Article: It's important to stop using the finger for anything after you injure it. No matter how you got the injury, stop what you're doing and assess the injured finger. Seek immediate medical attention if your finger: Feels numb or you cannot move it Hurts, especially in the bones over the joints Has red streaks extending from the injury Has been injured before Is cut or broken and the bone is visible If you have a minor sprain, you can splint it until you can see a doctor. Buy a splint in the first aid section of a drug store or use a straight, hard object. Choose something that is about the same length or slightly longer than the finger. A clean tongue depressor or popsicle stick works well. Once you have a splint, press it against the underside of the injured finger and hold it there gently. Don't squeeze the finger or apply pressure to the injured area. Make sure to position the splint so that it is under the injured joint. Next, secure the splint to the finger by wrapping medical tape around it 3 times at 2 separate points. Wrap medical tape around the finger at the base of the fingernail and above the knuckle next to the hand. Make sure that the tape is snug, but still loose enough to ensure good circulation. If you don't have medical tape, you can also use regular clear tape. Wrap an ice pack in a towel or paper towel and press it against the injured finger. Ice the finger for 10 to 20 minutes, and then remove it from the ice pack. Then, wait for the skin to return to its normal temperature before icing it again. This will take about 1 to 2 hours. If you don't have an ice pack, a bag of frozen corn or peas also works well. Just wrap it in a clean cloth or paper towel first. If the finger hurts, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. This will help you to get some relief. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for how much to take and how often to take it. Keep in mind that the pain should start to subside after the first 24 to 48 hours. However, if the pain is worse or isn't improving, call your doctor. Holding your affected hand above the level of your heart will help to reduce swelling. Prop your hand up on a pillow while you're seated or lying down, or hold it up near your shoulder while you're standing.

What is a summary?
Assess the injury and stop using the finger immediately. Place the finger against a splint or clean popsicle stick. Wrap medical tape above and below the point of injury. Apply ice to the injured finger to reduce pain and swelling. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. Keep your hand elevated above the level of your heart.