First aid for children with broken fingers and toes

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Among the injuries that children often encounter, finger/toe stamping is quite common, caused by children accidentally slamming doors on their fingers or being hit by heavy objects such as books, furniture, household tools, etc. big toys… fell to the feet. Often parents will only realize the problem when they hear the baby crying. Before taking your child to the doctor, you can perform some simple but effective first aid actions.

1. Elevate the injured area to reduce pain and edema

This is the most important thing to do within the first 48 hours. As soon as you find out that your baby has a broken finger/toe, put him or her in a comfortable position, in a chair or on your mother's lap. Use a blanket or pillow to elevate your baby's injured hand or foot. In the following hours, regularly have the baby sit or lie in a position where the injured hand/foot is above heart level.

2. Apply ice

Use a plastic bag of ice (or a clean bag of frozen vegetables available in the freezer) to apply to the affected area. Wrap the ice pack in a thin cotton towel. Keep the pack on the affected area for 20 minutes. Do this every 1-2 hours for the first 24 hours, then 3-4 times in the second day.

If an ice pack is not available, an ice bowl can be used instead. Pour water into a large bowl, add some ice cubes and dip your baby's whole hands/feet into it. Your baby may feel uncomfortable at the moment, but this method will help reduce swelling and pain very effectively in the long run.

3. Pain relief

Stamping fingers/toes is extremely painful for children. That's because this area has a lot of nerve endings and receptors. Give your baby a pain reliever (paracetamol, ibuprofen) exactly as directed. Medicines not only relieve pain but also reduce inflammation.

Listening to music or watching a favorite cartoon also helps your baby feel more comfortable. For older children, focusing their thoughts, breathing deeply and evenly also helps to improve the situation.

4. Check for signs of fracture

Before going to the doctor, monitor your baby for a few hours at home.

If your baby starts to use the injured hand (in the first few days, he'll probably be very stealthy), chances are the bone won't break. Even if you have a small fracture, you don't need to rush to the doctor overnight. You can wait until the next morning, unless your fingers and toes are abnormally curved.

- If immediately after the accident, it is difficult for the baby to use the injured finger/toe, the child should be taken to the doctor for X-ray, timely detection of the fracture.

If the finger is swollen, deformed, and the baby is in a lot of pain, the bone is likely broken. It is necessary to limit the movement of this finger and take the baby to the emergency room immediately.

- If there is only swelling but no deformed or crooked fingers, there is a possibility of a small fracture, you can wait until morning to take the baby to see a doctor.

5. Check for nail damage

The nail may be bruised, broken, peeled, or have a blood pool under the nail. If the nail is partially peeled, apply an antibiotic cream and then cover it with a bandage so it doesn't accidentally peel off again. If the hematoma is large, you need to take the baby to the doctor.

The doctor may drill a hole in the nail to drain the hematoma, which can reduce pain. This procedure is performed within the first 24 hours, after which the blood begins to thicken and cannot be aspirated.

Take your baby to the doctor if:

- Baby has a fever of more than 30 degrees Celsius

- There are signs of infection: swelling, heat, redness or appearance of pus, drainage in the affected area.

- Increasing pain and swelling (young children who are not yet able to speak may cry loudly and cannot be comforted).

Dr. Thu Thuy - VnExpress