First Aid for Cut Fingers

Many times, while doing work with sharp objects there are chances of getting our fingers cut. So, here, I would like to share some tips that I learned in my First Aid Camp.

A common tendency of people, when they cut their hands is keeping their finger into mouth. It's a wrong belief that the blood we suck from the fingers will join the flow of blood.

The blood we suck actually goes into the food pipe through our mouth. But, the blood gets purified in lungs in the respiratory system. Instead of doing help, it may still cause some problems in your body, when the blood you suck does not get excreted. This may lead to infections and lack of care may lead to furhter complications.

First Aid That Has To Be Followed

• A primary aid for cut fingers is to keep your finger, high in the air. This often comes out of common sense. Where do you see a child's finger when it is cut?? Won't it be raised towards the sky? This would normally stop bleeding if it is a minor wound.
• If a wound is little deeper, then a second degree aid is necessary. This is called Pressure method. First, wash the wound thoroughly with clean water. [The water should flow over the wound. You should not rub or wash with hands as this may cause infection]. After you wash the wound, press over the cut finger tightly for a minute or two. Now this would stop bleeding.
• If the above aid did not stop bleeding, then you have to do something called third degree aid. This is done usually for very deep cuts. This again uses the same principle as applying the pressure, but not directly  on the wound. For, this you need to know the pressure points in human body. If there is a finger cut, then the pressure point would be the arm, i.e., the part below the "ball and socket" bones. Generally, pressure points are those where you find single bones like thigh, arm etc. Now, to apply pressure here, you need to take a cloth and tie it tightly around the arm. You need to remove it every two minutes, wait for 30 seconds and again tie it. Or else remove it for every 5 minutes and tie it after 3 minutes.

Note: Never tie the cloth for more than the prescribed time, as it may clot the blood.

After, the above aids are completed, take the victim to the doctor and get a anti-tetanus injection. If this is neglected, the victim may suffer from Tetanus, which may lead to death.

Another Note: Never apply ointments and oils unless prescribed by the doctor on the wound. This may again cause infection.