
A black fingernail is caused by a build-up of blood under the fingernail, which is usually the result of an impact or trauma to the finger. Ice and anti-inflammatory medication are usually sufficient to treat the condition, but if it is particularly painful, your doctor may drain the blood from under the nail.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Black fingernail | Build-up of blood under the fingernail |
Black fingernail | Direct trauma to the finger |
Black fingernail | Pain |
Black fingernail | Ice and anti-inflammatory medication |
Black fingernail | Numb the finger |
Black fingernail | Remove the nail |
Black fingernail | Leave it open to the air |
Black fingernail | Pitted nails |
Black fingernail | Nail evulsion |
What You'll Learn
- Black fingernail is caused by blood build-up under the nail, usually due to finger trauma
- Ice and anti-inflammatory medication can treat black fingernails
- Painful black fingernails may require blood drainage by a doctor
- Infection around the nail can cause a nail infection to turn greenish black
- Nail evulsion may be required if the nail bed is infected
Black fingernail is caused by blood build-up under the nail, usually due to finger trauma
A black fingernail is caused by a build-up of blood under the fingernail, known as a subungual hematoma. This is usually the result of finger trauma or impact. If you have a black fingernail, you will have felt pain from the initial trauma.
In most cases, ice and anti-inflammatory medication are sufficient to treat it. However, if it is particularly painful, your doctor may drain blood from under the nail. This can be done by injecting a local anaesthetic into the finger to numb the nail, then making a hole in the nail to allow blood to drain through. The pressure under the nail is then reduced. Your doctor may use a cauterisation, needle, or even a sterilised paperclip to drill or burn the hole in your nail.
If the bleeding covers more than 25% of the nail, then you should seek medical attention as the blood under the nail may need draining. In some cases, like if the nail bed is infected, the doctor might have to remove the nail by force. This procedure is called a nail evulsion. First, they numb up your finger with a local numbing treatment.
If you have a black fingernail, it is important to leave it alone because there is new nail growing underneath. The new nail will push up the old nail, and it will come off when it’s ready. If you pull it off, you can cut it down but let the injury grow out on its own.
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Ice and anti-inflammatory medication can treat black fingernails
If you have a black fingernail, also known as a subungual hematoma, it is caused by a build-up of blood under the fingernail. This is usually a result of an impact or trauma to the finger. In most cases, ice and anti-inflammatory medication are sufficient to treat it. However, if it is particularly painful, your doctor may drain blood from under the nail.
If you have a black fingernail, you will have felt pain from the initial trauma. Ice can be used to reduce the pain and swelling caused by the trauma. Apply ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day. You can also take anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce the pain and swelling.
In addition to ice and anti-inflammatory medication, there are other things you can do to treat a black fingernail. Keep the nail clean and dry to prevent infection. You can also use a bandage to protect the nail bed from further trauma.
If the black fingernail is due to an infection, you may need to seek medical attention. Redness and swelling around a nail can be a sign of an infection, and you may need to take antibiotics to treat it. If the infection is severe, you may need to remove the nail.
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Painful black fingernails may require blood drainage by a doctor
If you have a black fingernail, it is usually caused by a build-up of blood under the fingernail due to impact or trauma to the finger. This can cause considerable pain and may require blood drainage by a doctor.
If the bleeding covers more than 25% of the nail, then you should seek medical attention as the blood under the nail may need draining. A doctor will inject a local anaesthetic into the finger to numb the nail and then make a hole in the nail to allow blood to drain through. This will reduce the pressure under the nail. The doctor may use a cauterisation, needle, or even a sterilised paperclip to drill or burn the hole in the nail. No follow-up treatment is usually necessary, but occasionally, the whole nail might need to be removed.
In most cases, ice and anti-inflammatory medication are sufficient to treat a black fingernail. However, if the nail bed is infected, the doctor might have to remove the nail by force in a procedure called nail evulsion. First, they will numb up your finger with a local numbing treatment.
If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection. When diagnosed early, you can often treat an infection with soaks and antibiotics. If an open sore forms, you’ll need more extensive treatment.
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Infection around the nail can cause a nail infection to turn greenish black
If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection. When diagnosed early, you can often treat an infection with soaks and antibiotics. If an open sore forms, you’ll need more extensive treatment.
If you have an infection around your fingernail, the nail can turn greenish black. Without treatment, a nail infection tends to worsen. Treatment can get rid of your pain and tenderness and help clear the infection.
Infection around the nail can be caused by bacteria. If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection. When diagnosed early, you can often treat an infection with soaks and antibiotics. If an open sore forms, you’ll need more extensive treatment.
If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection. When diagnosed early, you can often treat an infection with soaks and antibiotics. If an open sore forms, you’ll need more extensive treatment.
If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection. When diagnosed early, you can often treat an infection with soaks and antibiotics. If an open sore forms, you’ll need more extensive treatment.
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Nail evulsion may be required if the nail bed is infected
If the nail bed is infected, nail evulsion may be required. This procedure involves removing the nail by force. First, the finger is numbed with a local anaesthetic. Then, the doctor will make a hole in the nail to allow blood to drain through. As a result, the pressure under the nail reduces. They may use a cautery, needle, or even a sterilized paperclip to drill or burn the hole in your nail. No follow-up treatment is usually necessary. However, occasionally, the whole nail might need to be removed. No post-treatment is necessary.
If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection. When diagnosed early, you can often treat an infection with soaks and antibiotics. If an open sore forms, you’ll need more extensive treatment.
A black fingernail or subungual hematoma is caused by a build-up of blood under the fingernail. This usually results from an impact or trauma to the finger which can cause considerable pain. In most cases, ice and anti-inflammatory medication are sufficient to treat it. However, sometimes if it is particularly painful, your doctor may drain blood from under the nail.
If you have a black fingernail, seek medical attention as the blood under the nail may need draining. Local anaesthetic injected into the finger will numb the nail. Then your doctor will make a hole in your nail to allow blood to drain through. As a result, the pressure under the nail reduces. They may use a cautery, needle, or even a sterilized paperclip to drill or burn the hole in your nail. No follow-up treatment is usually necessary. However, occasionally, the whole nail might need to be removed. No post-treatment is necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
A black fingernail is caused by a build-up of blood under the fingernail due to impact or trauma to the finger. In most cases, ice and anti-inflammatory medication are sufficient to treat it. However, if it is particularly painful, your doctor may drain blood from under the nail.
If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection. When diagnosed early, you can often treat an infection with soaks and antibiotics. If an open sore forms, you’ll need more extensive treatment.
Don't pull it off! You can cut it down, but let the injury grow out on its own. Leave it alone, because there is new nail growing underneath.