How to Heal a Sprained Thumb: Tips, Remedies, and Prevention

All types of swelling or sprain can be easily cured sitting at home with ice. Ice helps in stopping swelling in the ligaments and bleeding from the broken ligament. It numbs the nerves and prevents you from feeling the pain, which provides relief for some time.

Required Ingredients

• Ice
• Towel

How to use

• Wrap the ice in a towel and apply it on your sprained thumb
• Now press your thumb with light pressure for 15 to 20 minutes
• By doing this, the nerves will become numb and you will get relief

When to use

• It is advisable to apply ice within 48 to 72 hours of the injury, repeat this process 3 to 4 times every 2 hours.

Read More - (Thumb pain)

Turmeric reduces irritation, swelling and pain. It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help in eliminating the sprain and swelling in the thumb.

Ingredients

• Turmeric powder
• Half a glass of water
• 1 lemon
• Clean cloth

Method of use

• Mix 2 teaspoons of turmeric in warm water and make a paste
• Adding lemon juice to it proves to be more effective
• Apply this mixture on your thumb
• Now cover it with a bandage or a clean cloth
• Let the cloth remain tied for 2 to 4 hours or overnight for turmeric to show its effect
• Along with this, drink a glass of warm milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of turmeric every night before going to bed

When to use

• You can use this turmeric remedy twice a day, until the thumb sprain is completely cured.

Read More - (Home remedies for thumb pain)

Garlic is an excellent home remedy for sprain, this is because it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the sprain, which reduces swelling and irritation. It provides relief from pain and speeds up the healing process. Apart from sprain, garlic also helps in improving your immune system.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 2 teaspoons garlic juice
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons almond oil

How to use

• Clean your affected skin with lukewarm water and dry it
• Now grind the garlic and extract its juice and mix it with equal amounts of coconut oil.
• Now massage this mixture gently with the help of your thumb
• Repeat again if needed
• Apart from this, if you want, you can also use almond oil instead of coconut oil.

When to use

• Use this remedy twice a day for 2 weeks.

Read More - (First aid for sprain)

After trying the above remedies, when your thumb sprain and pain reduce a little, massage the soft tissues of the affected part lightly. This remedy will treat your affected ligament and massage will also improve blood flow to the thumb.

Required Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

How to use

• Slightly warm coconut oil and olive oil
• Now apply it on your affected thumb
• Massage the thumb for 5 to 10 minutes
• After completing the massage, take a hot towel and tie it on your thumb
• Repeat again if needed

When to use

• Do this remedy 3-4 times a day, until the thumb sprain is cured.
• With all these remedies, take special care that there is no force or pressure on your thumb. Rest your affected thumb for at least 48 hours, otherwise the condition may become even more serious. Use the other thumb in your daily tasks.

Read More - (Carpal tunnel syndrome)

Some home remedies can be effective in reducing pain and swelling in case of thumb sprain. First of all, it is important to rest the thumb. Applying ice on the affected part provides relief from swelling and pain. Wrap the ice in a cloth and use it for 15-20 minutes. Applying a paste of turmeric and milk reduces swelling, as turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. Dipping the thumb in lukewarm salt water also helps in reducing swelling. In case of severe pain, drinking ginger tea or doing a light massage with pain relieving oil is also beneficial.