How to proceed with cut knuckles

[Raveren]

Hey everyone. I'm new to boxing, roughly 3 weeks of almost every day heavy bag work, as that's all my college cares to give us boxers. About three sessions ago two knuckles on my right hand got cut, I think due to abrasion via a wild punch session. Now I'm trying to figure out where to go from here.
They aren't really painful, I just want whats best long term. Boxing has become my primary means of weight loss, I'm upwards of 280, and I've become seriously passionate about the sport. So ultimately, I've read some people say soft hands will cut, box through it, and others say that if you cut your knuckles you need a break for as long as it takes to heal.*

As of right now I'm just cutting it open again every time I box.

I use 16 Oz gloves for my bag work and wrap my hand correctly, at least in method. I may wrap too light or too tight, as it's hard to find the correct tightness without guidance.

So ultimately, how should I proceed? Do I need to hang up the gloves for awhile? Am I allowed to keep boxing? Will it heal if I do? Are there good treatments to speed up either?

Thanks for your time and happy boxing

[Biolink]

Depends on how bad and deep the cuts are on your hands. As long as it wasn't too painful I'd just fight through it. Maybe put some kind of bandages over them or use knuckle guards when you wrap your hands.

You don't really need to hit the heavybag as hard you would think to be effective and to get an effective workout. Wailing hard on the heavybag like a madman is probably the #1 beginner mistake while hitting it. Most of the punches you throw on it should be faster and snappier kind of punches with the odd punches thrown inbetween where you are blasting it with full power.

Handwrap tightness is completely personal IMO. I wrap tighter and need more knuckle protection because I have hand problems. If my knuckles weren't hurting after hitting the bag all the time(One knuckle though really bad in particular) I would definitely wrap my hands looser to get better a "feel" out of my gloves. It really is an art in its own.

[Dagomba]

I think those gel knuckle pads can help you, even if your wraps are loose. You can take a day or two off the bag work if you want, some people will train with knuckle abrasions just be careful not to get an infection.

[RAV3N]

put band-aids or gauze over the cut and then tape the area with sports tape.

[Soju]

Take a week off heavybag to shadow box and practice footwork. You won't learn much just smashing a heavy bag all the time.


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[HedonisticFrog]

I would do only shadow boxing or very light bag work at most unless the cuts aren't that bad. You can still work on skill development even if you can't do as much conditioning.

[Raveren]

Hello all, thanks for all the advice!

The cuts aren't too deep, but the blood bleeds through all layers of my wraps on my knuckles.

It's been surprisingly healing despite being reopened, but today I decided to work more with running and jump rope and skipped the heavy bag.

I think I'm going to give it until Monday and see where to go from there. Until then, I'll take the advice to focus more heavily on shadowboxing, footwork and form.

[Ray Corso]

Your wrapping poorly that's the only way you'd get damage on your knuckles.
If you have to double up with your wrap (2 a hand) do it! Also add a sponge over the busted knuckle area. Make sure your wraps are CLEAN do NOT use dirty wraps on top of cuts you will get a secondary infection in the area and it will not heal.
Wash your hands with a soap that's not loaded with dirty agents. Let them air out and don't over due using ointments. Once their cleaned properly do not use Hydrogen peroxide it has agents that will slow the healing process.

Your wraps and socks should be clean for every workout, smart conscientious
fighters with smart trainers know that hand and foot problems can be avoided by keeping them clean.
You should be able to use your wraps twice before washing them and they should be rolled up properly when removed.
It takes an extra amount of time but it is YOU! If you don't care about YOU why should anyone else?
Ray

[Wuckoo]

Your wrapping poorly that's the only way you'd get damage on your knuckles.
If you have to double up with your wrap (2 a hand) do it! Also add a sponge over the busted knuckle area. Make sure your wraps are CLEAN do NOT use dirty wraps on top of cuts you will get a secondary infection in the area and it will not heal.
Wash your hands with a soap that's not loaded with dirty agents. Let them air out and don't over due using ointments. Once their cleaned properly do not use Hydrogen peroxide it has agents that will slow the healing process.

Your wraps and socks should be clean for every workout, smart conscientious
fighters with smart trainers know that hand and foot problems can be avoided by keeping them clean.
You should be able to use your wraps twice before washing them and they should be rolled up properly when removed.
It takes an extra amount of time but it is YOU! If you don't care about YOU why should anyone else?
Ray

Sound advice Ray. I see a lot of guys in the gym half-heartedly putting the wraps on and off by just wrapping them as quickly as possible. I take my time. But op this is good advice. Take your time and wrap them carefully. If your knuckles or wrists are sore wrap more around those areas. It may take around 5 minutes to take on and off but it's important. One hand injury from improper wrapping can waste a lot more time thsn 5 minutes.

[Ray Corso]

Hand injuries rarely heal properly and you will have the injury for the rest of your life. Both my hands are problematic and I deal with arthritis that's very debilitating. As a youngster I loved to hit a huge leather heavy bag at my Uncle's gym without wraps or gloves. My fists sunk in deep and it felt great but it took a toll on my knuckles and then a few bare knuckle fights in my latter teens took care of the rest of the damage. Young & dumb is a tuff lesson to learn.
Ray.