How to handle crushed toes and hands in children

Children are often hyperactive and naughty so they often encounter accidents such as: falling, leg and arm injuries, especially crushed toes and fingers.

Crushed toes and hands are caused by children accidentally slamming doors on their fingers or by heavy objects such as wooden furniture, household appliances, large toys... falling on their feet and hands. Usually, parents will only realize the problem when they hear their children cry out. In mild cases, you can perform some simple but effective first aid steps below.

Use ice to apply on the bruised back of the hand

Elevate the affected area to reduce pain and swelling:This is the most important thing to do within the first 48 hours. As soon as you notice your baby has a crushed finger or toe, place your baby in a comfortable sitting position, either in a chair or on your lap. Use a blanket or pillow to prop up the injured hand or foot.

Ice pack:Use a plastic bag filled with ice (or a bag of clean frozen vegetables from your freezer) and apply it to the affected area. Wrap the ice bag in a thin towel. Hold the bag on the affected area for 20 minutes. Do this regularly every 1-2 hours for the first 24 hours, then 3-4 times the second day.

If you don’t have a compress, you can use a bowl of ice water instead. Fill a large bowl with water, add some ice, and immerse your baby’s hands and feet in it. Your baby may feel uncomfortable at the moment, but this method will help reduce swelling and pain in the long run.

Pain relief:Crushing a finger or toe can be very painful for your child. This is because this area has a high concentration of nerve endings and sensory organs. Give your child pain medication (paracetamol, ibuprofen) as directed. This will not only help relieve the pain but also reduce inflammation.

Listening to music or watching a favorite cartoon can also help your child feel more comfortable. For older children, concentrating on their thoughts and taking deep, even breaths can also help improve the situation.

Check for signs of broken bones and nail damage:The fingernails or toenails may be bruised, broken, or peeled, or there may be blood under the nail. If the nail is partially peeled off, apply antibiotic cream and bandage it to prevent further peeling.

During the first few days of using the injured hand or foot, the child may be cautious, so the bone is unlikely to be broken. If there is severe bruising, bleeding, the nail is pushed out, or there are signs of a broken finger (the hand or foot is swollen, deformed, causing pain to the child), limit movement and take the child to the emergency room immediately.

According to Health & Life - NT