Fingertip Amputation (Open Treatment)

Home care

These guidelines will help you care for your wound at home:

• If a numbing medicine was used on your finger, it will usually wear off in 1 to 6 hours. But some medicines can take 12 to 24 hours to wear off. If you start having pain after this time, take the pain medicine you were prescribed as directed. If none was prescribed, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Talk with your health care provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease, if you have had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding, or if you are taking blood thinners.

• Keep the injured hand raised as much as possible during the first 2 days to reduce swelling and pain.

• Keep the bandage clean and dry. If the dressing stays on longer than 2 days, it will stick to the wound. Unless you have a health care provider appointment in 2 days, change the bandage and look for any signs of infection as described below.

• If you were prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, take them as directed until they are gone, or you are told to stop.

• If a special synthetic adhesive device was applied to your fingertip to stop the bleeding, don't remove this piece. Doing so may cause you to bleed again. Allow it to fall off on its own. You may remove the bandages around this however. Your provider will tell you if they are using such a device. 

• If your provider has put a splint on your finger, wear the splint exactly as directed.

• If the dressing sticks to the wound, loosen it by gently wetting with some drops of water the part of the dressing that is stuck.

• After removing the dressing, clean any blood-stained areas around the wound with soap and water. Then apply an antibiotic ointment if recommended.

• Use extra gauze dressing for the first 2 days to protect the wound from further injury. Cover with a nonstick gauze pad or wrap with bandage gauze. After that, if your wound is small and not too painful, a large stretch bandage is okay to use.

• You may shower as usual, but keep the dressing dry by using a small plastic bag over the hand, rubber-banded at the wrist. You can also use a rubber glove like the kind you might wash dishes with. Remember to rubber band the glove at the wrist and forearm. Don't soak your hand in water (no baths or swimming) until your provider says it's okay.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider as advised. If X-rays were taken, you will be told of any new finding that may affect your care.

When to get medical advice

Call your health care provider right away if you have:

• Bleeding that is not controlled by direct pressure.

• Increasing pain in the wound.

• Redness or swelling around the wound.

• Pus or fluid coming from the wound or a foul odor. 

• A fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• Discolored skin or nail.