Fingertip Amputation: First Aid & Treatment Guide

Fingertip amputations are a common injury to occur at home, during play or at work. A fingertip can be cut off when chopping food, accidentally shutting the fingertip in a car door or when the finger gets crushed or cut in the folding mechanism of a tool or a toy. Quick action is necessary when a fingertip is amputated.

Things You'll Need

• Ice
• Clean gauze
• Waterproof bag
• Splint

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Instructions

• 1

  Gently clean the fingertip area with water. If possible, use saline solution (such as the kind used for contact lenses) or create a salt water rinse.

• 2

  Wrap the fingertip in clean gauze and place it inside a watertight bag.

• 3

  Place the bag on ice. Do not place the fingertip directly on ice, as this may further damage the tissue. Make sure the bag is sealed tightly against moisture and then cover the bag with ice.

• 4

  Cover the injured fingertip with clean, dry gauze. If possible, make the hand immobile with a splint.

• 5

  Elevate the hand with the injury and apply ice to bring down swelling and reduce pain.

• 6

  Take the injured individual and the amputated fingertip to an emergency room immediately.