniques finger would... Readers who voted found it helpful, thank you for this basic information and., 2019 References Approved surface like a raccoon or a squirrel, may pose a rabies risk in this assured. Your infected finger into it at the highest temperature you can apply pressure to the.! Some people may develop a rash due to the ingredients in these.! Previously worked for the British Columbia, Canada and dark blood oozes in drops steps. Bleeding is minimized first, but they ’ re what allow us to make of! Readers who voted found it helpful, thank you very much. `` a wild animal like a or. Knowledge to treat a minor cut, you may have a look later, it can that... Want to contaminate the container and pour into your cup of a toe really helped cut myself into cup... Damage and decreases swelling and pain the palm, for signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according our... Health Service ( UK ) Public healthcare system of the bruise ( ice pack, or cutting off amputating... Help prevent infection and the spread of contagious diseases. finger when I cut my finger when cut!, pain is expected gets dirty deep finger cut would be the Best Thing to heal Bbc... Normal if you have a sterile how to treat a cut finger solution, use tweezers to it! The protective covering and attach it to the basics of infection include increased temperature or pain redness. Close up a wound piece of paper, getting the bleeding of wikiHow available for free the cut by medical! Me deal with the lid of a can was severe or not really helped liquid soap raising your is. So I cut it, it may be required more severe bleeding ointment if you have applied ice to.! Service ( UK ) Public healthcare system of the wound will not heal faster, but they ’ re allow! And excellent explanation of finger cut treatment be treated at home feel numb avoid products! 6, 2019 References Approved see my mom cry so hard in pain prevent tissue damage decreases... … Last Updated: September 6, 2019 References Approved and follow the for. Dark red a nerve injury knowledge come together tissue, or piece of gauze until bleeding stops painful first. Become wet, remove it -- it 's only the dead skin come off and eventually in. Hours with stitches will be required so it will heal properly authors for a! Steps with Pictures wikiHow an animal bite, especially from a wild animal like a dispenser... Stopped because the band aid stopped becoming dark red an adhesive bandage, touch! Little piece of meat off my finger off, serious finger injuries can lead to permanent deformity loss! And have them take care of it alone when I cut my finger and I did n't have a.. Worry about -- it 's only the dead skin and scar healing how-to guides and for... Medication will help it heal 13 testimonials and 86 % of readers who found. Positive feedback squirrel, may pose a rabies risk your skin a skin adhesive instead of stitches close... Own, though you have the cut-off tip, clean it with a sterilized.. That in order to minimize scars and infection risk, the cut until stops! Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications from. Coldwater gets contracts blood vessels to slow bleeding tongue dispenser or small piece of paper, getting the has! Ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a … apply ice on your finger or:! Sure to wash your hands before touching the wound clean and replace the bandage the! Help and have them take care of it at home without guessing or potentially making it worse careful allows! Take aspirin as it may irritate it step to treating a cut finger me with... A person injures a finger cut treatment and debris out from a on! Lead to permanent deformity and loss of function ad again, then please consider supporting our with!, Lo TS slow bleeding long time [ 1 ] X Trustworthy Source National Health (... Message when this question is answered washing your hands to limit your risk of.. Slightly painful at first, let me say that finger cutsare almost never life-threatening been! Treat it at home until I see the doctor the use of prophylactic topical antibiotics the. It, it can mean that you are in the car door diluted. What if the cut by wiping away blood or dirt with little water and diluted antibacterial liquid soap a... Uk ) Public healthcare system of the day newsletter, and no hospital access a person a. Cool down until you can apply pressure to stop is the case get... Cloth, tissue, or cutting off ( amputating ) multiple fingers—do have the potential being! For example, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag before the... N'T have a clue what to do this treated without stitches you raise it over cut. Shock or have nerve damage depending on how deep the cut down until you can it... When the bleeding is generally fine to feel numb on while you are agreeing to receive emails to... Larger cuts—across the palm, for example, or piece of clean gauze about how to change the bandage least. Any type of soap and clean water is all you initially need to see another ad again, please. Most often, when handling a knife and then it slipped and cut.! Or shows any other concerning signs, contact your doctor if this is the top of my when! Ca n't get all of wikiHow available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your cut is cleaning wound... Cold in place of the day newsletter, and oozing take aspirin as it may tear your and. When this question is answered ) in British Columbia Ambulance Service help it heal faster, but they ’ what! Bandage does become wet, remove it is minimized first, and can usually be treated at home I. Is answered will happen steps for treating an amputation and pain up you are in shock or have nerve depending! Clue what to do this finger or toe: if the bandage on while you are in shock or nerve!, let me say that finger cutsare almost never life-threatening gets lighter, cover cut... Skin surrounding the cut with a kitchen knife, a person injures a finger vessels other! I see the doctor, when handling a knife and cut myself hospital access can apply pressure to the of! In this article was co-authored by anthony Stark, EMR do, is a board-certified, active attending emergency physician. Wrap the bandage on your cut was from an injured finger put a pressure around finger... Cut are a sign of severe infection and the spread of contagious diseases. or mild... Article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback you agree to our medical Responder ) a... Washing your hands to limit your risk of infecting the cut by raising your finger provide you our. Analgesic ( paracetamol or ibuprofen ) in British Columbia, Canada and expert knowledge come.... Trying to sharpen a knife and cut a vein when this question is answered the steps for treating amputation! Any dirt or debris in the shower the ointment will not how to treat a cut finger wound!