Isla Bennett
Jammed fingers are a common injury, often caused by catching your finger in a door or hitting it with a hammer. The recovery time for a jammed finger depends on the severity of the injury. Most jammed fingers start to feel better within a few days to a week, but more severe cases can take several weeks or more to fully heal. If the injury involves the fingernail, it may fall off within a week or two, and a new fingernail will usually take about 4 to 6 months to grow back.
How long does a jammed fingernail take to heal?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Healing time for a smashed finger | Depends on the severity of the injury and location |
| Time for minor injuries to heal | 3-4 days |
| Time for severe injuries to heal | A few weeks or more |
| Time for a new nail to grow back | 4-6 months |
| Time for the nail bed to heal | 7-10 days |
| Time for a new nail to grow back (according to Harvard Health) | 2 months |
| Time for toenails to grow back (according to Harvard Health) | 4 months |
| Time for toenails to grow back (according to Seattle Children's) | 12 months |
| Time for a broken bone in the finger to heal | 4 weeks |
| Time for pain to subside | 1-3 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Healing time depends on the severity of the injury
The healing time for a jammed fingernail depends on the severity of the injury. A smashed finger can lead to trauma to the finger, resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling, and bruising. In most cases, the pain and swelling should subside within a few days with proper at-home care. Applying ice, elevating the finger, and taking over-the-counter pain medication can help manage the symptoms. It is important to keep the injury clean and apply a bandage if needed.
If the injury is more severe, such as a deep wound, suspected broken finger, or persistent bleeding, it is crucial to seek medical attention. A doctor may need to perform stitches or other treatments to promote healing. In some cases, a broken bone in the finger may require a wire to be placed to keep the bone in place. Additionally, if there is blood trapped under the nail, a condition called subungual hematoma, a physician may need to drain the blood to relieve pressure and pain.
The time it takes for a new nail to grow back can vary. For adults, a fingernail may take about two months to grow back completely, while a toenail can take up to four months. For children, the nail bed should be covered by new skin within about seven days, and a new nail will grow in over six to eight weeks. However, if the nail bed was damaged, the new nail may have permanent cosmetic changes, such as grooves, ridges, or misshapen.
It is important to note that even if there is no fracture, a severely jammed finger can lead to permanent joint deformity and stiffness if not given appropriate treatment. Therefore, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical care if you are unsure about the severity of the injury.
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Signs of a fracture
A smashed or jammed finger can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to heal, depending on the severity of the injury. In the case of a fingernail injury, it can take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal, and a new fingernail will take around 4 to 6 months to grow back. If there is a broken bone involved, it will take about 4 weeks to heal.
Now, here are the signs that indicate a fracture:
A fracture, or broken bone, can occur at the end of a bone where it grows, which is known as the growth plate. This type of fracture is often the result of a crush injury to the fingertip. There are two specific types of fingertip fractures:
- Seymour Fracture: This is a break in the growth plate, as mentioned earlier.
- Tuft Fracture: This is a break in the bone closest to the tip of the finger.
Both of these fractures typically require the use of a splint or cast to immobilize the bone and promote healing. The healing time for these fractures is generally around 2 to 4 weeks, but it can vary depending on the severity of the injury.
- Deformity: The finger may appear bent or out of shape.
- Swelling: The injured area may become swollen, which can also make it difficult to remove rings or jewellery.
- Pain: Fractures are often associated with intense pain, which may worsen with movement or pressure.
- Bruising: You may notice discolouration or bruising around the site of the injury.
- Limited mobility: The finger may become difficult to move or bend, and performing everyday tasks may become challenging.
If you suspect a fracture, it is important to seek medical attention. A doctor will be able to assess the injury, order X-rays if necessary, and provide appropriate treatment, such as splinting or casting, to ensure proper healing.
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Treating pain and swelling
The first step to treating pain and swelling from a jammed fingernail is to relieve the swelling with an ice pack. Apply ice wrapped in a hand towel or cloth to the injured finger for up to 20-minute intervals, several times a day. Keep your hand or foot above the level of your heart to help ease throbbing pain and slow down the bleeding. You can also use ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling. Acetaminophen helps with pain, but not swelling.
If there is blood trapped under the nail, a condition called subungual hematoma, your doctor may consider draining the blood if it is causing pain. A small hole is created in the nail to drain the blood and relieve the pressure and pain. This procedure can be done at home with a hot, sterilized needle or paper clip, or by a doctor with a sterile blade or needle.
If the injury looks severe, or the pain and swelling persist, seek medical treatment. A severely jammed finger can lead to permanent joint deformity and stiffness if not given appropriate treatment.
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Draining blood under the nail
If you have a jammed fingernail, it's important to assess the damage calmly and determine whether you need medical attention. While minor injuries may heal on their own, you should seek medical help if you experience persistent bleeding, severe pain, or suspect a broken finger.
Now, let's focus on the topic of draining blood under the nail:
If you notice bleeding or a blood clot under your fingernail, it's important to act promptly to address the issue and prevent further complications. Here are the steps you can take:
- Medical Attention: If the injury is located at the fingertip, causes extreme pain, or involves more than just the fingertip, it is recommended to seek medical attention. Your doctor will be able to assess the severity of the injury and provide appropriate treatment options.
- Cleaning the Wound: Before attempting to drain the blood, it's crucial to clean the wound properly. Gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes with soap and water or an antibacterial rinse. This will help prevent infection and ensure that the wound is sterile.
- Numbing the Area: In some cases, your doctor may numb the affected finger with a nerve block to reduce pain during the procedure. They may also use a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort.
- Creating a Drainage Hole: To relieve the pressure and pain caused by the built-up blood, your doctor will create a small hole in your nail. This procedure, known as trephination or decompression, allows the blood to drain out from under the nail.
- Bandaging and Elevation: After the procedure, your doctor will bandage your nail. It is important to keep the finger bandaged and elevated for the first 12 hours. Cold compresses can also be applied to reduce swelling and pain.
- Splinting: In some cases, your doctor may recommend the use of a splint for a few days until the tenderness subsides. This will help protect your finger as it heals and prevent further injury.
- Antibiotics: To prevent infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is important to follow their instructions and take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed.
- Nail Regrowth: After the injury, the affected nail may fall off on its own after several weeks. A new fingernail can regrow in as little as 8 weeks, but it may take up to 4 to 6 months for a fully formed nail to replace the lost nail.
Remember, it is important to seek professional medical advice if you are unsure about how to handle a jammed fingernail or how to drain blood under the nail. Your doctor will be able to provide personalized guidance based on the severity of your injury.
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When to seek medical attention
It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent bleeding or difficulty controlling bleeding.
- Signs of a fracture or broken finger.
- Severe pain or swelling that does not improve with basic treatment.
- Difficulty moving the finger that persists for several days.
- Deep wounds that may require stitches or other medical procedures.
- Loss of the fingernail or toenail.
- Inability to remove rings due to swelling.
- Infection or discolouration around the site of the injury.
- Trauma to the nail matrix, which can result in permanent cosmetic changes.
- Difficulty in performing daily activities due to severe pain.
- Amputation of any part of the finger or toe.
In the case of children, it is important to seek medical attention for any finger or nail injury, as they may need X-rays or other specialised treatments. Additionally, keep in mind that some over-the-counter medications may not be suitable for children, so always consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
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Frequently asked questions
The recovery time for a jammed or smashed fingernail depends on the severity of the injury. Most smashed fingers start to feel better within 3 to 4 days. More complicated or severe cases may take a few weeks or more to fully heal.
If you've injured your fingernail, it's important to treat any inflammation to reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice to the injured area for no more than 15 minutes, and repeat several times a day. Keep your hand above the level of your heart to reduce throbbing.
If you lose your fingernail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow back, and it may have grooves or ridges.
Blood under the fingernail, or subungual hematoma, is caused by sudden trauma to the nail, such as hitting your fingertip with a hammer or slamming your finger in a door.
To relieve pain, you can drain the blood trapped under the nail to reduce pressure and pain. This procedure should be done by a healthcare professional and can provide relief within a few days.
