Toes will need to be bandaged if they have blisters, cuts or become swollen due to stubbing the toe. A bandage not only prevents bleeding and infection, but it stabilizes a painful toe. This can be done in your home with few materials. Always consult your doctor if the pain is intense. Putting off seeing a physician can make recovery longer if the injury is more serious than you predicted.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching any wound or blister. You do not want to cause more problems by infecting an open wound. Scrub under your fingernails and all the way up to your wrists.
Wear latex gloves when cleaning and bandaging open wounds. This keeps the wound from developing an infection and complications. These can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Clean the wound with water to clear away any dirt or debris. Disinfect the wound by washing it with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic, which prevents more bacteria from growing on living tissue.
Wrap sterile gauze around the wounded area. Hold the gauze in place with your gloved hand.
Secure the gauze with medical or athletic tape. Because toes move around so much while we walk, taping two toes together will better hold the bandage in place. Place tape over the top of the injured toe to cover the tip. Secure this piece of tape by placing a perpendicular piece of tape around the ball of the foot.
Tip
Try to keep the bandage dry. If it gets wet, rewrap the wound. Commercially produced toe bandages are designed to wrap toes.
Warning
Consult a doctor if you have distracting pain or signs of infection such as redness and swelling.