How to Handle a Cut Finger

You may accidentally cut your finger while cooking or injure it during sports. Finger cuts are common and typically don’t require emergency treatment; however, if the cut is deep, bleeding won't stop, or there are foreign objects in the wound (such as glass or metal shards), it's important to seek immediate medical attention.

Wash your hands before touching the wound. This step helps reduce the risk of infection in the cut.

• If you have disposable medical gloves, wear them on the uninjured hand to avoid transferring bacteria from your hands to the wound.

Clean the Cut. Hold your hand under clean running water to rinse the wound. Moisten a clean cloth, dip it in soap, and gently clean around the cut. Avoid getting soap directly into the wound, as it may cause irritation. Pat the wound dry with a clean towel once it's been cleaned.

• If dirt or debris remains in the cut after washing, you can use tweezers to remove the particles. Sterilize the tweezers with rubbing alcohol before use.
• There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, iodine, or iodine-based antiseptics to clean the wound, as these can irritate the damaged tissue.
• If debris remains in the cut or is difficult to remove, seek medical care at the nearest hospital or healthcare facility.

Pay Attention if the Bleeding is Pulsing or Oozing. If blood is spurting from the cut, it’s likely you’ve hit an artery, and immediate emergency care is needed. It's highly probable that you won’t be able to stop the bleeding on your own. Apply a clean cloth or sterile gauze to the wound and head to the emergency room. Do not attempt to use a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

• If blood is oozing from the cut, it likely means you’ve cut a vein. Vein cuts usually stop bleeding within 10 minutes with proper care and can typically be treated at home. As with all serious bleeding, apply sterile bandages or gauze to the wound.

Check the Depth of the Cut. Deep cuts that go through the skin and expose fat or muscle may need stitches. If the cut is deep enough to require stitches, head to the emergency room as soon as possible. If the cut is shallow and only causes minor bleeding, it can usually be treated at home.

• If properly stitched within a few hours, deep cuts have a lower risk of scarring and a reduced chance of infection.
• Generally, cuts shorter than 3 cm in length, less than ½ cm deep, and not affecting other structures (like muscles or tendons) are considered minor and can be treated without stitches.

Stop the Bleeding. Minor cuts will typically stop bleeding within a few minutes. For cuts on your finger that are still bleeding, apply a clean cloth or sterile gauze and gently press on the wound.

• Elevate the wound by raising your hand above heart level. Bandage the finger while holding it elevated to absorb the blood.

Apply Antibiotic Ointment to the Cut. Once the bleeding has stopped, apply a thin layer of Neosporin or Polysporin ointment to the wound to keep it moist. These ointments don’t speed up the healing process but help prevent infection and encourage the body’s natural healing response.

• Some people may experience a rash from the ingredients in these ointments. Discontinue use if you develop a rash.

Cover the Wound. Use a bandage to cover the wound and keep it clean, preventing bacteria from entering.

• Use waterproof adhesive bandages or tape to keep the bandage dry while showering. If the bandage becomes wet, remove it, allow the wound to dry, reapply the ointment you're using, and rebandage it.

Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers. If the wound causes pain, you can take an ibuprofen tablet to relieve the discomfort. Make sure to take the recommended dosage on the packaging.

• Minor cuts will typically heal within a few days.
• Avoid taking aspirin, as it is a blood thinner and may cause the wound to bleed more.

Change the Bandage Once a Day. You should also change the bandage whenever it gets wet or dirty.

• Once the cut has mostly healed and a scab has formed, you can leave the wound open. Exposing the wound to air will help speed up the healing process.

Seek Medical Care if the Wound is Swollen, Red, Pus-Filled, or Causes Fever. These are all symptoms of possible infection. You should seek medical attention if any of these occur.

• Loss of movement in your hand or numbness in your finger could indicate a serious infection. In this case, see a doctor immediately.
• Red streaks extending from the wound are signs of a severe infection, requiring immediate medical attention.
• If the wound was caused by an animal or human bite, you need to consult a doctor. Animal bites, especially from wild animals like raccoons or squirrels, can carry the risk of rabies. Humans and pets may carry bacteria in their mouths, which significantly increases the risk of infection once it enters the skin.

Get a Tetanus Shot if the Cut is Deep or Contaminated. Once the doctor has cleaned and stitched up the deep wound, it's advisable to inquire about receiving a tetanus shot to prevent infection.

• Moreover, if it's been over five years since your last tetanus shot and you're dealing with a severe wound, it's recommended to get the shot as soon as possible.