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Finger cuts range from minor to severe.
Minor injuries, like shallow paper cuts, can quickly be treated at home with basicfirst aid.
Deeper, more severe cuts may damage the skin, tendons, ligaments, and even the bone.
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Such cuts call for a visit to the emergency room, and often requirestitches.
This article will help you determine if yourfinger cutis minor or not.
Control the Bleeding
An accidental cut can be minor or severe.
Call 911 if you think you will be delayed in getting there or don’t have a ride.
Never drive yourself with a partially or fully amputated finger.
Healthcare providers will handle this for deep cuts.
These products may only irritate the injury.
It also won’t help a wound heal faster.
Never squeeze ointment directly onto the cut.
You don’t want to contaminate the container.
Instead, put the ointment on a cotton swab.
When applying an adhesive bandage, never touch the pad.
Peel off one side of the protective covering and attach the sticky part to the finger.
Then, wrap the bandage around the finger and remove the other covering as you go.
Replace the bandage at least once a day or whenever it gets dirty.
If you were seen by a healthcare provider, follow their instructions for cleaning and bandaging your cut.
How Long Will a Finger Cut Take to Heal?
Most minor wounds fully heal within one week.
Do You Need a Tetanus Shot After a Finger Cut?
See your healthcare provider as soon as possible to get abooster.
Finger Cut Aftercare
Minor finger cuts should make a full recovery without complications.
If the injury appears complex or deformed, your provider will likely request an X-ray.
Summary
Finger cuts are pretty common.
Knowing what to do when you have a cut finger can help prevent infection and excessive bleeding.
If your finger has been amputated, do not attempt to drive to the ER.
Call 911 immediately, and apply pressure to the wound to control bleeding.
In most cases, minor cuts will heal within one week.
If you need stitches or surgery, you could expect the wound to heal within a year.
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Here’s how to know if you need stitches.
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