Treatment for smashed finger/toe

**Erik4Cy** · 07-07-2012, 02:06 PM

Sooo...smashed the crap outta my finger today and was looking at treatments online and I'm currently doing the injury standard: 20 mins on ice, 20 mins off. but my fingernail is all pooled with blood and definitely swelling going on. Some people have some borderline nasty but apparently effective videos of them heating up pins or sharp object and then burn through the nail to make a hole for the blood to run out and relieve pressure. Just debating whether to go to doc to have done professionally, do it myself, or just leave it alone and continue with cold/off. Any suggestions or how dealt with in the past?

**ISUCubswin** · 07-07-2012, 02:08 PM

I just took an athletic training class and discovered that if there is ever blood accumulating under the fingernail, you should definitely go to the doctor.

**bostrem00** · 07-07-2012, 02:09 PM

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE]Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby - YouTube[/ame]

**Sousaclone** · 07-07-2012, 02:11 PM

As an alternative to the shoving a hot pin through your fingernail, a lot of the ironworkers I work with will use a brand new 1/16" drill bit and slowly drill by hand through their nail.

Or you could seek professional medical advice.

**CycloneErik** · 07-07-2012, 02:13 PM

I smashed up my big toe and had a nice cut under the nail. Cut healed, the nail grew out to the point that I could cut the rotten thing off. I never had any troubles walking, running, or anything else.

**Rabbuk** · 07-07-2012, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

I smashed up my big toe and had a nice cut under the nail. Cut healed, the nail grew out to the point that I could cut the rotten thing off. I never had any troubles walking, running, or anything else.

Weed and time will heal all wounds.

**CycloneErik** · 07-07-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Rabbuk

Weed and time will heal all wounds.

Time did this one all by itself.
Way to go, time!!!

It was a pretty cool night when I cut the nail out. I should have taken pictures of the fragments, or a video of the process. It was a good time.

**Cyclonepride** · 07-07-2012, 02:21 PM

Ah, the epic battle between CF and professional medical advice! Don't worry, we here at CF have only lost ten or twelve patients.

**Rabbuk** · 07-07-2012, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

Ah, the epic battle between CF and professional medical advice! Don't worry, we here at CF have only lost ten or twelve patients.

So our mortality rate is lower than most hospitals score!

**ISUCubswin** · 07-07-2012, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Rabbuk

So our mortality rate is lower than most hospitals score!

No, I think he means that we've literally lost about 10-12 patients. No idea where they went. We've had a lot die, we just tell others they were "banned."

**farcyted** · 07-07-2012, 02:31 PM

The sooner you put the pin through the nail, the better you are going to be. You have to relieve the pressure to eliminate the pain.

**Bobber** · 07-07-2012, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by farcyted

The sooner you put the pin through the nail, the better you are going to be. You have to relieve the pressure to eliminate the pain.

Amen. Like the drill bit idea(would swab with a lot of alcohol). The hot pin works, but that first second or two is painful.

**Hawkeye11en1** · 07-07-2012, 02:36 PM

I'm not sure if someone has mentioned this, but if you can feel the pain you are NOT drinking enough. Sir, please drink more. Thank you.

**NebrClone** · 07-07-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Sousaclone

As an alternative to the shoving a hot pin through your fingernail, a lot of the ironworkers I work with will use a brand new 1/16" drill bit and slowly drill by hand through their nail.

Or you could seek professional medical advice.

I have done this several times, not saying it was the smart thing to do. But it sure feels good once you relieve the pressure.

**madcityCY** · 07-07-2012, 02:42 PM

I've seen in more than one western, cowboys carve a groove in the back end of an arrow (in which the arrowhead went through) dump a little gunpowder in the groove, light it, and have your buddy quickly pull the arrow the rest of the way through to cauterize both sides of the wound. Of course you'll want to drink the remainder of the whiskey you have in your saddlebag, and bite a stick or piece of leather to help with the pain.

Oh you weren't shot with an arrow? Nm...