Smashing Fingers and Tearing Nails, Ouch!

Smashing your finger really hurts, but here are a few tips on how to relieve pain and take care of damaged fingers.

First, it is important to get help from an adult. If necessary, contact the doctor.

When to see a doctor:

• Try bending your finger. If you are unable to bend it, this may be a sign that you broken a bone.
  
• If you have a deep cut, it may need to be cleaned by a doctor so it won't get infected.
  
• If it has been two or three days and your finger damage has not started to get better, you should also see a doctor.

For bleeding nails:

• Make sure the bleeding area is raised above heart level.
  
• Put pressure on the nail.
  
• If the dark black bleeding under the nail covers a good part of it, see a doctor to drain the blood.

For torn nails:

• If the nail is swollen, soak it in cold water for about 20 minutes.
  
• Do not leave a piece of the nail hanging off. Carefully clip along the tear line. A parent or other adult can help you with this.
  
• For the next two days, wear a bandage for protection.
  
• Clean the nail thoroughly to prevent infection.
  
• On the fourth, fifth and sixth days after the incident, soak the nail in salt water (8 ounces of water to 1/4 teaspoon of salt).
  
• Continue to soak the nail for seven days.
  
• After this amount of time, the nail should be healing. If it is not, contact your doctor for further treatment.

Smashed and torn nails hurt, but they heal quickly, so do not worry -- they will feel better soon!