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Care at Home
  1. Treatment of Cuts, Scratches and Scrapes (abrasions):
    • Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes 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 (cleaned with rubbing alcohol).
    • Apply an antibiotic ointment, covered by a Band-Aid or dressing. Change daily.
  2. Treatment of Bruised Toe: Soak the toe in cold water for 20 minutes.
  3. Treatment of Jammed Toe:
    • CAUTION: Be certain that there is no deformity (the toe lines up normally with the other toes).
    • Soak the toe in cold water for 20 minutes.
    • If the pain is more than mild, protect it by "buddy-taping" it to the next toe.
  4. Treatment of Smashed or Crushed Toe:
    • Apply an ice bag to the area for not more than 20 minutes. Never apply ice directly to the skin as the cold may further damage the skin (can cause frostbite).
    • Wash the toe 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 present under toenail): Apply an ice bag to the area for 20 minutes.
  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 toenail to grow back completely.
  7. Pain Medication: For pain relief, take acetaminophen every 4-6 hours (e.g., Tylenol; adult dosage 650 mg) OR ibuprofen every 6-8 hours (e.g., Advil, Motrin; adult dosage 400 mg).
    • Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problem, 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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