Isla Bennett
Cuts to the nail bed are a common injury, often caused by catching your finger between two objects, heavy objects falling on your finger, or being hit by something sharp or heavy. If you have a cut in your nail, it's important to treat it properly to prevent infection and other complications. Here are some steps to help you heal a cut in your nail and take care of your nail health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Clean the wound with soap and warm water, apply antibiotic ointment, and bandage. For swelling, ice the area and elevate the injured area above the heart. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. |
| Healing Time | It can take several months for a nail to grow back after separating from the nail bed. Toenails can take up to 18 months to grow back. |
| Prevention | Keep your nails short, choose the right shoes, and wear protective gear when playing sports. |
| Complications | Untreated nail injuries can lead to infection, foot ulcers, and other serious problems. Severe injuries can also lead to deformed nails. |
| Medical Care | For serious injuries, seek medical attention. A health care provider may prescribe antibiotics, close cuts with stitches, or reattach the nail with glue or stitches. |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the wound with soap and water
If you have a cut in your nail, it is important to clean the wound to prevent infection. First, if any part of your nail is hanging off, gently trim away the part that is not connected to your skin. Use sterile scissors to cut off any rough edges and prevent further injury.
Then, clean the wound with soap and warm water. Gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes, ensuring that you clean the wound and the surrounding torn nail area. If the wound is bleeding, do not put a dry bandage or gauze on top as this will stick to the wound. Instead, apply petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist, and then cover it with gauze or a bandage.
Repeat these steps daily while your wound heals. Make sure to change the bandage daily and keep the wound clean. It is important to keep your wound clean and protected to prevent infection and promote healing.
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Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage
If your nail is cut or torn, you should first gently clean the wound using soap and warm water. If there are any rough edges or parts of the nail that are hanging off, use sterile scissors to trim them away to prevent further injury. Once the wound is clean, apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to the affected area. This will help to prevent infection and keep any dressing from sticking to the wound.
After applying the ointment, cover the nail with a bandage or gauze to keep the wound protected. It is important not to use a dry bandage or gauze if the wound is still bleeding, as this will stick to the wound. Instead, apply petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist, and then cover with gauze or a bandage. You can also use an adhesive bandage or medical tape, but only apply sticky products to the skin around the nail to avoid irritating the injury.
Make sure not to wrap the bandage too tightly, as this could restrict circulation and cause further issues. Change the bandage daily, and be sure to check for any signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare professional promptly.
While your nail is healing, it is important to keep your nails short and choose footwear that fits well and has a wide toe box to prevent rubbing.
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Treat pain and swelling with ice and over-the-counter medication
If you've suffered a nail injury, it's important to treat any pain and swelling to promote healing and prevent infection. One way to do this is by applying ice to the injured area. Wrap some ice in a cloth and apply it to your nail for 20 minutes every 2 hours on the first day, then do this 3 to 4 times a day after that. Elevating the injured area above the level of your heart can also help to reduce throbbing and swelling.
Over-the-counter medications can also help with pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with pain, but not swelling. Ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve), naproxen, and ibuprofen are all recommended for reducing pain and swelling. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding, talk to your healthcare provider before using these medications.
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Prevent infection and promote healing by keeping the area dry
Keeping the area dry is an important step in treating a nail cut or tear to prevent infection and promote healing. Nails are prone to catching on objects and suffering trauma, especially if they are long. This can cause the nail to separate from the nail bed, which is extremely painful and may result in a lot of bleeding.
If you have suffered a nail injury, it is important to keep the wound clean. Gently wash any cuts or scrapes with soap and warm water. If there is a part of the nail that is hanging off, use sterile scissors to trim away any parts that are not connected to your skin. If the wound is bleeding, do not apply a dry bandage or gauze as this will stick to the wound. Instead, apply petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist, then cover with gauze or a bandage. Change the bandage daily.
If you are experiencing severe pain or throbbing, apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 20 minutes every 2 hours on the first day, then 3-4 times a day after that. Keep the injured area elevated above the level of your heart. If you notice signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat, seek medical advice.
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Seek medical attention for serious injuries
If you have a serious nail injury, it is important to seek medical attention. A cut in your nail can lead to a nail bed injury, which can be very painful and uncomfortable, and in some cases, can limit your finger movement.
If you experience any of the following, it is recommended that you seek medical attention:
- You cannot bend your finger or toe
- Blood covers more than half of your nail
- Your nail is black, purple, or blue
- Your injury is very painful
- You have a broken bone
- You have a large bruise under your nail
- You have a severe infection or skin condition
- You have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an immune system problem
In the case of a serious nail injury, you should go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. The medical staff will be able to provide the necessary treatment, which may include:
- Stopping any bleeding and cleaning the wound
- Administering anesthesia to reduce pain during treatment
- Taking X-rays to check for broken bones
- Closing cuts in the nail bed with stitches and reattaching the nail with glue or stitches
- Removing the nail if it cannot be reattached or if there is a severe infection
- Prescribing antibiotics to prevent or treat infections
- Placing a wire in your finger to keep a broken bone in place
- Creating a small hole in the nail to drain blood and relieve pressure
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a cut in your nail, you should first gently clean the wound using soap and warm water. If any part of your nail is hanging off, trim away the part that is not connected to your skin using sterile scissors. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with gauze or a bandage. Change the bandage daily. If you notice any signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail, seek medical attention promptly.
To relieve pain and swelling, you can take over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve). Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the injured area for 20 minutes every 2 hours on the first day, then 3 to 4 times a day after that. Keep your hand or foot elevated above the level of your heart to reduce throbbing and swelling.
A cut nail can take several weeks to feel completely better. It usually takes about 6 months or longer for a fingernail to grow back, and up to 12-18 months for a toenail to regrow. During this time, keep your nails short and protect the injured nail with a light dressing, such as an adhesive bandage, to prevent further injury.
