The Mystery Of Bruises: Why They Disappear Under Nails

A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail that develops after sudden trauma to your nail — like hitting your fingertip with a hammer or dropping a brick on your toe. It involves bleeding below the hard part of your nail (nail plate), which leads to swelling, nail discoloration and pain.

Subungual Hematoma: Bleeding & Bruising Under the Nail

A subungual hematoma (also called a bruised nail) is an injury to your fingernail or toenail. It involves bleeding below the hard part of your nail (nail plate), which leads to swelling, nail discoloration and pain. Direct trauma to your nail — like something crushing or slamming it — typically causes a subungual hematoma.

It’s hard to prevent bruised toenails and fingernails. These injuries usually happen quickly and unexpectedly, and they can happen while you’re working or doing other necessary tasks.

After a hard impact to your finger or toe, your nail may look bruised. But it’s the tissue under your nail that’s bruised — not your nail itself.

A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail that develops after sudden trauma to your nail — like hitting your fingertip with a hammer or dropping a brick on your toe. A simple drainage procedure can ease your pain and support healing. But you should never attempt subungual hematoma drainage at home.

Untreated fractures could heal incorrectly. “A bone that heals in the wrong position can interfere with how your finger or toe works naturally,” explains Dr. Capin. “It can also cause long-term pain.”

Direct trauma to nail causes subungual hematoma

A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail that develops after sudden trauma to your nail — like hitting your fingertip with a hammer or dropping a brick on your toe. It involves bleeding below the hard part of your nail (nail plate), which leads to swelling, nail discoloration and pain. Direct trauma to your nail — like something crushing or slamming it — typically causes a subungual hematoma.

Direct trauma to your nail can be caused by a variety of things, including:

• Dropping an object on your toe
• Hitting your finger with a hammer
• Crushing your nail in a door
• Slamming your finger in a car door

If you have a large bruise under your nail, there’s a good chance you have a broken bone, also. Untreated fractures could heal incorrectly. “A bone that heals in the wrong position can interfere with how your finger or toe works naturally,” explains Dr. Capin. “It can also cause long-term pain.”

A simple drainage procedure can ease your pain and support healing. But you should never attempt subungual hematoma drainage at home.

Sudden nail trauma leads to subungual hematoma

A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail that develops after sudden trauma to your nail — like hitting your fingertip with a hammer or dropping a brick on your toe. It involves bleeding below the hard part of your nail (nail plate), which leads to swelling, nail discoloration and pain. Direct trauma to your nail — like something crushing or slamming it — typically causes a subungual hematoma.

The tissue under your nail is bruised, not your nail itself. It’s hard to prevent bruised toenails and fingernails. These injuries usually happen quickly and unexpectedly, and they can happen while you’re working or doing other necessary tasks.

A simple drainage procedure can ease your pain and support healing. But you should never attempt subungual hematoma drainage at home.

Untreated fractures could heal incorrectly. “A bone that heals in the wrong position can interfere with how your finger or toe works naturally,” explains Dr. Capin. “It can also cause long-term pain.”

If you have a large bruise under your nail, there’s a good chance you have a broken bone, also.

Bone fractures heal incorrectly in subungual hematoma

A subungual hematoma (also called a bruised nail) is an injury to your fingernail or toenail. It involves bleeding below the hard part of your nail (nail plate), which leads to swelling, nail discoloration and pain. Direct trauma to your nail — like something crushing or slamming it — typically causes a subungual hematoma.

A bone that heals in the wrong position can interfere with how your finger or toe works naturally and cause long-term pain. Untreated fractures could heal incorrectly.

A simple drainage procedure can ease your pain and support healing. But you should never attempt subungual hematoma drainage at home.

It’s hard to prevent bruised toenails and fingernails. These injuries usually happen quickly and unexpectedly, and they can happen while you’re working or doing other necessary tasks.

After a hard impact to your finger or toe, your nail may look bruised. But it’s the tissue under your nail that’s bruised — not your nail itself.

Pain and swelling from subungual hematoma can be eased

A subungual hematoma (also called a bruised nail) is an injury to your fingernail or toenail. It involves bleeding below the hard part of your nail (nail plate), which leads to swelling, nail discoloration and pain. Direct trauma to your nail — like something crushing or slamming it — typically causes a subungual hematoma.

After a hard impact to your finger or toe, your nail may look bruised. But it’s the tissue under your nail that’s bruised — not your nail itself.

It’s hard to prevent bruised toenails and fingernails. These injuries usually happen quickly and unexpectedly, and they can happen while you’re working or doing other necessary tasks.

A simple drainage procedure can ease your pain and support healing. But you should never attempt subungual hematoma drainage at home.

Untreated fractures could heal incorrectly. “A bone that heals in the wrong position can interfere with how your finger or toe works naturally,” explains Dr. Capin. “It can also cause long-term pain.”

Frequently asked questions