December 12, 2011
When I was in high school, I crushed my fingernail, known medically as a subungual hematoma or nail bruise. It turned completely black, and it hurt, too.
Concerned that the nail might fall off, my mother suggested I have my grandfather Pappy take a look at the finger. My grandfather was not a doctor; he was a tool and die maker for General Motors, but he was a wise man who could fix anything.
To save the nail, my grandfather took out a small drill bit, sterilized it, and then hand twisted it into the nail until it released the pressure underneath. At the time, I was amazed at how much blood came out of my fingernail. But the pain and the pressure were gone; it was instant relief.
A few weeks ago, my friend Keith had just returned from a week of fishing and diving in the Bahamas. Keith showed me his black fingernail, explained how it happened and indicated his concern that he may lose it. Plus, it was uncomfortable. He is a computer programmer that bangs on the keyboard 50 hours a week.
I told Keith about how my grandfather helped me and suggested he try something similar. He did and was very pleased the pain was gone and his fingernail did not fall off.
First, I want to state that you should always consult a doctor with any medical injury. Infection can be a problem as well as there can be additional damage to the finger other than the bruised nail. Seek immediate medical attention if the finger is deformed, or if the injury is not limited to the tip of the finger.
If a doctor is unavailable, here are the steps for first aid on a smashed finger.
1. Remove all jewelry from the affected hand or foot as quickly as possible as the injury will likely cause swelling that could make removal later difficult or impossible.
2. Wash any cuts or scrapes in soap and water.
3. Keep the hand or foot elevated above the level of the heart. This will help with the throbbing.
4. Apply ice to decrease the swelling.
5. Over the-counter pain medications may help relieve the pain. Try acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for pain, if you are not allergic to these medications.
6. Heat the end of a bent metal paper clip over an open flame until it is red hot. Make certain you are using protective gloves or pliers to hold the paper clip as it will heat up fast. The heat sterilizes the paperclip.
7. While the paperclip is still very hot, touch the tip of it to the injured fingernail. Generally, there is no pain since you are on the nail, not the skin. No need to push very hard as the heat from the paperclip will burn a small hole in the nail. Let the heat burn the hole.
8. Once you remove the paper clip, you should see blood releasing through the small hole. If you do not see blood, repeat the procedure until blood comes out and the pressure is relieved.
9. Keep this finger clean and dry for two days.
If the pressure rebuilds, you can burn another hold. Be sure to wash the finger carefully both before and after this procedure.
When possible, have a doctor examine the nail to make certain everything is OK and there is no infection.
To learn more about first aid emergencies at sea, yacht crew should take a CPR AED First Aid class. First aid is more than just a class you take when you get your captain’s license. It’s a continuous process that requires you to always learn more and update your skills.
If you have not taken a CPR AED and first aid class in the past two years, your certification has expired and you should renew.
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