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Whether you vanquish your finger with a hammer or a slammed car door, a smashed fingernail can be a very painful experience. Fortunately, if not too astringent, at that place are some steps you can take to relieve the hurting without having to blitz to the emergency room. Immediately after the injury, yous'll want to take some precautions to reduce swelling and redness. A day or two after the injury, you lot tin use a heated paperclip to drain blood from under the nail to further relieve pain and pressure.[1]

  1. 1

    Ice your finger. Wrap an water ice pack or cold compress in a newspaper towel and place it on the injured finger. Keep the ice on it for x-minute intervals with twenty-minute breaks for the offset few hours afterwards yous smash your finger. Ice helps to minimize swelling, bleeding, and pain.

    • Be conscientious not to apply to much weight or pressure with the ice. You may but place your finger on top of the wrapped water ice pack or compress.
    • Do not put ice directly on skin or go along the ice on for longer than xv-minute intervals. This may cause frostbite or further inflammation.[2]

  2. 2

    Elevate your hand above your heart. Agree your injured finger up in an elevated position in a higher place the level of your centre. Exercise this continuously to limit pressure.

    • If you keep your hand down at your side, blood will blitz to the injury, increasing the swelling and uncomfortable throbbing pain.[3]

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  3. iii

    Accept an over-the-counter painkiller if the pain is severe. To further relieve pain and reduce inflammation, take an oral anti-inflammatory or pain killer such as ibuprofen (Advil), Tylenol, Motrin, or Aspirin.[4]

  4. iv

    Clean the wound with balmy soap and water. If the injury resulted in an open wound, clean it every bit presently as possible. You can clean the wound by rinsing with running tap h2o and washing around the wound with lather.

    • If in that location is any dirt or debris in the wound, remove information technology with tweezers cleaned with alcohol. [5]

  5. 5

    Utilize an antibiotic ointment on the wound. Use a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment such every bit Polysporin to the open cut. This will keep the surface of the cut moist and assistance prevent scarring.

    • Yous tin can also use petroleum jelly on the wound if y'all don't have ointment.[half-dozen]

  6. vi

    Keep your finger moving to prevent stiffness. If you lot're able to do so, gently keep your finger moving every bit much as possible without causing further pain. This will help reduce inflammation and preclude stiffness.

    • If you can't move your finger or feel it afterwards a few minutes take passed, you may need to seek medical attending.[7]

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  1. 1

    Wash your injured finger thoroughly. A few days after the injury, you may notice some blood under the smash that looks similar a dark-colored discoloration (red, maroon, or purple-black). You lot'll desire to release that claret that forms under the boom to further save pain and force per unit area. Make certain to launder your easily with mild lather and warm h2o, then dry out them with a make clean towel.

    • This will prevent an infection from developing on your fingertip.[eight]

  2. 2

    Disinfect the injured finger with rubbing alcohol. In improver to washing your finger, you'll want to employ rubbing alcohol to further make clean and disinfect the injury.

    • Utilise alcohol by pouring a small amount on a cotton ball to make clean the surface of the fingernail and then let it dry. [9]

  3. 3

    Straighten and sterilize the paperclip. Utilise a set of pliers to straighten the paperclip completely. Then, dip one end of the paperclip in rubbing booze to disinfect it.

    • When you're finished, place the disinfected paperclip on a make clean paper towel and permit it dry out.

  4. 4

    Heat the paperclip with a match or lighter. Holding the paperclip with pliers, use a flame to estrus the terminate that you disinfected. Do this until the end of the paperclip is cherry hot.

    • This volition ensure that the paperclip is hot enough to get through the nail and release the blood.[10]

  5. 5

    Impact the heated paperclip to your injured nail. Carefully press the crimson hot end of the paperclip on the part of the fingernail where almost of the blood has collected. Go along it there until the paperclip has burned through the nail.[xi]

    • Be careful non to press the paperclip besides hard. You want to pierce the blast with the paperclip without burning the pare underneath.
    • If done successfully, you will see drainage of clear or slightly bloody fluid for 2 to iii days. This is normal.[12]

  6. 6

    Soak the finger in warm water daily. After this method is completed, soak the injured finger in warm, soapy water for x minutes, three times a day for 2-3 days. This will ensure that the injury remains clean and infection is prevented.

    • Virtually smashed fingernails tend to experience meliorate within three to four days.
    • More severe injuries may take weeks to heal.[13]

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  • You may also use a safety pin or needle instead of a paperclip. Merely be sure to sterilize it with the rubbing alcohol.[14]

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  • You should seek help from a nurse or doctor if yous tin can't straighten your finger, it feels numb, is noticeably bent or kleptomaniacal, symptoms get worse after 48 hours of dwelling house care, or the injury stays bloated for more than 48 hours.[15]

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