01 Jan How to treat finger trapping injuries at home
Door-related finger trapping injuries are surprisingly widespread. They’re one of the most common classroom injuries, but with research revealing that 59% of trapping accidents occur at home, knowing what to do should the worst happen is pretty important.
As with any injury, seeking treatment fast and knowing when to get medical help are both vital. Failure to do so will leave you at risk of serious, lifelong damage that could result in complications like infection, prolonged pain or permanent mobility issues. Read on to discover a step-by-step guide to treating trapping injuries…
Step 1: Clean
The injured area should be cleaned before further treatment is provided. Start by washing the hands with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. If the skin is broken, more thorough cleaning will be required. Gently clean the wound with antiseptic or saline solution to disinfect the area. Going forward, open wounds should be cleaned at least twice a day.
Step 2: Control
Swelling and bruising are common after a trapping injury. Applying a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth can reduce swelling, numb the pain and stop any bleeding. Keep the compress on for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, resting the finger on the compress or ice pack rather than the other way around. Ice may need to be applied several times to minimise swelling and bruising.
Step 3: Elevate
The final step of the RICE method of at-home treatment and recovery, elevation is also effective when treating finger injuries. There are many reasons why elevating an injury is beneficial as WebMD explains:
“This means raising the sore body part above the level of your heart. Doing so reduces pain, throbbing, and swelling. It’s not as tricky to do as you might think. For example, if you have an ankle sprain, you can prop your leg up on pillows while sitting on the sofa. You can keep the injured area raised when possible, even without ice.”
Step 4: Cover
Use a bandage, plaster or sterile dressing to protect cuts or abrasions. H-shaped plasters are a great option for covering fingertips and knuckles securely. Never use a splint or brace unless told to do so by a medical professional.
Step 5: Relieve
Over-the-counter pain medication can be relied on to manage any minor pain that results from finger entrapment. As well as reducing pain, medication such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin are well known for decreasing inflammation. Pain relief can also be applied topically to alleviate discomfort and speed up the healing process.
Step 6: Get help
While some injuries are minor and can be treated at home, others require immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing intense pain, your finger is visibly deformed or crooked, are having difficulty bending or straightening the finger, are experiencing numbness or tingling, or the cut on your finger is particularly deep, you should consult a medical professional.
Swelling and bruising that doesn’t improve within a day or two, or any changes in skin colour, should be investigated by a doctor immediately too.
Stop accidents before they happen!
As the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”, which is why every home should have Fingersafe Shields installed. Designed with the family home in mind, Fingersafe Shield aims to create a safer space for all, with the resulting finger protection guards easy to fit, use and maintain.
Find further details about our Fingersafe Shield range or contact us to discuss your needs.
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