smashed open finger - how to wash hair?
June 1, 2015 3:39 PM Subscribe
The end of my index finger was smashed and has a half inch gash that pours blood when jostled. I can bathe with one hand, but how do I was my very long hair so I can be presentable at the office tomorrow? I'm very grimey after working outside, so foregoing a cleaning isn't an option.
I'd head to an Aveda salon or something similar in your area and have one of the stylists wash it for you.
posted by jquinby at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2015
posted by jquinby at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2015
Best answer: Have you seen a doctor? A smashed finger with an open wound that pours blood when jostled seems like it should be a far greater concern than whether or not your hair is clean. If your wound has already been treated by a doctor and dressed, can you wrap your finger in plastic wrap then put a rubber glove over that to shower?
posted by amro at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2015 [34 favorites]
posted by amro at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2015 [34 favorites]
Have you seen a doctor? This sounds like it needs a few stitches thrown in it. Gushing blood at a slight touch isn't a great sign for quick healing and recovery.
Practically, however, wrap it up and put a glove over that hand and secure the wrist with a rubber band. Use mostly your other hand to do your washing and use your injured hand to just kind of gently comb through it.
posted by phunniemee at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Practically, however, wrap it up and put a glove over that hand and secure the wrist with a rubber band. Use mostly your other hand to do your washing and use your injured hand to just kind of gently comb through it.
posted by phunniemee at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Go to the pharmacy and buy some Finger Cots (little condoms for your fingers to keep them clean after a wound.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 3:46 PM on June 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by bottlebrushtree at 3:46 PM on June 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I've had similar injuries. Bandage it good, then tape it to the middle finger and use something for a splint. Then take a sandich baggy, and tape that on to make it water proof(ish), and keep the bandages from coming off.
When you're done, you can remove it, but that will immobilize it enough so you can bathe and it shouldn't bleed much. If it does, the extra bandaging will contain the mess.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 3:46 PM on June 1, 2015
When you're done, you can remove it, but that will immobilize it enough so you can bathe and it shouldn't bleed much. If it does, the extra bandaging will contain the mess.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 3:46 PM on June 1, 2015
Go to a hairdresser. Ideally ask them to french braid it, because that tends to stay in place overnight.
Otherwise, stick your head under the shower and let the water keep running. Once the water is running clear, turn it off, put conditioner on your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. If you can, comb it at this point. Then wash the conditioner out. Tomorrow, smooth down the front of your hair and stick it in a bun, which is reasonably presentable. Then go to a hairdresser.
posted by jeather at 3:47 PM on June 1, 2015
Otherwise, stick your head under the shower and let the water keep running. Once the water is running clear, turn it off, put conditioner on your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. If you can, comb it at this point. Then wash the conditioner out. Tomorrow, smooth down the front of your hair and stick it in a bun, which is reasonably presentable. Then go to a hairdresser.
posted by jeather at 3:47 PM on June 1, 2015
Yeah if you can't do it by yourself after bandaging etc, any hairdresser will do it for you and it can be cheap. I had to get my hair washed in the middle of the day after an exciting incident in the office. Wash & blow dry was $10.
That's cheap enough to do 2-3 times a week. In between, you can just wash your bangs by bending over your hand basin. Clip the rest back or ponytail/bun if you can. It's really the front and top that gives away dirty hair.
Hope your finger heals up soon!
posted by stellathon at 3:56 PM on June 1, 2015
That's cheap enough to do 2-3 times a week. In between, you can just wash your bangs by bending over your hand basin. Clip the rest back or ponytail/bun if you can. It's really the front and top that gives away dirty hair.
Hope your finger heals up soon!
posted by stellathon at 3:56 PM on June 1, 2015
Response by poster: It's after doctor hours here and I'm 45 mins away from the nearest docinbox so it will not receive any medical attention. Likewise I don't know of any hairdressers open at this hour, and I never go to them since my hair takes no attention so I don't have a relationship with one who would do a favor.
I'll try the bandage and glove tonight - many good suggestions above - especially immobilization. Am typing with one finger on phone so I apologize for the poor spelling and short explanation. Thanks!
posted by mightshould at 4:17 PM on June 1, 2015
I'll try the bandage and glove tonight - many good suggestions above - especially immobilization. Am typing with one finger on phone so I apologize for the poor spelling and short explanation. Thanks!
posted by mightshould at 4:17 PM on June 1, 2015
You can wash your hair one-handed, too. I had surgery last summer that required that I never have both hands up above shoulder height at the same time, so I got pretty proficient at it. Mostly you're scrubbing your scalp, anyway, and you can work your way around your head. Just let it rinse for longer than you're used to.
The hardest part for me was putting a towel on my hair after. Man, what an awkward thing to do one-handed!
posted by clone boulevard at 4:20 PM on June 1, 2015
The hardest part for me was putting a towel on my hair after. Man, what an awkward thing to do one-handed!
posted by clone boulevard at 4:20 PM on June 1, 2015
You can do multiple layers of plastic bags, gentle rubber-banded or tied on, over whatever bandaging you have, depending on what you have on hand. (If it's recent and need stitches, of course, do that first.)
I've had the dubious privilege of practicing this not just once, but for FOUR separate issues - two were nasty severe cuts on fingers, two were carpal tunnel surgeries. It's slow and not-fun, but do-able, even with waist-length curly hair that has to be combed-out in the shower after washing and conditioning.
And if cost matters, it's the only way to go. (Hairdresser? Having someone else CUT my hair is a luxury, nevermind just washing it!)
posted by stormyteal at 4:22 PM on June 1, 2015
I've had the dubious privilege of practicing this not just once, but for FOUR separate issues - two were nasty severe cuts on fingers, two were carpal tunnel surgeries. It's slow and not-fun, but do-able, even with waist-length curly hair that has to be combed-out in the shower after washing and conditioning.
And if cost matters, it's the only way to go. (Hairdresser? Having someone else CUT my hair is a luxury, nevermind just washing it!)
posted by stormyteal at 4:22 PM on June 1, 2015
Seconding the respondents who recommend getting medical treatment if it is actively bleeding when "jostled". If washing hair will make it bleed, it needs to be well bandaged. It's good your not complaining about pain.
I recently sliced open an index finger while cutting carrots. I couldn't stop the bleeding and called my medical group. I was directed to an urgent care facility where a $10.00 copay got me a nice set of tera strips?, the stitch replacement bandages. This was good as it's hard to bandage a finger with only one hand.
For bathing and dish cleaning, I simply put a plastic bag over my hand held in place with one of those hair bands. A not super tight rubber band will work just as well. Don't leave it on too long because of cutting off circulation.
posted by Jim_Jam at 4:23 PM on June 1, 2015
I recently sliced open an index finger while cutting carrots. I couldn't stop the bleeding and called my medical group. I was directed to an urgent care facility where a $10.00 copay got me a nice set of tera strips?, the stitch replacement bandages. This was good as it's hard to bandage a finger with only one hand.
For bathing and dish cleaning, I simply put a plastic bag over my hand held in place with one of those hair bands. A not super tight rubber band will work just as well. Don't leave it on too long because of cutting off circulation.
posted by Jim_Jam at 4:23 PM on June 1, 2015
Have you ever used dry shampoo? It usually works fairly well.
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:27 PM on June 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:27 PM on June 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you can get it to seal up by applying pressure then put some liquid band-aid on it to keep it sealed. You can put a glove on over that when you are in the shower.
posted by dawkins_7 at 4:27 PM on June 1, 2015
posted by dawkins_7 at 4:27 PM on June 1, 2015
Put your hair in a pony tail or braids. Get under the shower and just wash the top of your head with shampoo and/or conditioner and let the water run over it longer than usual. You should be able to do the top of your head washing with mainly your uninjured hand. I've done that a few times in a row before having to do a real washing.
posted by BibiRose at 4:30 PM on June 1, 2015
posted by BibiRose at 4:30 PM on June 1, 2015
Nthing getting some medical attention for the finger...it sounds like it may need someone to take a look at it.
For the hair problem, a 'dry shampoo' might help you. Even sprinkling in some cornstarch and then brushing it out (outside, on your doorstep) may help improve the hair situation. Just make sure the cut is well covered, a glove over the bandage would be ideal.
Any local hair place should be able to do a shampoo/rinse for you, even if you're not a regular customer. Expect to pay something + tip, but it usually won't be terribly expensive. :-)
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 4:38 PM on June 1, 2015
For the hair problem, a 'dry shampoo' might help you. Even sprinkling in some cornstarch and then brushing it out (outside, on your doorstep) may help improve the hair situation. Just make sure the cut is well covered, a glove over the bandage would be ideal.
Any local hair place should be able to do a shampoo/rinse for you, even if you're not a regular customer. Expect to pay something + tip, but it usually won't be terribly expensive. :-)
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 4:38 PM on June 1, 2015
If you end up not getting it done, or find that you can't 'do' your hair one handed to look normal, there might be a hairdresser open in the morning that you can go to on the way to work.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 5:43 PM on June 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by the agents of KAOS at 5:43 PM on June 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I accidentally amputated my fingertip a year ago. I also worried about my very long hair. Do you have a bathtub? I used to fill it with water and found it was a lot easier to get my hair wet and rinse in a tub. Shampoo and conditioner are tricky one-handed, but doable - just go slow. I did this for a few weeks with dry shampoo every other day, all one-handed.
posted by umwhat at 6:46 PM on June 1, 2015
posted by umwhat at 6:46 PM on June 1, 2015
Is it possible for you to skip work/arrive later tomorrow and just go see a doctor in the morning? I know that's not always an option, but if it is for you, I think you should take it.
In the meantime, the various plastic bag/additional bandaging suggestions sound like they'll help for washing your hair tonight. But do go see a doctor about that finger!
posted by Owlcat at 7:01 PM on June 1, 2015
In the meantime, the various plastic bag/additional bandaging suggestions sound like they'll help for washing your hair tonight. But do go see a doctor about that finger!
posted by Owlcat at 7:01 PM on June 1, 2015
...my hair takes no attention so I don't have a relationship with one who would do a favor.
It's not a favor, getting your hair washed is a standard salon service on its own, usually accompanied by some sort of styling or a blowout, but you can just explain your situation and tell them to do the bare minimum.
Personally, I'd get up early and hit up urgent care and then a Great Clips in that order first thing in the morning. I would not want to aggravate "pouring blood" by trying to wash your hair yourself tonight.
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:16 PM on June 1, 2015
It's not a favor, getting your hair washed is a standard salon service on its own, usually accompanied by some sort of styling or a blowout, but you can just explain your situation and tell them to do the bare minimum.
Personally, I'd get up early and hit up urgent care and then a Great Clips in that order first thing in the morning. I would not want to aggravate "pouring blood" by trying to wash your hair yourself tonight.
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:16 PM on June 1, 2015
Could you pull it back into a hair clip? It's easier to disguise grimy hair when it's pulled back, and you wouldn't have to run your smashed index finger through your hair (... shudder) through your hair to jam it into a big 'ole banana clip. Not the most stylish look, but presentable.
posted by nerdfish at 6:28 AM on June 2, 2015
posted by nerdfish at 6:28 AM on June 2, 2015
Response by poster: I marked several answers that I combined. First, I wrapped paper towel around the finger, then put a rubber glove over the finger and fastened it with duct tape (which coincidentally served to "splint" it) and then I taped it to the next finger.
Totally hadn't thought that a bath would be easier, but it was - soaping with one hand was a bit difficult, but rinsing was easier to get all of the residue off with all the bath water - perhaps not the best rinse job, but workable. Gathering hair up this morning wasn't simple, but it's decent enough for work.
Prior to bed, I put on a tight-ish bandage and it's still on and not saturated, so things are looking pretty good. I will be able to get some help on my hairwash tomorrow, so the suggestions above got me through.
I appreciate everyone's concerns and help!
posted by mightshould at 11:58 AM on June 2, 2015
Totally hadn't thought that a bath would be easier, but it was - soaping with one hand was a bit difficult, but rinsing was easier to get all of the residue off with all the bath water - perhaps not the best rinse job, but workable. Gathering hair up this morning wasn't simple, but it's decent enough for work.
Prior to bed, I put on a tight-ish bandage and it's still on and not saturated, so things are looking pretty good. I will be able to get some help on my hairwash tomorrow, so the suggestions above got me through.
I appreciate everyone's concerns and help!
posted by mightshould at 11:58 AM on June 2, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bearwife at 3:44 PM on June 1, 2015 [2 favorites]