I'll spare the gruesome details, but about a month ago I squished my index finger in the truck door. It is healing fine, but because of the damage, the nail is loose on one side (the side that got the most damage). I've been having to work with a company cleaning houses, and last week the nail got caught on things a few times, so I had to trim the nail on that side. Now the skin underneath is exposed, and the nail can still catch on things easily. With my job, I need the use of my fingers, and they will get wet. I am trying to figure out a better way to bandage that finger that won't restrict the use of my finger too much, but also keep it protected from getting injured again.
I used to get the finger cots to keep stuff from getting under the nail, but these are only glove tips and are not thick and protective (plus they get holes in them). I've also tried just putting a bandaid around the nail, but when my hands get wet, the bandaid will slip off while I'm scrubbing stuff! I even tried the sport bandaids.
My mom has suggested I just tape some gauze around it as best I can. Can anyone think of any other ideas? I've browsed the first aid aisles of Wal Mart and Walgreens with no luck.
Thanks!
Thanks for all of the responses. I've gotten some "vet wrap" that I'm going to try tomorrow. (You can actually buy it at PetSmart or PetCo.) As for wearing gloves, my hands are very small and gloves don't fit very well. They are more of a hindrance than help.
Have you tried the good ole standard? Cover it with Duck (Duct) Tape? It comes in all kinds of great colors!
The nexcare bandaid work best for getting in water, and if you buy the kiddie kind with the pictures on them they are 2 dollars cheaper than the adult version even though they are the same thing.
WE;ve had injuries like this at our house. I had stitches on my finger i had to keep dry and we had already planned a camping trip the following week. I wore a rubber glove to protect it both from the moisture and snagging. Both the cleaning kind of glove or surgical gloves. I also just cut a finger part of the glove and taped it to my sore finger at the base. The issue with either of these is that your finger/hand will get sweaty so it isn't a long term solution. Good luck!
A.
This isn't original, as I see a few posts mentioned it already, but my first thought was to go buy a box of rubber gloves! They shouldn't be extremely expensive, I'd think. Or even just a pair of the yellow ones that are a thicker rubber, that you can wear many times over. They're not going to be the most graceful-feeling things all of the time, but it sounds like you don't feel that way right now with your injured finger (OW)!
i would either try a finget splint for protection then wrap it with the water proof bandages. if that doesnt help you can always go to the dr and have him/her remove the nail totally. i know sounds bad but i had dropped a brick on my big toes when i was young and it came off totally but it grew back. hope this helps. J.
Rubber gloves over the bandaid?
I'd put some of that liquid bandage on my finger to help protect the skin from chemicals/temperature and put a Bandaid on it and then wear rubber gloves whenever I got my hands in water until it's better.
The gloves are a pain, but it would save you having to try and find something to stick on it/changing bandaids all day long. Plus gloves will help keep your finger from getting dried out from cleaning solutions (even soap isn't good when you have a 'booboo') while it heals.
Hope this helps.
:-) C.
I would think a pair of rubber cleaning gloves or maybe latex gloves should keep the band aid dry. Good luck!
I agree with the liquid bandaid. I have used it and it WORKS!! Good luck!
There used to be a spray on bandaid. It is a spray that would coat the nail. You might try a pharmacy.
try using a glove on it till it heals good luck
walgreens, cvs, wal-mart, etc have a rubber finger cover you can put over your finger to keep it from getting wet and getting cleaning chemicals on the tender skin. they actually look like mini condoms (hee hee) for your finger. i had brokern a nail off waaay far back and i put ointment on the nail, a thin layer of gauze and then this "finger condom" and i even tapped it on with a thin, single piece of medical tape...worked wonders and was less bulky than layering bandaids which get wet and lock in the moisture. good luck with your digit!
Hey S.,
I have a great sugestion that requires the purchase of a few products. My recommendation is that you keep the area covered at all times except during sleep or late evenings when you know you will not be exposing the torn nail to germs and let it air out at that time.
So... what you need.
Betadine (brwon liquid, does stain, and $11 at walmart)
Gauze (square pads, $2-3 at walmart)
Neosporin (brand depends cost)
Saran wrap (brand depends cost)
VET WRAP...($3-4 a roll at feed store) or call a vet office and see if they have some they will sell you. It comes in 2 widths, smaller might be easier, the feed store will only have larger widths. This is the best stuff ever.
So the process....
cut away every excess piece of nail that is not attached to the skin.
carefully smoothe the new edges with a file, it will burn a little.
wash the area with warm water and mild soap.
dry the area throughly.
over the sink, poor some betadine on the area (do not let the bottle tip touch your skin as the betadine is sterile and you do not want to contaminate the bottle, also already have run some water in the sink, so the surface of the bowl is somewhat wet, it makes for easy clean up of the sink area. Betadine will make your finger area golden in color, and it can and does stain clothes. DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE AN IODINE ALLERGY)
Then using a square guaze, goop the center with some neosporin and place the square so that the medicine is on the area.
To make a moisture barrier, use some saran wrap around the guaze. This will prevent things from getting in, but also you will need to uncomver at night clean and dry area and let it air out to heal. Do Not wrap tightly, just a little snug, circulation should remain the same.
Last thing is the wonderful vet wrap. Wrap this Snugly around the area so that it covers all your bandage and then about a half an inch or an ince below the guaze and saran wrap. This stuff will attach to itself and can be smushed against itself to lock it. Again not to tightly but a little more snug than the saran wrap as this is the last thing you are doing to seal the area. The area is clean, protected from outside moisture and the vet wrap is the durable cover to keep it all in place for the day. It can get wet and will stay in place, as long as you are not tugging at it, nor do you on wrap it. If the shape of your fingers causes it to still want to slip, then consider running the wrap around you hand too to help keep it down. The fabric is stretchy and should not restrict movement at all. Again not too tight for circulation. And last tip with VW... cut it where you need to when ready to end bandage. But before you press last piece into place, fold the edge down about a 1/4 inch. then press in place. This makes for super easy unwrapping. Do this to the role too, for easy finding of starting point at next use.
If you love the product as much as me, then google it at various websites. Some are for small animals and most for horse related equipment, but the price is cheaper than the feed/tack/western store by about a dollar a role. We keep it on hand for everything...from our dogs, to our horses to us.
Hope this helps...
-MB
I would suggest that you go to an office supply and get one of those rubber finger cots that they use when they are counting money or turning pages. I think they come with no holes in them. You could then tape it down so it wouldn't come off. Sorry to hear that you smashed your finger and I bet that hurt like a son of a gun. I hope this gives you an idea. Good Luck
