What to do if someone cuts their finger off!
Amputated Finger – what to do, important steps to help control bleeding and preserve the amputated part
Sadly it is common for people to accidentally amputate the tips of their fingers. Fortunately, with the right first aid treatment, these amputated parts can often be successfully re-attached.
Anything with a hinge can cause an amputation. Amputations are common injuries that occur when you catch your finger in a slamming door, or from sharp knives, mandolins, catching artificial nails on something or when people are undertaking DIY.
If part of a finger is amputated, the immediate priority is to look after the casualty. Firstly, sit them down and reassure them. Swiftly grab a non-fluffy cloth and use this to apply direct pressure to the stump in order to stop the bleeding. Elevate the injured hand whilst continuing to apply pressure. Do not worry about the amputated part at the moment. Wait until bleeding has been controlled and the casualty feels calmer.
Once you have controlled the bleeding wound, you can turn your attention to the amputated part.
Pick up the finger, do not wash it. Wrap it in a non-fluffy cloth, put this in a plastic bag and then put it onto an ice pack. Do not let the ice come directly into contact with the amputated part as it will cause ice burns and could consequently mean that it will be impossible for surgeons to reattach their finger. Humans are meat and you are aiming to chill the amputated part to preserve it. Transport the casualty along with their amputated finger to hospital. You do not necessarily need an ambulance for this.
If the finger is still partly attached with a blood supply, bandage the severed part carefully in situ, not too tightly, support and elevate the hand and call an ambulance.
Crushed or bruised fingers
It is even more common for people to crush or bruise their fingers. If someone has injured their fingers, but nothing has been amputated. The following steps can help: Immediately, run the damaged area under cool running water for 10 minutes, then apply a wrapped ice pack. Elevate the injured hand and seek medical advice.
First Aid for Life cover bleeding on all their practical and online courses.
Written by Emma Hammett RGN www.firstaidforlife.org.uk
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First Aid for life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.
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Hi,
my uncle cut three of his fingers while working. It was a machine similar to a saw I can’t explain in details. He lives in Vietnam and the hospital where he went didn’t do the a proper job and didn’t sew back his fingers. He even had to tell them what to do asking them for a shot to ease the pain. I was very angry when I heard that because I knew that if he was here he would receive a better treatment. My uncle put the fingers who were cut in a bag and in the frig. Now his hand is swelling and he tells me that it burns. Sometimes in the middle of the night he can’t sleep because of the pain. My heart hurts for him and I live in Canada. I wish I could do something about it..but I can’t. I care a lot about him. Please help thank you
Dear Vivian, so very sorry to hear this awful story. I am afraid that all the first aid needed to be done immediately. Best wishes for you and your uncle. Emma
My daughter accidentally severed her finger in the door at work but no one helped her they threw the tip of her finger in the bin. Also no one took her to hospital so had to ask at boots she lost a lot of blood but when she got to the hospital eventually she had to wait to see urgent care she was in agony. But the hospital didn’t do much they just covered it up and sent her home she didn’t have a tetanus but she went to boots by herself .Honestly my partner and myself are disgusted she is still in pain and now she has to go back to a different hospital again . She lost the top of her middle finger what does she do because we said the hospital should have done something straight away
Dear Liz, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter and I am afraid I can’t comment on her care. I hope her injury heals quickly.
Hello, say if your toe was amputated and the ambulance does not arrive in time for it too help the patient how would I help the patients wound to fully recover, and this would be with the toe missing so there would be no way to sew it back on
Please apply direct pressure to stop bleeding. Save the amputated part if possible wrapped and on an ice pack and transfer them to hospital yourself.
As we have learned in recent wars, amputated limbs can be successfully reattached hours after the accident. So get the victim, with toe to the hospital as quickly as possible.
Hi when you wrap the piece of finger in a cloth, should the cloth be damp or dry? Thanks
It honestly shouldn’t matter. You could also put the finger in the plastic bag first and then wrap in the cloth. The key thing is that the finger is protected from the ice, but kept chilled.
I lost my tip of finger below the nail starts to grow. After sewing and medication it grew but its shape is awkward.can it be corrected????
A plastic surgeon may be able to reshape it, it is worth asking
Hello, I was just wondering if the use of something such as blood clotting spray at the amputation location could cause later difficulties in reattachment. Obviously you want to stop the bleeding, but would it be better to simply apply pressure and then direct attention towards preserving the amputated part? Thanks for your time!
Please just apply pressure and then take them and the amputated part to A&E for hopeful reattachment