You can also try adhesive sports tape, but this may irritate the skin and make it harder to remove.
When the thumb is sufficiently wrapped, cross the bandage over the back of the hand and down to the wrist. You can cut off any excess wrap.
Numbness, tingling or a sense of pressure can also indicate the bandage is applied too tightly.
Rest your thumb on a soft surface and do not try to use it for things, particularly physical activities that could injure it further. Apply ice to your thumb to help reduce pain and swelling. Your ice pack can be a bag of ice or a bag of small frozen vegetables like peas. Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a cloth so that it does not rest directly against your skin. Hold the ice pack on your thumb for 10 – 20 minute intervals. Compress the thumb with the wrapping. Elevate your thumb for five seconds and then bring it back to its resting position. Repeat this process every hour or so.
The recommended dose is 200 to 400 mg taken orally every four to six hours. Eat something when you take the ibuprofen to avoid getting an upset stomach. You can also use NSAID gels, which you apply to the skin around where the pain is most severe. Massage the gel into your skin so that it is absorbed fully.
Spread arnica cream, which you can purchase at your local pharmacy, over your sprained thumb. Adding a drop or two of geranium or lavender essential oil to the arnica cream may help further reduce bruising.
Rotate the thumb in circles. Pick up small objects like marbles or pencils. Put a little pressure on your thumb as you squeeze the object. Repeat for five minutes. Squeeze a small ball in one hand. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat. Do two sets of 15 to help strengthen your grip. Move your thumb away from the rest of your fingers. Keep it as far away from your fingers as you can for five seconds, and then return it back to its normal position. Bend your thumb down towards your palm. Keep your thumb as close to your palm as you can for five seconds. After five seconds have passed, return it back to its normal position. Move your thumb away from your palm. This action should be like you are doing a coin toss. Extend your thumb away from your palm for five seconds, then return it to its normal position. Do not apply any external forces to the sprain until late into recovery, if at all. Allow your sprained thumb to do the work — don’t pull it or hold it with your other hand.
Try to avoid fatty, starchy, or sugary foods.
Sharp, pulsating and/or excruciating pain Swelling Bruising
Repetitive activities that involve the thumb and put excessive pressure on its joints. Sports like basketball, volleyball, and other sports where there is a good chance that the ball will put a lot of pressure on your thumb Contact sports like rugby and martial arts.
In order to be completely effective, the bandage must be removed, the injury left to rest, and the bandage re-applied a few times a day. In this way, the lymphatic system can complete its evacuation of the injury site.
