Sophia Delgado
A bruise under a nail, also known as a subungual hematoma, is usually the result of a direct injury to the nail, such as dropping something heavy on the toe or finger. The blood vessels under the nail break and start to bleed, and the blood gets trapped, causing pain and pressure. The pain from a subungual hematoma usually goes away within a few days, but the bruise can last for several weeks. In rare cases, a subungual hematoma can be a sign of something more serious, such as melanoma, so it's important to seek medical attention if you're concerned or if the pain is severe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it called? | Subungual Hematoma |
| What causes it? | Trauma to the nail, such as dropping something on your toe or finger, or a hard impact |
| What does it look like? | A brown, black, purple, blue, or red streak or spot on the nail |
| What are the symptoms? | Severe throbbing pain, discoloration, continuing intense pain, signs of infection (redness, heat, pus), swelling |
| What should you do? | Seek medical attention within 48 hours, keep the area clean and dry, elevate the area, use a cold compress, take anti-inflammatories |
| Treatment | Drainage procedure (trephination), stitches, removal of the nail, splint |
| Healing time | A new fingernail can regrow in 8 weeks, a toenail may take 6 months or longer |
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What You'll Learn
Bruises under nails are called subungual hematomas
A bruise under a fingernail or toenail is called a subungual hematoma. It occurs when blood vessels under the nail break open, causing blood to collect and become trapped under the nail. This can happen when something crushes or slams the nail, such as stubbing your toe or dropping a brick on your toe. It can also be caused by wearing tight shoes or repetitive stress from movements like running.
Subungual hematomas can cause severe, throbbing pain due to the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed. This pressure can put excruciating pressure on the nerves in your finger or toe, making it difficult to work or perform daily activities. If the pain is severe and does not ease within a few days, or if there is bleeding that does not stop, it is important to seek medical attention.
Most subungual hematomas will heal on their own within a few months. Home remedies such as resting, icing, applying compression, and elevating the affected area can encourage healing. In more severe cases, medical treatment may be necessary. A healthcare provider can perform a simple draining procedure called trephination to relieve the pressure and pain.
In some cases, the nail may need to be removed and stitches may be required to repair the nail bed. A new fingernail can regrow in as little as 8 weeks, while a new toenail may take up to 6 months to fully regrow.
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They are caused by trauma to the nail
A bruise under the nail, also known as a subungual hematoma, occurs when there is trauma to the nail, such as dropping a brick on your toe or hitting your fingertip with a hammer. This trauma causes blood vessels under the nail to break open, resulting in blood collecting and becoming trapped under the nail. The pressure from the pooled blood can cause intense and throbbing pain, which can be relieved through a procedure called trephination, where a doctor drains the blood by making a small hole in the nail.
Subungual hematomas can happen with both minor and major trauma and are very common. They can cause the nail to turn purple, blue, or black due to the blood trapped underneath. While they are usually not dangerous, it is important to seek medical attention if there is severe pain or if the injury involves broken bones or damage to the nail bed or surrounding tissues. In some cases, a doctor may recommend removing the nail and using stitches to repair the nail bed.
The pain associated with a subungual hematoma is due to the pressure exerted on the nerves of the finger or toe. This nerve pain can take weeks to improve unless it is addressed by a healthcare provider. The drainage procedure is typically performed within 48 hours of the injury, after which the blood will start to clot and make drainage more difficult. To relieve pain and promote healing, it is recommended to rest the affected digit, use a cool pack, keep the hand or foot elevated, and apply compression.
Most subungual hematomas heal well without any lasting effects. The nail may still look discolored for several weeks, but the bruise will gradually fade as the nail grows back. The time it takes for a new nail to grow out can vary, typically ranging from 8 weeks for a fingernail to 6 months or more for a toenail. In some cases, the new nail may grow back malformed or cracked, or it may fail to regrow at all.
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They can be very painful
A bruise under the nail, or subungual haematoma, is usually the result of a direct trauma to the nail. This can be anything from dropping a brick on your toe to hitting your finger with a hammer. The blood vessels under the nail break and start to bleed, and because the nail is connected to the finger or toe on all sides, the blood gets trapped underneath. This can cause extreme pain and throbbing as the blood puts pressure on the nerves under the nail.
The pain from a subungual haematoma can be excruciating and may interfere with your daily activities. It can be difficult to work or even pick up objects when experiencing this pain. The pressure from the blood build-up can also cause the nail to look blue, purple, black, or brown. The size of the haematoma can vary, with some covering almost the entire nail and others being smaller and not causing any pain.
The pain from a subungual haematoma usually goes away within a few days, especially after the blood is drained. However, if the pain is severe or lasts longer, it is important to see a doctor as it could be a sign of infection, fracture, or other injuries. A simple procedure called trephination can be performed to drain the blood and relieve the pressure and pain. This procedure is typically done within 48 hours of the injury, as after this, the blood will start to clot, making it harder to drain. During the procedure, the affected area is numbed, and a small hole is made in the nail to allow the blood to escape.
It is important to note that attempting to drain a subungual haematoma at home is not recommended as it can lead to serious infection and permanent damage to the nail or finger/toe. Instead, seek medical care, especially if you experience any signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail. Keeping the affected area clean and dry can also help with the healing process. While most bruised nails heal without complications, it is always best to seek medical attention to ensure proper care and prevent any potential issues.
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Drainage can help relieve pain
A bruise under a nail, also known as a subungual haematoma, is usually the result of a sudden injury or trauma, such as dropping a brick on your toe or hitting your finger with a hammer. This type of injury can cause severe and throbbing pain due to the pressure exerted by the pooling of blood under the nail.
While most bruised nails will heal without complications, it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms beyond a simple bruise, such as a broken bone, deep cut, or damage to the nail bed or surrounding tissues. Left untreated, these injuries can lead to incorrect healing, causing long-term pain and interference with the natural function of your fingers and toes.
If you have a bruised nail but no other apparent damage, you can care for it at home by applying ice wrapped in a soft cloth to the area to help ease swelling and pain. However, if the pain worsens or does not subside within a few days, it is important to seek medical care.
Drainage, also known as decompression or trephination, is a simple medical procedure that can effectively relieve pain and support healing in cases of subungual haematoma. The procedure involves draining the pooled blood under the nail to reduce pressure and provide quick pain relief. After the procedure, your doctor will bandage your nail, and you will need to keep your finger or toe elevated and bandaged for the first 12 hours. In some cases, your doctor may recommend the use of a splint or cold compresses during this initial recovery period.
It is important to note that you should never attempt to drain a subungual haematoma at home and should always seek medical care for this procedure. Additionally, be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions for caring for your finger or toe after treatment, as well as any recommendations for follow-up appointments.
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They usually heal without complications
A bruise under the nail, or subungual haematoma, is usually the result of a direct trauma to the nail, such as dropping something on your toe or finger, or stubbing your toe. This causes blood vessels under the nail to break and bleed, with the blood becoming trapped and putting pressure on the nerves, which can be extremely painful.
Despite the severity of the pain, subungual haematomas usually heal without complications. If the injury is minor, it may not require any treatment at all. In this case, any pain should ease within a few days, and the bruise will gradually disappear as the nail grows out. It can take around 6-9 months for a new nail to grow out fully, but this differs for each person.
If the haematoma is small and the pain is mild, it will usually resolve without treatment or complications. However, if the pain is severe, a doctor can perform a simple drainage procedure to relieve the pressure and pain. This is usually done within 48 hours of the injury, after which the blood will start to clot and become harder to drain. After the procedure, the doctor will bandage the nail, and you may need to use a cold compress and keep the area elevated for the first 12 hours. In some cases, a splint may be recommended for up to 3 days.
While subungual haematomas are usually not dangerous, there is a small risk of infection, and the trauma that caused the bruise may have caused other damage. If there is severe damage to the nail bed, the new nail may take longer to grow and may not look normal. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed, and stitches may be required to repair the nail bed.
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Frequently asked questions
A subungual hematoma is a bruise that forms under a fingernail or toenail after trauma.
Symptoms include severe throbbing pain, discolouration, and signs of infection such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail.
The pain from a subungual hematoma usually goes away within a few days. However, the bruise may last for several weeks and the nail may take 6-9 months to grow back.
Seek medical attention within 48 hours. A doctor may recommend a simple drainage procedure to relieve pain and aid healing.
Subungual hematomas are caused by trauma to the nail, such as dropping something on your toe or finger, or stubbing your toe.
