Isla Bennett
Draining blood from under a fingernail, also known as a subungual hematoma, is a procedure that can be performed at home or by a healthcare professional. This procedure is typically carried out to relieve throbbing pain caused by the pressure of blood collecting under the nail. While small hematomas may not require medical treatment, it is recommended that you seek medical attention if you experience extreme pain, swelling, or an inability to move the affected finger or toe.
How to drain blood from under your fingernail
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical name | Subungual hematoma |
| Causes | Traumatic injury, e.g. stubbing toe, hitting finger with hammer, wearing tight shoes |
| Symptoms | Darkened discolouration, black spots, pressure, pain |
| Treatment | If the area is small, you may not need medical treatment. Ice and elevate the area to reduce swelling, and take anti-inflammatories for pain. If the area is large, a doctor may need to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure. |
| Home treatment | Straighten a paper clip and heat the tip in a flame until it is red-hot. Place the tip of the paper clip on the nail and let it melt through. |
| Warning | If you experience pain after draining blood from under your nail, you may have a more serious injury. Call your doctor for an appointment. |
What You'll Learn
When to see a doctor
Blood under the fingernail, or subungual haematoma, is usually caused by a traumatic injury, such as slamming your finger in a car trunk or stubbing your toe. In most cases, this type of injury is minor and will heal without complications. However, there are certain situations in which you should seek medical attention.
Firstly, if you notice a darkened area under your nail and haven't experienced any injury, it is important to see a doctor to rule out other possible causes. Additionally, if the subungual haematoma covers a large area of the nail surface, it could indicate an injury to the nail bed, which may require stitches and increase the likelihood of complications. In such cases, it is advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you experience extreme pain, swelling, or an inability to move the affected finger or toe, it is important to see a doctor. These symptoms could indicate a fracture or other serious injury. Furthermore, if the injury is at the base of the nail, it is best to seek medical care to prevent further complications.
Finally, if you experience any complications or unusual symptoms during the healing process, such as prolonged pain or discolouration, it is important to follow up with your healthcare provider. They will be able to assess the situation and provide appropriate treatment or referrals.
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How to drain blood at home
If you have blood under your fingernail or toenail, you may have what is called a "subungual hematoma". This usually happens when the nail gets crushed in an injury, causing blood to collect under the nail. Symptoms include severe throbbing pain and discolouration of the nail.
If you are experiencing pain, you can relieve it by draining the blood at home. However, it is important to note that you should see a doctor before making that judgment. For the best results, you should see a doctor within the first 48 hours of your injury as the blood begins to clot after this amount of time, making drainage difficult.
To drain the blood at home, you can use a straightened paper clip. Heat the tip of the paper clip in a flame until it is red-hot, then place it on your nail and let it melt through. Be careful not to push or apply pressure, as this could damage the skin under your nail. Go slowly and reheat the clip as needed.
Once a hole is created, the blood will drain out, relieving most of the pain. After the procedure, bandage your nail and keep your finger or toe bandaged and elevated. You may also need to use cold compresses during the first 12 hours. Be sure to watch out for signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the nail. If your pain does not go away or you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor.
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What is a subungual hematoma?
A subungual hematoma is a collection of blood under a fingernail or toenail, usually caused by a crushed or smashed nail injury. It can cause severe throbbing pain due to the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed. While this injury is common and usually not serious, it can be extremely painful and require medical attention.
The most common symptom of a subungual hematoma is severe, throbbing pain. Other signs include a darkened area under the nail, known as a haemorrhage, and potential signs of infection such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail. If the injury is severe, there may also be broken bones or damage to the nail bed and surrounding tissues.
If you experience a subungual hematoma, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if there are signs of infection or other concerning symptoms. A doctor can examine the injury and determine the best course of treatment. Small hematomas may not need medical treatment, and you can treat the pain with ice, elevation, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.
To relieve the pressure and pain, a doctor may perform a procedure called trephination or decompression, which involves draining the blood that has collected under the nail. This can be done through cautery, using a heated wire or carbon laser to burn a hole, or with a needle. After the procedure, the affected area will need to be bandaged, elevated, and potentially splinted for several days until the tenderness subsides. In some cases, especially if the injury is severe, the entire nail may need to be removed and the nail bed repaired with stitches.
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Signs of infection
If you have blood under your fingernail, medically known as a subungual hematoma, it is important to be aware of the signs of infection. Subungual hematomas are usually caused by a traumatic injury, such as slamming your finger in a car trunk or stubbing your toe. This can result in darkened discoloration, such as black spots, and pressure and pain.
- Redness: If the area around the nail becomes red and inflamed, it could indicate an infection. Redness is often one of the first visible signs of infection and can spread beyond the initial wounded area.
- Heat: Feeling warmth around the nail and the surrounding tissue could be a sign of infection. This is caused by increased blood flow to the area as the body sends more white blood cells to fight the infection.
- Pus: The presence of pus, which may appear as a white, yellow, or greenish discharge, is a telltale sign of infection. Pus is a mixture of bacteria, white blood cells, and dead tissue, indicating that the body is fighting an infection and trying to contain it.
- Red streak extending from the wound: If a red streak is visible extending outward from the wound, it could indicate that the infection is spreading along the skin or underlying tissue. This requires immediate medical attention.
- Continuing, intense pain: While some pain is expected with a subungual hematoma, if the pain becomes severe or persists for an extended period, it could indicate an infection or other complications.
- Swelling: If the finger or toe swells significantly, it may suggest an infection or a more severe injury, such as a fracture.
If you notice any of these signs of infection, it is important to seek medical attention promptly to prevent further complications.
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How to relieve pain
Blood under the fingernail, or subungual haematoma, is a minor injury that usually occurs when the nail gets crushed or slammed, damaging the blood vessels underneath. It can be extremely painful due to the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed.
To relieve pain from a subungual haematoma, you can try the following:
- Apply ice to the affected area to reduce swelling.
- Elevate the injured finger or toe.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin, Advil, or Motrin, to manage minor pain.
If the pain is severe or gets worse over time, it is important to seek medical care. A healthcare provider may recommend a simple procedure called trephination or decompression, which involves draining the blood from under the nail to relieve pressure and pain. This procedure is typically quick and painless. The doctor will make a small hole in the nail using a laser or needle. The area may then be wrapped in a bandage and kept elevated for the first 12 hours.
After treatment, it is important to keep the area clean and dry. The nail may continue to drain and bleed a bit, but this should stop within a few days. The nail may still look discoloured for several weeks, but this is normal, and the bruise will gradually fade as your nail grows back.
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Frequently asked questions
A subungual hematoma is a medical term for bleeding under a fingernail or toenail, usually caused by a traumatic injury.
If the affected area continues to collect blood, you are in extreme pain, or the injury is at the base of the nail, it is best to see a healthcare provider. You should also see a doctor if you have other symptoms such as swelling, an inability to move the finger or toe, or a darkened area under the nail without any known cause.
A doctor may perform decompression, also called trephination, to allow the underlying blood to drain and relieve pressure and pain. The doctor may numb the area before using a heated wire, electrocautery device, or carbon laser to burn a hole.
You can drain a subungual hematoma at home by straightening a paper clip and heating the tip in a flame until it is red-hot. Place the tip of the paper clip on the nail and let it melt through. Be careful not to apply pressure, as this could accidentally touch the skin under the nail.
