Title: Smashed Finger: Treatment, Recovery, Seeking Help, and More
Headings: Treatment and Recovery for a Smashed Finger
Treatment and Recovery for a Smashed Finger
Overview and symptoms
Immediate relief
Rest
Ice
Elevate
Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications
Clean and cover open wounds
Make sure you can move your finger
Use pain-relieving creams and herbal remedies
Long-term treatment and recovery
Treating a bruised fingernail
What to avoid
When to seek help
The takeaway

Content: To avoid putting weight on the injury, rest the finger on top of a covered ice compress or pack. Elevate
Elevating the injured finger above the level of your heart slows the flood of blood to the site, limiting inflammation and pressure. This is extremely important and needs to be done continuously, not just intermittently. Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications
OTC anti-inflammatory and pain medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can help reduce inflammation and associated pain. Clean and cover open wounds
If the nail or skin is broken, gently clean the area using soap and water, or an antibacterial rinse. Then, cover the wound with sterile gauze or bandages. OTC antibiotic ointments or creams can also be applied to the wounds after cleaning sessions to help prevent infection. Wounds should be cleaned and new dressings applied at least twice daily. Make sure you can move your finger
Never wrap, splint, or brace an injured finger at home. It’s also important to try to keep gently moving the finger as much as possible without increasing your pain.