Ava Monroe
Blood or bruising under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma, is usually caused by trauma or injury to the nail. This can be a single major trauma, such as dropping a weight on the toe, or multiple minor traumas, such as wearing ill-fitting shoes. The condition can be very painful due to the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed. While subungual hematomas usually heal well, they can take months or even years to heal on their own, and the new nail may take up to 9-12 months to grow out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical Term | Subungual haematoma |
| Cause | Trauma or injury to the nail unit |
| Appearance | Brown or black streak or spot on the nail |
| Pain | Intense pain and throbbing |
| Treatment | Drainage, decompression, trephination, cautery, stitches, removal of the nail, ice, elevation, compression, rest, splint, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories |
| Healing Time | A few days to weeks, up to 9-12 months for complete regrowth |
| Complications | Infection, nail loss, disfigurement, nerve damage, melanoma |
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What You'll Learn
- Bruises under the nail, or subungual haematomas, can be caused by trauma or injury to the nail
- They can be very painful and may require draining to relieve pain and pressure
- Bruises under the nail can take up to 9-12 months to fully grow out
- If there is severe damage to the nail bed, the nail may not regrow
- Bruises under the nail can sometimes indicate a more serious issue, such as melanoma or a broken bone
Bruises under the nail, or subungual haematomas, can be caused by trauma or injury to the nail
Bruises under the nail, or subungual haematomas, are usually caused by trauma or injury to the nail. This can be a single major trauma, such as slamming your finger in a door or dropping a weight on your toe, or multiple minor traumas, such as wearing ill-fitting shoes or running. The force of the impact causes the blood vessels under the nail to break and leak, leading to intense pain and throbbing as blood collects and becomes trapped under the nail.
Subungual haematomas can be very painful, but they are usually not dangerous and often heal well. However, there is a risk of complications such as nail loss and infection. If you experience a subungual haematoma, it is important to seek medical attention within two days to relieve the pain and prevent further problems. Your doctor may recommend home remedies or medical treatments depending on the severity of the injury.
Home remedies for minor subungual haematomas include rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the affected finger or toe. Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can also help reduce discomfort, swelling, and pain. However, if the bleeding is severe or accompanied by extreme physical trauma, it is crucial to contact a doctor for advice on medical treatments.
In some cases, a doctor may perform a procedure called nail trephination or decompression to drain the blood from under the nail, providing immediate relief from pain and pressure. This procedure should be done within 48 hours of the injury, after which the blood will start to clot and become harder to drain. If there is severe damage to the nail bed or surrounding tissues, the nail may take longer to grow back and may be malformed or cracked. In rare cases, the nail may fail to regrow at all.
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They can be very painful and may require draining to relieve pain and pressure
A subungual haematoma is the medical term for bleeding and bruising under the nail. It is usually caused by trauma or injury to the nail, such as slamming a door on your fingers or dropping a weight on your toes. This causes the blood vessels under the nail to break and leak, leading to intense pain and throbbing as blood collects and gets trapped under the nail. The pressure from the pooled blood under the nail can be extremely painful.
Subungual haematomas can be very painful and may require draining to relieve pain and pressure. The procedure, called nail trephination, involves making a small hole in the nail with a laser or needle to drain the blood. It is important to note that draining a subungual haematoma should be done within 48 hours after the injury, as the blood will start to clot after this time frame, making it hard to drain. After the procedure, the area may be wrapped with a bandage and may continue to drain for up to 3 days. It is also recommended to keep the finger or toe bandaged and elevated, and to use cold compresses during the first 12 hours after decompression.
While subungual haematomas are usually not dangerous, they can cause severe pain and impact daily activities. If left untreated, the trapped blood under the nail can take weeks to get better. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention within two days of the injury to receive proper care and prevent further complications.
In some cases, a subungual haematoma may indicate a more serious underlying condition. If there is no visible injury or trauma to the nail, it is important to see a doctor to rule out other possible causes, such as melanoma or skin cancer. Additionally, if the pain is severe or lasts longer than a few days, it is recommended to see a healthcare professional to check for infections, fractures, or other injuries.
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Bruises under the nail can take up to 9-12 months to fully grow out
Blood or bruising under the nail is called a subungual haematoma. This occurs when blood vessels under the nail break and leak due to trauma or injury to the nail. The blood gets trapped under the nail, causing pain and a blue, purple, black, or brown discolouration.
Subungual haematomas can be very painful, but they usually aren't dangerous and often heal well. However, there is a risk of complications such as nail loss and infection. If left untreated, the blood under the nail will dry up and leave a dark discolouration that can take a long time to grow out.
The time it takes for a new nail to grow out and replace the discoloured nail can vary from person to person. For fingernails, a new nail can regrow in as little as 8 weeks, while toenails typically take much longer, up to 6 months or even 9 to 12 months in some cases. If there is severe damage to the nail bed, the nail may grow back malformed or cracked, or there may be little to no regrowth.
Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention within a few days of the injury. Doctors can perform a procedure called nail trephination or decompression to drain the blood from under the nail, providing pain relief and potentially preventing further complications.
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If there is severe damage to the nail bed, the nail may not regrow
A subungual haematoma is a bruise that occurs under the nail, usually as a result of trauma to the fingertip or toe, such as being slammed in a door or hit with a hammer. This injury causes blood to pool under the nail, leading to discoloration and, in some cases, severe throbbing pain. While most subungual haematomas resolve without treatment, it is important to note that they can sometimes indicate more severe underlying issues.
If you have sustained a subungual haematoma, it is recommended that you seek medical attention if there is severe damage to the nail bed, if the pain is unmanageable, or if there are signs of infection. A doctor may treat a severe subungual haematoma by draining the pooled blood, a procedure known as trephination. This involves making a small hole in the nail to relieve pain and pressure. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed, especially if it is damaged or torn, or if the finger or toe is fractured.
It is important to properly manage nail bed injuries to ensure good healing and prevent late deformities. Severe damage to the nail bed can lead to complications such as hook nail or split nail. A hook nail occurs when the nail curves around the finger due to insufficient bony support. This can be treated by removing the nail and trimming the nail matrix, which is the tissue the nail rests on. A split nail occurs when the nail cannot grow over scar tissue and can be treated by removing the affected nail and treating or removing the scar to allow for proper nail growth.
In general, it takes approximately one week for a fingernail to start growing back and three to six months for it to fully regrow. However, if there is severe damage to the nail bed, the nail may not regrow at all, or it may regrow malformed or cracked. To promote nail growth and prevent complications, it is crucial to seek prompt medical attention and follow the recommended treatment plan.
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Bruises under the nail can sometimes indicate a more serious issue, such as melanoma or a broken bone
Bruises under the nail, or subungual haematomas, are usually caused by some form of trauma to the nail, such as a heavy object crushing the nail or finger, or a door slamming on the finger. They can be very painful, and the blood that collects under the nail can cause throbbing pain.
Subungual haematomas are typically minor injuries, and the pain usually subsides within a few days. However, if the trauma has caused additional damage, such as a broken bone, deep cut, or other injuries, further treatment and a longer healing time may be necessary. In such cases, a doctor may need to remove the nail or use stitches for deep cuts. Broken fingers or toes may require a splint and can take at least 6–8 weeks to heal.
In rare cases, bruises under the nail can indicate melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma can cause skin discolouration and occasional bleeding. Unlike a subungual haematoma, melanoma is not usually linked to an injury and does not typically cause pain. If you have concerns about the appearance of blood under your nails or if you have a subungual haematoma that is not healing, it is important to consult a doctor.
To diagnose subungual melanoma, a doctor will likely examine the nail closely using a handheld instrument called a dermoscope. They may also order an X-ray to assess for possible fractures. To distinguish between melanoma and a subungual haematoma, the doctor will consider whether there has been a recent injury to the nail or participation in sports such as running or tennis.
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Frequently asked questions
A subungual hematoma is a bruise under the nail that occurs when blood vessels under the nail break and leak blood, usually due to trauma or injury.
Bruises under the nail can take a couple of weeks to several months or years to heal. The trapped blood under the nail can cause excruciating pain that can take weeks to get better.
If you have a bruise under your nail, it is important to seek medical attention within two days to prevent long-term pain and damage to your finger or toe.
Doctors may treat bruises under the nail by draining the blood, which relieves pain and pressure. In some cases, doctors may need to remove the nail or use stitches for deep cuts.
