First Aid For
Fingernail Injuries

First aid for fingernail injuries is the same as first aid for basic wound care. There are 5 major injuries that can occur to the fingernail.

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The 5 major injuries

• A nail bruise.
• A laceration. This is where a cut slices through the nail.
• Fingertip amputation.
• Nail avulsion. When the nail becomes removed from the nail bed.
• A broken finger.

First Aid for Fingernail Injuries

• Remove any jewelry and rings on that finger or toe.
• Elevate the injured limb above the heart to help with pain and throbbing.
• Use a pain reliever as needed.
• See your doctor if the bruise takes up more than 25% of the nail. The bruise is very painful and cannot be alleviated using the above technique. Of if there is excessive swelling and the bruise needs to be drained.

A Lacerated Nail

• You will need to go to your local hospital emergency room.
• Remove all rings and jewelry from the injured finger or toe.
• Stop bleeding by applying direct pressure on the wound.
• Elevate the injury above the heart to slow down blood flow.
• Once bleeding has stopped examine the injury.
• Gently wrap the injury and head to the hospital.
• DO NOT attempt to remove the cut nail from the nail bed.

Fingernail Amputation

• You will need to go to your local hospital emergency room.
• Remove jewelry and rings from injured finger or toe.
• Apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding
• Elevate the injury above the heart to slow down blood flow.
• Wrap injury in gauze or dressing.
• Wrap amputated part in clean wet gauze or wet paper towels. Place inside a zip-lock bag and put zip-lock bag on ice. Take it with you to the emergency room.

Nail Avulsion (nail becomes removed from the nail bed)

• You will need to go to your local hospital emergency room.
• Remove jewelry and rings from injured finger or toe.
• Apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding
• Elevate the injury above the heart to slow down blood flow.
• Wrap injury in gauze or dressing.
• Wrap amputated fingernail in clean wet gauze or wet paper towels. Place inside a zip-lock bag and put zip-lock bag on ice. Take it with you to the emergency room.
• If the nail bed has not been injured they may be able to reattach the nail.

A Broken Finger

• You will need to go to your local hospital emergency room.
• Gently wrap injured finger or toe.
• Elevate injury above heart to help with pain and throbbing.
• If the finger is crooked DO NOT attempt to straighten it.
• You doctor will apply a splint or place a wire in the tip of the finger to keep it in place.