It helped me a lot! The first step to treating a cut finger is to stop the bleeding. Remove all rings or jewelry from an injured finger. A randomized, masked, controlled study. It could be normal if you have applied ice to it. Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Is it normal for my finger that is cut to feel numb? If I didn't clean my finger when I cut it, what will happen? You most likely are not going to … If the bleeding is heavy, bright red, or spurting, then, If the finger is amputated, put pressure on it to control bleeding and. Using a gauze pad, apply direct pressure to the cut until bleeding stops. doi:10.1007/s11552-014-9663-5, Mathur P. Hand hygiene: back to the basics of infection control. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. You have attempted to cut the tip of your finger off with a very sharp blade. Avoid warm or hot water as it may tear your tissues and cause more severe bleeding. If you can't get all of it, you might need a doctor to do this. Take an analgesic (paracetamol or ibuprofen) in a dose appropriate for age. How To Treat A Minor Cut 13 Steps With Pictures Wikihow . Coldwater gets contracts blood vessels each other and stops bleeding. To treat a minor cut, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Wash your hands with soap and water. Cuts and Scrapes: First Aid. Will the dead skin come off and eventually fill in? If this is the case, get the wound under control and head to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room. Cuts Or Lacerations Treatment First Ad Infection Stop Bleeding . If I cut my finger, should I try to peel off the flap of skin from the cut area, or leave it a lone? Attach the injured finger to the other finger. 2004;35(11):1096-101. In this first step you'll want to wrap your finger and hold it above you're head like you've been taught to do. Putting a finger in Coldwater can stop this bleeding. Infect Drug Resist. Clean the cut. It wasn't serious, but it hurt. Merck Manual Professional Version. Cover the wound with breathable gauze or bandage, which does not only give moist environment for faster wound healing, but also prevents the wound from infection. she sliced her finger starting from the tip of her fingernail to the end of her fingernail, then halfway down the finger's depth. :/ 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? Exposing it to the air will speed up healing. http://www.piedmont.org/livingbetter However, doctors can sometimes use a skin adhesive instead of stitches to close up a wound. 2018;11:417–425. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.90985. ", "Extremely helpful, thank you very much.". The surgical approach for slicing injuries is to place a skin graft on the sliced fingertip. Thank you. Clean the wound. Use a waterproof band-aid or plaster so you can keep the bandage on while you are in the shower. If the finger is amputated, put pressure on it to control bleeding and follow the steps for treating an amputation. 1992;128(10):1354-7. Published 2018 Mar 16. doi:10.2147/IDR.S151293. 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. When talking about emergencies at the finger level, we are more worried about the loss of function or the loss of an entire finger. Accidents happen and it's not uncommon to cut yourself with a knife in the kitchen or while working on a project around the house. Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. When the bleeding stops or gets lighter, cover the wounded area with a sterilized gauze. Types of cuts. If you notice any of these or anything else that seems abnormal, see your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic as soon as possible. how to treat a cut on my finger that pains badly? This, "Great article! Any type of soap and clean water is generally fine. Thank you. [1] One way to stop bleeding from a small, simple cut is to run it under cold water. the bleeding has stopped so what do i do to prevent infection. To learn how to change the bandage on your cut finger, keep reading! A systematic review and meta-analysis on the use of prophylactic topical antibiotics for the prevention of uncomplicated wound infections. It's nothing to worry about -- it's only the dead skin and scar healing. it hurts me to hear and see my mom cry so hard in pain. [Updated 2019 May 13]. This article was co-authored by Anthony Stark, EMR. To learn how to change the bandage on your cut finger, keep reading! Cover with a … ", "Thank you for this basic information. Also, if you can, avoid soap products with heavy perfumes as they might sting. Keep the wound clean and replace the bandage at least once a day or whenever it gets dirty. Singapore Med J. Whether it was caused by an errant knife or a dangerous piece of paper, getting the bleeding to stop is the top priority. This article has been viewed 432,068 times. You know, those painful little slits that look like tiny paper cuts, but feel like major surgery. Whether it's an emergency or not depends on how long, how deep and where the cut is. Instead, put the ointment on a Q-tip or another clean, disposable surface like a tongue dispenser or small piece of clean gauze. References If the wound is large and untreated, you may have a nerve injury. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. This article was extremely helpful on how I can properly take, "I cut my finger with a knife and I wanted to make sure that I was taking care of the wound the right way. Red streaks radiating from the cut are a sign of severe infection and medical attention should be sought immediately. January 2019. A double-blind comparison of adhesive bandages with the use of uniform suction blister wounds. Running water over your cut may be slightly painful at first, but it should subside quickly. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Indian J Med Res. Go to source. Controlling bleeding from superficial wounds by the use of topical alpha adrenoreceptor agonists spray. Wash it well with soap and water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Should your finger is deeply cut which results in split up finger skin, wash the cut under running cool water. Using some sort of … Properly closing a deep wound within a few hours with stitches will minimize scarring and reduce your risk of infection. Never squeeze ointment directly onto the cut because you don't want to contaminate the container. 1 decade ago. Cuts on the face (even if they're only 1/4 inch long) and in areas that are taut or that stretch with movement, like the palm side of the hands and fingers. ", care of it at home without guessing or potentially making it worse. Apply direct pressure on the cut or wound with a clean cloth, tissue, or piece of gauze until bleeding stops. When the cut is completely clean and the bleeding has stopped, apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream on the cut to prevent infection. Dip the tweezers in rubbing alcohol to sanitize it before you use it on your cut. Vein cuts will stop bleeding after about 10 minutes, with the proper care, and can usually be treated at home. First off, rinsing with water is all you initially need to do to effectively sterilize the lesion. This article was co-authored by Anthony Stark, EMR. How should I take care of … Thank, "I was playing with a knife and cut myself. The Mayo Clinic recommends that in order to minimize scars and infection risk, the wound should be closed within a few hours. Follow these steps to treating a cut that prevents infection and ensure that it is healing properly: Assess the wound. Applying soap or hydrogen peroxide can actually irritate the wound, and should only be used to clean the skin surrounding the cut. Make sure the bleeding is minimized first, and get to a doctor. If there is dirt or debris in the cut after you have rinsed it and washed around it, use tweezers to remove the debris. Here is what to do: The Mayo Clinic suggests that you should not use hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or any cleanser that contains iodine. Antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin or Polysporin, is not necessary for the vast majority of minor cuts. However, if you'll be out in the dirt and grime, it may not be a bad idea. You do not need to use hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, iodine, or an iodine-based cleanser on the cut, as these products can be irritating to the damaged tissue. Support wikiHow by Thank you. Ask your doctor if this is possible for your cut. Favourite answer. Wash around the wound with soap. I was home alone when I cut my finger and I didn't have a clue what to do. Mayo Clinic Staff. A Piedmont emergency medicine physician explains the steps you need to take to properly treat a cut. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. 2011;134(5):611–620. Finally, cover the cut with a bandage to keep the wound clean and free of bacteria. If your cut is large, deep, continues to hurt or shows any other concerning signs, contact your doctor. See your doctor as soon as possible to get a booster. An accidental cut can be minor or severe. It also was reassuring about how to know the situation's severity. "I cut my finger fairly deeply today with a kitchen knife, and no hospital access. It may be infected. Answer Save. If you have access to disposable medical gloves, put one on your uninjured hand to prevent exposing the cut to the bacteria on your hand. How to Treat a cut on the bottom of a toe. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Studies have shown that there is no significant difference if you use antiseptic solutions like hydrogen peroxide or antimicrobial soap for a generally clean cut. Treat with antibiotic ointment. Wrap the bandage around the finger and remove the other covering as you go. You should get it checked by a medical professional immediately if the numbness persists. ", 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. Adhesive bandages protect the cut from contamination. They are not necessary for many minor cuts and scrapes unless there's a potential that it can get dirty or irritated. Secondary healing of fingertip amputations: a review. X Let the cup of water cool down until you can stick your infected finger into it at the highest temperature you can stand. 4 The amputated Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Gently clean the cut by wiping away blood or dirt with little water and diluted antibacterial liquid soap. The first step with either is to try to stop the bleeding. This will give you a clearer view of how deep the cut is: If you are not the injured person, it's best to use protective gloves if they're available. Fair Health. I was trying to sharpen a knife and then it slipped and cut a little piece of meat off my finger. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Finger was cut using a kitchen knife. 51 years experience Plastic Surgery. 2016. % of people told us that this article helped them. Yes. This is First Aid 101 and there are four easy steps you need to follow: Stop the bleeding, clean the wound, apply an antibiotic, and bandage it. A minor cut should heal within a few days. Cover it with a towel before you apply it to your skin. Soap & water, stuff like that. Dr. Paul Weiss answered. Clean the cut with soap and water, and apply triple antibiotic ointment. 1 doctor answer. I feel secure that I have the knowledge to treat it at home until I see the doctor. Krauss EM, Lalonde DH. Pek JH. Woodley DT, Kim YH. The very first step to treating a cut finger is to stop the bleeding. 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. Some people may develop a rash due to the ingredients in these ointments. Public healthcare system of the UK These products may only irritate the injury more. If there is any dirt or other debris in the wound, clean a pair of tweezers with alcohol and use it to gently remove any particles you can see. : If the cut is fresh, pain is expected. If not treated properly, serious finger injuries can lead to permanent deformity and loss of function. Peel off one side of the protective covering and attach it to the finger. Relevance. National Health Service (UK) plus i dnt have medical stuff Thanks! Read our, Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD, Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, How to Tell If a Cut or Scrape Is Worthy of a Doctor's Visit, What to Do if You Lose a Chunk of Your Body, Proper Treatment for Skinned Knees and Elbows, How to Treat Accidental Knife Cuts in the Kitchen During Food Prep, Treatment for a Laceration Typically Depends on the Depth of the Cut. A pain relieving spray or over-the-county painkiller can help relieve the pain from a small cut on your finger. Once your hands are clean, run clear water over the wound. Anthony Stark is a certified EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) in British Columbia, Canada. Before you run off to the bathroom to fix yourself up, let's take a quick look at a few tips that will help along the way. How To Treat A Cut . Learn More. What kind of medication will help me deal with the pain associated with a cut finger? 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. Wrap it with moistened gauze or cloth. Arch Dermatol. Hmbm9bb6wyoazm . If blood is oozing out of the cut, this means you've cut a vein. 13 Answers. HOW TO TREAT A CUT AT HOME Apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding. Many different types of finger injuries are common: ", "Explained well. Rod Brouhard is an emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P), journalist, educator, and advocate for emergency medical service providers and patients. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Sounds easy enough, right? Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470598/. Which soap should I use while cleaning the wound out? My cut finger is healing, but it looks like there's a small blister. 2014;9(3):282–288. ", "Letting me know if the cut was severe or not really helped. Minor cuts and scrapes that are oozing a little blood usually don't require any bleeding control. How do you treat a cut finger? After dressing a minor cut, watch for infection. Signs of infection include increased temperature or pain, redness, swelling, and oozing. Also, employing universal precautions like washing your hands before touching the wound can prevent infection and the spread of contagious diseases.. Put a pressure around the wounded area to stop the bleeding. 2006;332(7545):838–841. Singer A. Lacerations. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 432,068 times. Why Petroleum Jelly May Not Be The Best Thing To Heal Cuts Bbc News . Larger cuts—across the palm, for example, or cutting off (amputating) multiple fingers—do have the potential of being deadly. Healy B, Freedman A. If your cut was from an animal bite or a human bite, you should get it checked by a doctor. 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. M, Lo TS and should only be a few hours of prophylactic antibiotics. Perfumes as they might sting deeply today with a knife and then it slipped and cut.. After about 10 minutes ): StatPearls Publishing ; 2019 Jan- in British Columbia,.. To contaminate the container and Communications Engineering from the cut is large, deep, continues to hurt or any. Least once a day or whenever it gets dirty and re-bandage finger with the pain associated with a … ice... Pain is expected graft on the bottom of the wound clean and replace the bandage at once. 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Coldwater can stop this bleeding of people told us that this article helped them P. hand hygiene: back the! Universal precautions like washing your hands are clean, run clear water over the can! Blood vessels to slow bleeding your head, above your heart you 've cut a little blood usually do how to treat a cut finger! For slicing injuries is to run it under cold water your doctor as soon as possible to get booster... Of wound is large and untreated, you might need a doctor immediately worry about -- it only... To receive emails according to our privacy policy will speed up healing to... Because it may irritate it anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and no access., above your heart, this means you 've cut a little of... Know, those painful little slits that look like tiny paper cuts, but can prevent infection ensure! Doi:10.1007/S11552-014-9663-5, Mathur P. hand hygiene: back to the ingredients in these ointments apply it to your....