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Care at Home
  1. Treatment of Cuts, Scratches & Scrapes (abrasions):
    • Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes (by the clock) to stop any bleeding.
    • Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes.
    • Scrub out any dirt gently with a washcloth.
    • Cut off any pieces of dead loose skin using fine scissors (clean scissors with rubbing alcohol before and after use).
    • Apply an antibiotic ointment, covered by a Band-Aid or dressing. Change daily.
  2. Treatment of Bruised Finger: Soak the finger in cold water for 20 minutes.
  3. Treatment of Jammed Finger:
    • Caution - Be certain range of motion is normal (can bend and straighten each finger).
    • Soak the finger in cold water for 20 minutes.
    • If the pain is more than mild, protect it by "buddy-taping" it to the next finger.
  4. Treatment of Smashed or Crushed Fingertip:
    • Apply an ice bag to the area for no longer than 20 minutes. Repeat every hour as needed for the first 72 hours.
    • Wash the finger with soap and water for 5 minutes.
    • Trim any small pieces of torn dead skin with scissors cleaned with rubbing alcohol.
    • Cover any cuts with an antibiotic ointment and Band-Aid. Change daily.
  5. Treatment of Subungual Hematoma (blood under the nail): Apply an ice bag to the area for no longer than 20 minutes. Repeat every hour as needed for the first 72 hours.
  6. 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 sterile scissors to cut it off along the line of the tear. Reason: pieces of nail will catch on objects and tear further.
    • Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a Band-Aid. Change daily.
    • After about 7 days, the nail bed should be covered by new skin and no longer hurt. It takes about 6-12 weeks for a fingernail to grow back completely.
  7. Pain Medication: For pain relief, take acetaminophen every 4-6 hours (e.g., Tylenol; adults 650 mg) OR ibuprofen every 6-8 hours (e.g., Advil, Motrin; adults 400 mg).
    • Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug. Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
    • Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
  8. IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
  1. Symptom Description
  2. Should I Call?

Adult Housecalls. Copyright © 2001-2008. David Thompson, M.D.
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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