How to Bandage a Cut Finger

A finger can get cut any number of ways, including work-related accidents, misuse of kitchen knives and sports-related injuries. It is essential to clean cuts and other skin lacerations as quickly as possible to avoid the wound becoming infected. Always use clean bandages, napkins or paper towels when wrapping a cut finger.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Small dish (optional)
• Clean gauze bandage
• Adhesive tape
• Adhesive bandage

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Keep the finger elevated to reduce bleeding. Apply an ice pack to the wound to avoid swelling while waiting for cleansing materials if necessary.

• 2

  Hold the finger over a sink or dish and pour hydrogen peroxide over the wound to disinfect and cleanse it. The peroxide will bubble over the wound as it is applied.

• 3

  Wrap the finger with a clean gauze bandage. Use adhesive tape to secure the bandage around the finger. Do not bandage so tightly as to cut off circulation but avoid loose-fitting bandages as well. Loose bandaging makes it possible for dirt and other contaminates to make their way into the wound. Wrapping the bandage tightly also helps stop the bleeding.

• 4

  Apply and adhesive bandage to cover the wound. Adhesive bandages come in all shapes and sizes, with some even designed to cover fingertip wounds. For small cuts and scraps, an adhesive bandage should work to protect the wound.

• 5

  Clean the cut with hydrogen peroxide and replace the bandage daily until your finger heals.