How to Bandage Swollen Fingers

Swollen fingers alone don’t warrant bandaging. Arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome can cause finger swelling and do not require bandages. But swollen fingers that are cut or fractured should be bandaged to protect and isolate them from further injury. Cleaning and dressing wounds are necessary requisites to ward off infection. Bandaging can include unaffected fingers so that movement is inhibited, with fingers less likely to get damaged. It’s also paramount that your bandages provide protection without cutting off circulation.

Things You'll Need

• Topical antibiotic
• Sterile dressings
• 2-inch sterile gauze
• Scissors

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Instructions

• 1

  Examine the hand to check for broken skin or blood. Clean the hand and all wounds thoroughly. Apply a topical antibiotic, and use sterile dressings to cover gaping wounds or where appropriate. All wounds should be cleaned before bandaging.

• 2

  Hold the injured hand out. Do not force the fingers to close together, but allow them to be naturally positioned.

• 3

  Unwind the end of a 2-inch roll of sterile gauze. Start the gauze on the palm of the hand at the base of one of the injured fingers.

• 4

  Wrap the injured fingers together. Use circular and slightly diagonal turns going toward the fingertips and then back toward the base. Do not wrap tightly, but just enough to hold the bandage in place.

• 5

  Secure the bandage by bringing the gauze over the front of the hand, around the wrist and back around the fingers.

• 6

  Repeat steps 4 and 5.

• 7

  Tuck the end of the gauze into the wrap at the wrist. Using scissors, cut the gauze and tuck it in. The position is not so critical, just make sure it is secure. Use a fastener or two if desired.