How to Buddy Tape

Buddy taping refers to taping an injured finger or toe to an uninjured finger or toe that is next to it. This protects the injured finger or toe and keeps it from moving while the injury heals.

You may buddy tape a finger or toe if you have a minor sprain. Your health care provider may buddy tape your finger or toe if you have a sprain, dislocation, or fracture. You may be told to replace your buddy taping as needed.

What are the risks?

Generally, buddy taping is safe. However, problems may occur, such as:

• Skin injury or infection.
• Reduced blood flow to the finger or toe.
• Skin reaction to the tape.

Do not buddy tape your toe if you have diabetes. Do not buddy tape if you know that you have an allergy to adhesives or surgical tape.

How to buddy tape

Before Buddy Taping

Try to reduce any pain and swelling with rest, icing, and elevation:

• Avoid any activity that causes pain.
• Raise (elevate) your hand or foot above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.

Buddy Taping Procedure

• Clean and dry your finger or toe as told by your health care provider.
• Place a gauze pad or a piece of cloth or cotton between your injured finger or toe and the uninjured finger or toe.
• Use tape to wrap around both fingers or toes so your injured finger or toe is secured to the uninjured finger or toe.
  • The tape should be snug, but not tight.
  • Make sure the ends of the piece of tape overlap.
  • Avoid placing tape directly over the joint.
• Change the tape and the padding as told by your health care provider. Remove and replace the tape or padding if it becomes loose, worn, dirty, or wet.

After Buddy Taping

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Watch the buddy-taped area and always remove buddy taping if:
  • Your pain gets worse.
  • Your fingers turn pale or blue.
  • Your skin becomes irritated.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have pain, swelling, or bruising that lasts longer than three days.
• You have a fever.
• Your skin is red, cracked, or irritated.

Get help right away if:

• The injured area becomes cold, numb, or pale.
• You have severe pain, swelling, bruising, or loss of movement in your finger or toe.
• Your finger or toe changes shape (deformity).