How do you treat finger swelling?

Question

I WAS PLAYING BASKETBALL AND THE BALL FELL ON MY FINGER (INDEX) IT ISN'T BROKENBUT ITS VERY SWOLLEN. WHAT CAN I DO? SHOULD I USE ICE?

Answer 1

Sometimes, with this type of injury, the finger joint can be dislocated. There is no way of knowing this without geting an x-ray. Hopefully you are applying ice intermittently and taking some tylenol or ibuprofen for the discomfort. If the finger is dislocated, you need to get it back in alignment as soon as possible.

Answer 2

For the first 48 hours, use ice for your injury. Apply it every 20 minutes, making sure there is a barrier (like a towel) between the cold and the skin. Elevate the area as much as possible above the level of the heart. You might want to stabilize it by taping it to the middle finger for the next day or so. An anti-inflammatory like Motrin can help reduce swelling and discomfort. After a day or so, let the finger be mobile and move it as much as possible without pushing through pain.
After 48 hours, you can start alternating heat and cold for the injury. If you still have discomfort after this, get an x-ray to look for a smaller fracture. If at any time the tip of your finger becomes blue/purple, cold, or numb go to an ER ASAP.

Answer 3

you should put some ice on it but no more than 20 minutes at a time because you can actually cause more damage by leaving ice on for too long

Answer 4

I also think that perhaps you should get it looked at if the pain doesn't go away.