If you bruise your finger: what to do and how to treat it at home?

Almost everyone has encountered bruises of varying severity in their lives more than once. Most victims try to cope with the trauma on their own. In reality, a bruise often becomes the cause of a serious impairment of general health. Including a bruised thumb.

Every person should know how to provide first aid for a bruise or other injury to an arm or leg.

Definition of contusion as a soft tissue injury

A bruise is an injury in which soft tissue is damaged, but the surface integument is not damaged. The name appeared as a definition of the cause of the injury. That is, it indicates the obligatory impact on the affected area with a blunt object in the form of a blow.

As a result of injury, the following may occur:

• Abrasions.
• Bruised wounds.
• Bruising.
• Tissue ruptures.
• Ruptures of internal organs.

At the site of a bruise on any part of the human body, including a finger or other limb, a bruise most often appears, which in the initial stage has a blue-purple color; as it heals, the color changes to greenish and then yellow.

Appearance of bruised fingers

Causes

If a finger was bruised and turned blue, this indicates that the small blood vessels at the site of injury are damaged. Blood begins to flow out of them, which is dissected into the surrounding soft tissue under the skin. Blood contains a large amount of hemoglobin, which gives it a bright purple hue. A fresh bruise, thanks to hemoglobin, has a purple color.

White blood cells, called leukocytes, begin to flow to the site of injury. They begin to surround the rupture site, destroying the blood cells that have leaked out. The breakdown of hemoglobin in red cells is responsible for the consistent change in color of a bruise.

The products of hemoglobin destruction are bilirubin (yellow-red bile pigment) and biliverdin (green bile pigment). When hemoglobin is destroyed, the cyanosis changes color from red through lilac cherry to yellow-green. Afterwards, the decay products at the site of injury leave, and the color disappears. Bilirubin is absorbed by the liver, where it is converted into bile and is directly involved in the digestion of food.

Features of a bruised finger

According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), a bruised finger is classified as a superficial injury of the wrist and hand and is coded S60.0.

With such an injury, noticeable redness appears on the surface of the finger, which can be painful on palpation. The injury site may swell, but the finger remains mobile, although it may be painful. When pressing on the tip of the finger, there is no severe pain in the entire hand, which occurs with a fracture.

Bruised nail and finger

Can a bruised finger be dangerous?

Any bruise can be dangerous if the damage is severe. In this case, internal rupture of the muscles and tendons may occur. In a situation where the nail plate is damaged, the nail can “come off”, leading to inflammation and, in some cases, suppuration.

If the nail turns black

When a nail turns black from an impact, it is advisable to show it to a doctor. Sometimes doctors are forced to remove the nail.

Treatment methods for blackened nails:

1. The phalanx needs to be kept in a solution of salt and soda. Then you should apply hydrogen peroxide.
2. A dark color may indicate displacement of the nail plate. To prevent rejection, you need to wrap the adhesive plaster or bandage tightly.
3. If peeling occurs, carefully cut off the nail with nail scissors.
4. 2 times a day you can apply a bandage with a healing ointment, which includes an antibiotic.
5. The damaged organ is treated with a mixture of novocaine and dimexide (3 to 1).
6. The swelling goes away after applying the iodine mesh.
7. Castor oil will help relieve inflammation and relieve pain.
8. Use heparin ointment for severe bruises. It must be applied once a day.
9. Badyagi powder diluted with water can quickly heal injured areas.

If the appearance of the nail deteriorates and the pain becomes unbearable, you should visit a medical facility.

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Types and degrees of bruises

Depending on the level of damage, a finger bruise can be divided into four degrees:

1. With the first , a slight violation of the skin occurs and abrasions may appear. It goes away on its own in 3-4 days.
2. The second degree is characterized by the appearance of edema, which indicates rupture of muscle tissue and the formation of a hematoma. The pain can be so severe that it affects your overall health.
3. The third degree is characterized by severe pain, significant damage to muscle tissue, and swelling, which may result in bruising.
4. The fourth degree is considered the most difficult. In such a situation, a stubbed finger hurts very much. The finger cannot fully perform its functions.

There may also be options for bruising different fingers. A bruised thumb is one of the most common types of injury. Given the location of the thumb, it is often accompanied by an impacted fracture. A bruised little finger is also a common injury. May be accompanied by a wrist fracture.

An unpleasant addition to such a bruise on the hand is often damage to the nail. In case of injury, nutritional disruption of the nail plate often occurs. This often leads to detachment of the nail plate. If hygiene requirements are violated, a fungal infection may form on the affected nail.

How to distinguish from a fracture

The most common of these injuries are bruises of the fingers, most often the thumb and little finger. This happens due to the fact that the hands and, accordingly, the fingers of the upper limbs are the most active parts of the human body.

Fingers are used in almost every activity. Due to haste and inattention, the normal work process is often disrupted, which can lead to injury.

When the fingers are bruised, the action is always closed. Damage can be caused by a strong blow, pinching, or the impact of something heavy on the finger. If you get a bruise, you should not immediately consult a doctor. However, quite often a bruise may not be the only injury. It may be accompanied by a fracture, bone crack, etc.

Establishing the correct diagnosis contributes to a more accurate choice of treatment and a speedy recovery. In order to be able to distinguish a bruise from a fracture, you need to understand what symptoms accompany these injuries.

Symptoms of bruises:

• swelling of the affected area, but maintaining the natural shape of the finger;
• the appearance of a hematoma;
• tolerable pain at the site of injury;
• the mobility of the limbs is not impaired.

Symptoms of fractures:

• severe swelling of the injury site, often with deformation;
• extremely pronounced hemorrhage, spreading over a large surface. The fracture site takes on a purple or blue color;
• the pain is unbearable. Often fractures with complications cause painful shock;
• muscular movements of the finger are impossible, but there is uncharacteristic mobility at the fracture site;
• crunching and friction are felt at the site where the integrity of the bone is broken.

It is not always enough to rely on visible signs to determine the nature of the injury. A bruised thumb, for example, is accompanied by impaired mobility, but this is associated with severe tissue swelling.

A fracture of the wrist joint of the hand is a fairly typical occurrence in traumatology. In this article you can find out what first aid should be provided for a Colles and Smith fracture.

Therefore, to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of a fracture or bruise of the extremities, it is advisable to take an x-ray, the results of which will help identify the severity of the injury and possible hidden injuries.

A person bends his fingers about 25 million times in his life.

An incorrect diagnosis and treatment procedures inappropriate for the injury can lead to complications. In order to distinguish a bruise from a fracture, it is important to know that a fracture is a violation of the integrity of the bone or periosteum.

There are several signs that will help you understand what exactly happened to your finger:

1. Persistent pain that does not get better even several hours after the injury.
2. The more time passes, the more pronounced the swelling and the brighter the hematoma.
3. Acute pain when trying to move a joint.
4. If a bone is broken or its parts are displaced, then a noticeable deformation of the finger occurs - it becomes shorter or longer.
5. When you hit the area above the damage, the pain increases.

The main symptoms listed, by which a fracture can be identified, are increasing pain and swelling, dysfunction not only of the impact site, but also of neighboring articular areas.

Symptoms and signs of a bruised finger

To understand that you have received a bruise, the main signs by which you can determine the degree of bruise will help.

The following signs and symptoms indicate a bruised finger:

• Severe pain appears at the site of the lesion. Due to damage to nerve endings and muscle tissue, pain at the site of a bruised finger continues for quite a long time. A tumor forms.
• There is a feeling of pulsation of damaged vessels . Sometimes, with severe trauma, it is even visible. A bruise and bump forms at the site of the impact.
• A color change and hematoma appear quickly. Hemorrhage into the joint capsule (hemarthrosis) may occur, in which case fluid forms in the joint capsule.
• Due to the formation of a tumor, the size and shape of the damaged finger changes.
• There is a loss of mobility of the injured finger. The skin temperature may rise at the site of impact.

Bruise or fracture: differences

Without contacting a traumatologist, the patient is not always able to independently diagnose the fact of a bruise or fracture. This becomes the choice of the wrong type of treatment. In this case, a fracture differs from a bruise in a wide range of symptoms.

In case of fracture:

• Severe pain lasts longer than 3-4 days. The finger can move, but it hurts a lot.
• The finger becomes displaced and looks “strangely” bent.
• If you try to move it, the pain becomes acute, almost unbearable.
• Edema and swelling are constantly increasing.

Ways to distinguish a bruise from other finger injuries

During self-diagnosis, it is also often difficult to distinguish a bruise not only from a fracture, but also from a sprain or dislocation.

The main difference between an injury such as a bruised finger is a reduction in the level of pain. It goes away within 3-4 days, even with the most severe degree of damage, swelling and swelling gradually begin to decrease, the color of the hematoma changes, gradually turning yellow.

A hematoma appeared

The appearance of a hematoma is characterized by the following symptoms:

• There is a sharp pain;
• The damaged area turns red;
• Then it turns blue;
• The finger increases in size.

With a hematoma, the walls of the capillaries are damaged and bruising occurs into adjacent tissues. To reduce the size of the bruise and pain, you need to apply ice. Cold stops further bleeding.

It is advisable to take care of your finger the first time after an injury. During this period, you should not apply warm lotions or soak your finger in hot water.

For a large hematoma, blood clots are removed, then a tight bandage is applied.

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First aid for a bruised finger

If you bruise your finger, you need to take the following measures:

• If you are injured, you must immediately remove the jewelry from your finger. As swelling develops, this will become more difficult.
• To determine the extent of the damage, it is important to try to move the finger to exclude dislocation, sprain or fracture. Next you need to ensure maximum peace.
• The finger is placed under a stream of cold water to relieve pain and swelling. Applying ice is not recommended. This method can lead to hypothermia of the skin.
• Abrasions and scratches are treated with hydrogen peroxide and iodine.
• If the nail is damaged, it must be fixed with a plaster or bandage.
• A not very tight pressure bandage is applied; in case of severe pain, it is recommended to take a painkiller.

First aid for a bruised finger

If pain persists, it is recommended to consult a traumatologist.

If a finger joint is knocked out: first aid

In a situation where a phalanx flies out during a blow or bruise, you will need:

• Take a non-narcotic pain reliever.
• Remove all jewelry from your finger.
• Apply a cold compress.
• To avoid severe swelling, the arm is fixed in an elevated position.
• A splint made of any hard sticks can be applied to the phalanx.

Next, you should consult a doctor.

Drug therapy

2-3 days after the injury, warm compresses are applied to the injured area to reduce the area of ​​hemorrhage. A warm bath will also do. Over time, the hemorrhage should completely disappear. If there is no pain, you can massage the injured limb.

In addition, traumatologists advise using ointments and gels that contain diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen. They should be applied to the entire damaged area at least 4 times a day. If there are open wounds or abrasions, these products should not be used.

If you feel pain, you should take painkillers:

• "Analgin";
• "Ketanov";
• "Nimesil".

The bruise of the little finger is considered the most painful, so its treatment is impossible without analgesics.

For external use, it is better to purchase one of the following ointments:

• "Diclofenac" to eliminate swelling and inflammation;
• “Heparin ointment” to reduce swelling;
• "Troxevasin" will help reduce bruising;
• “Lioton”, which relieves inflammation and also resolves subcutaneous blood accumulations;
• "Traumel" is an anti-inflammatory homeopathic remedy.

A hematoma on a finger will resolve faster if you use Vishnevsky ointment. You can use the anti-inflammatory patch Nanoplast Forte.

Treatment of bruises and dislocations of the joint

In the case of treatment of a dislocated joint, medication and fixation devices can be used to ensure the rest of the injured finger, accelerating the healing process.

A thin layer of ointment or gel should be applied to the bruised area to relieve swelling and accelerate tissue healing.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment options are presented in the table.

Performing a commit

Sometimes fixation of a bruised finger is performed:

• Fixing the affected area helps speed up the healing process.
• In case of severe bruising, a plaster cast may be applied. This option can be stored for up to 5 weeks.
• Most fixation is done using bondage or just a tight bandage.

Method for fixing a bruised finger

Physiotherapy

Third and fourth degree bruised fingers require physical therapy for successful healing. To quickly cure a bruise, UHF therapy and massage using a cream can be performed to ensure blood flow in the sore part of the finger.

Surgery

Most bruises on this part of the arm do not require surgery. Contacting a surgeon may be necessary in a situation where a joint is knocked out or a tendon is torn.

In this situation, minor surgical intervention will be required to eliminate the consequences of the bruise and the integrity of the joint will be restored.

Surgery

Physiotherapy

When paying attention to the question of how to remove swelling from a bruised finger, it is important to include physical procedures in the treatment regimen. Physiotherapeutic procedures begin to be used a couple of days after the suspension is removed. Timely prescribed physical therapy will help eliminate pain and swelling.

Such sessions stimulate tissue regeneration. Widely used:

1. Analgesic methods of treating soft tissue bruises: cryotherapy, electrophoresis of anesthetics, diadynamic therapy, interference therapy, amplipulse therapy.
2. Vasoconstrictor method: cooling compress.
3. Fibromodulating methods on how to relieve swelling from a finger after a bruise. These are methods such as electrophoresis, ultrasound therapy, peloid therapy.
4. Vasodilating methods: electrophoresis, ultraphonophoresis, infrared irradiation, fresh baths, warming compress, water heating pad.
5. Lymphatic drainage methods: therapeutic massage, alcohol compress.
6. Antiphlogistic methods on how to remove a tumor from a finger if a finger is bruised: UHF and microwave therapy, ultraphonophoresis, magnetic therapy.

Only a specialist can prescribe one or another method of physical therapy to relieve swelling of a bruised finger.

Features of treatment of bruise and dislocation of a finger in children

Due to their mobility, young children often become victims of a finger bruise or dislocation. During the game, the baby may get injured and simply not pay attention to it.

For this reason, parents should carefully monitor potential injuries to the baby:

• If a significant hematoma or severe tumor appears, an immediate visit to a traumatologist is required.
• The specialist will rule out severe damage and prescribe a course of treatment.
• It is advisable to fix and bandage the affected area where the bruise occurred to prevent re-injury.
• You should not try to set or insert a knocked-out finger joint yourself; only a traumatologist can do this correctly.

Prevention

Strict adherence to all preventive measures will help prevent a bruised finger. If pain occurs, this will help significantly speed up recovery.

The most important recommendations are:

1. Compliance with safety regulations at work and at home;
2. Caution when playing sports;
3. Refusal to participate in fights;
4. Proper nutrition that fills the body with useful substances;
5. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that strengthens the entire body.

Try to be as careful as possible to prevent injury to your limbs. Watch your gait and actions, and pull yourself together if you fall. If pain occurs, consult a doctor immediately.

Treatment at home

A bruised finger most often goes away quite quickly when treated at home. However, it is necessary to treat with traditional methods in combination with traditional remedies.

Among the common means of assistance are such folk recipes as:

• Applying a cabbage leaf scalded with boiling water to the affected area.
• Apply a grid of alcohol or anoint with iodine in the form of a grid.
• Moisten a cloth or bandage with gauze and vodka and apply to the affected area.
• To relieve inflammation , you can apply raw potatoes to the sore area, this will help your finger heal faster.
• Inflammations are relieved by compresses made from onion pulp. To prepare it, grate onions on a fine grater and make a gauze compress.

Folk remedies

Consultation with a doctor is necessary, and procedures are usually performed in an outpatient setting. Limb injuries can be successfully treated at home.

Folk recipes are widely used for this:

1. Compresses made from boiled potatoes with the addition of honey and a spoon of soda. This natural mixture has an analgesic, absorbable effect.
2. Compress from a mixture consisting of oil, honey, vinegar.
3. Gauze bandage with chopped onion pulp.
4. For dressings, you can use bodyaga powder, diluted to the consistency of sour cream.
5. Fresh cabbage leaves, which should be changed every few hours.

Simple but effective recipes will allow you to quickly heal a bruised finger without consequences.

Recovery procedure

Most bruises go away with minimal treatment on their own in a maximum of 15-20 days. The pain persists for approximately 3-5 days.

Healing of a dislocation takes a little longer and is about 21 days when a fixing bandage or bandage is applied.

Types of exercises to restore fingers

It is advisable to start a set of exercises to restore this part of the arm with a little self-massage. Sharp pain is the basis for their immediate cessation.

Exercises are performed only in the presence of dull, not very severe pain:

1. Massage the painful area affected by the bruise and try to bend and straighten the joint.
2. Stretch your palms in front of you, clench and unclench all your fingers.
3. Place your palms in front of you and try to spread them apart and bring them together, moving them one at a time away from the rest.
4. Go through small objects, beads, puzzles.

A set of exercises for recovery

Bump, bruise, phalanx does not bend

A bruise can appear anywhere on the phalanx. If the phalanx does not bend or a lump appears, it means the joints are damaged.

The bruise appears during the blow. The capillaries of the circulatory system are injured, as a result of which blood penetrates into neighboring soft tissues. The damaged area of ​​skin turns purple. The bruise disappears in 2-3 weeks.

The finger does not bend if it receives serious damage (fracture, large hematoma or dislocation). The structure or surface of the joint is often damaged, and the limb hurts greatly.

A lump is a dense and elastic tumor shaped like a ball. Arising at one point, it increases in size gradually. To remove the tumor, a consultation with a traumatologist is necessary. Sometimes you have to resort to surgery.

At a mild stage, treatment with electrophoresis, ultraviolet or paraffin applications is prescribed. You can smear with medicines that include olive oil, deer fat and wormwood.

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What should you not do if you are injured?

If you bruise your finger, the following actions are not recommended:

• A common mistake when treating a bruise is cooling the affected area with an ice compress. This can lead to hypothermia of the skin.
• It is also not recommended to heat the affected area of ​​the bruise, including the use of ointments and creams that help heat the skin.
• Avoiding the development of inflammation also ensures that you stop trying to apply a warm compress. The affected area requires cold, not heat.

Bruising is a common injury. With the right tactics, it can be successfully treated; it is removed in a short time and does not have a significant impact on health.

Effective painkillers

For severe pain, you can use different painkillers.

More often, ointments are used that do not have a warming or cooling effect. The doctor prescribes a drug that relieves pain and does not worsen the condition of the wound. For serious injuries, pills or injections may be prescribed.

Paracetamol is often taken, which affects nerve impulses, reducing pain. If inflammatory processes occur, you can take ibuprofen. Ketanov is rarely used when it is necessary to anesthetize a lesion for a long time.

In severe cases, injections are prescribed. Declofinac injections help relieve inflammation.

You can reduce pain using folk remedies:

• Powder of crushed plantain leaves;
• Calendula infusion;
• Cabbage leaves;
• Bodyagi;
• Grated potatoes.

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