My finger is numb after a cut - what should I do?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

There is hardly a person who has not cut his finger at least once in his life - with a knife during cooking, with a tool during repairs, etc. However, few people know what exactly needs to be done in this case, and what inaction can lead to.

Types of cuts

Depending on what kind of object caused such an injury, several types of possible wounds are distinguished:

• Chipped. Formed if you wielded an awl or a knife with a fine tip. Usually such wounds are small in size in length and width, but very deep;
• Narrow. This type of damage can be caused by a knife, glass or other sharp-edged object. In this case, on the contrary, the external size of the wound will be large, and the depth will be small;
• Torn. Formed under high pressure, for example, when struck with a blunt object - the skin simply cracks. A distinctive feature of this option is uneven, torn edges, as well as more painful sensations.

First aid

The first steps are the same for both deep and shallow finger cuts.

1. The injured arm must be lifted up to help stop bleeding. At this time, with a good hand, you need to get a first-aid kit or ask someone from others about it;
2. We wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide. For small injuries, you can use a large number, but in the case of deep wounds, you must limit yourself to superficial treatment;
3. After stopping the bleeding, the edges of the wound should be treated with a small amount of iodine;
4. Apply a tight bandage.

There are several nuances here. Very often, the bandage is applied directly over the wound or on a cotton swab. This is an incorrect approach, because when changing the dressing you will face a very serious difficulty - it will simply dry out on the healing skin, so you will have to tear it off along with the top layer of the epidermis. To prevent this from happening, wrap the affected area with paper, and only then apply a gauze bandage.

Numbness

Loss of sensitivity often occurs after a deep cut in the finger. Many simply do not pay attention to it, although they should. Loss of sensitivity with a deep cut in the finger indicates that the nerve endings are affected. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If small nerve endings are affected, then sensitivity can be restored on its own. This process is not fast, so you will need to be patient. But over time, the sensitivity in the finger will fully recover.

If a nerve is involved, stapling may be required. In such a situation, only an experienced doctor will help you. Recovery will take longer but will be effective.

If you ignore the incipient numbness and do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, you can completely lose sensitivity in the damaged area. It is also worth visiting a specialist in the case when the sensitivity returns very slowly, or there is no positive dynamics to healing at all.

Medication treatment

Naturally, in traditional and folk medicine there are a number of tools aimed at accelerating wound healing.

The use of special ointments is prescribed in the following cases:

• deep cut;
• suppuration of the wound;
• skin problems;
• trauma to the child.

Most ointments have an antibacterial effect, so they are prescribed to treat wounds and abrasions in young children, not only to speed up healing, but also to disinfect the damaged area.

Among the most effective and well-known healing agents, the following drugs are distinguished:

• "Solcoseryl" - used in the form of an ointment or gel, depending on the complexity of the cut of the finger, stimulates the production of collagen, has disinfecting and protective properties, is the prevention of rough scars;
• Actovegin is a cheaper analogue of Solcoseryl. An important difference is the prohibition on the use of ointment or gel by pregnant women, as well as women during lactation;
• Levomekol is a fairly well-known remedy that has proven its effectiveness for decades. Helps with common injuries and suppuration. Has no contraindications;
• Eplan is a remedy recommended for children. Eplan is produced in the form of a gauze or antiseptic napkin, in the form of a cream, and also in solution. It has many positive effects on the damaged area - relieves swelling, accelerates healing, is a mild pain reliever, and also plays the role of an antiseptic. It has no contraindications. Such a tool has only one drawback - a rather high price;
• In case of suppuration, doctors prescribe ichthyol, Vishnevsky's ointment, "Biolin", as well as a number of other drugs that fight bacteria - the sources of infection and the occurrence of suppuration.

The choice of remedy should be based on each individual case. You should not use ointments against suppuration if the infection has not entered the wound - standard healing agents will do.

Traditional medicine recipes

Highlight the recipes needed to stop bleeding and effectively heal damage. Healing agents are not recommended to be used in conjunction with medicated ointments, since very frequent dressing changes will only have a negative effect.

Recipe 1. Nettle

This remedy is primarily aimed at stopping bleeding. It can help even when a person has minor bleeding problems.

It is necessary to put nettle leaves in a glass bottle - as much as it will fit, and fill it with alcohol or 40-degree vodka. After that, the bottle is placed in the sun for 14 days. The finished infusion is filtered and used for making lotions.

Recipe 2. Spruce resin

One part of spruce resin, honey, sunflower oil and wax are heated in a water bath and mixed. After the ointment has cooled down, it can be used 2 times a day with dressing.

Recipe 3. Cognac

High-quality cognac must be taken in the amount of 75% of the bottle and filled with ordinary salt. The amount of salt must be sufficient to fill the cognac level. After that, the bottle must be closed and shaken. Before using the solution, at least 30 minutes must pass.

Such a solution is used for wiping and making lotions. The first few uses will be quite painful, but then the pain will go away completely. It is necessary to moisten cotton swabs very carefully so that the salt from the bottom does not get onto the cotton.

Recipe 4. Aloe

Good for shallow cuts. For the most effective healing and disinfection, it is necessary to attach the leaf cut to the wound and secure it with a gauze bandage for at least 20 minutes.

Minor finger cuts can be treated at home and can be cured with home remedies as well. They usually disappear within 3-4 days and in most cases do not leave scars. If the damage is deep, it is possible that a nerve or artery is touched, and if a laceration occurs, the best solution is to take first aid measures and visit a traumatologist.

He will check for possible damage, sew a torn nerve, artery or lacerated wound, if necessary, and prescribe a set of measures aimed at preventing complications and speedy wound healing.