Isla Bennett
Fingernail injuries are common and can be extremely painful. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including blunt force trauma, repetitive pressure, or even biting your nails. One of the most painful types of nail injuries is a subungual hematoma, which is when blood collects under the nail, causing pressure and pain. If you are experiencing severe pain or discomfort from a fingernail injury, there are several ways to relieve the pressure and manage the pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment for a smashed finger | Rest, ice, elevate, keep the area clean, and use over-the-counter pain relievers |
| Treatment for subungual hematoma (bruised nail) | Drainage of the hematoma, also known as trephination, is recommended by doctors when the hematoma is painful or makes up 50% or more of the nail. |
| Treatment for paronychia | Acute paronychia can be treated by soaking the finger or toe in warm water for at least 15 minutes, two to four times a day. Chronic paronychia is usually treated with several weeks of antifungal medication. |
| Preventative measures | Be aware of where your hands and feet are when you close doors and avoid going barefoot or wearing open-toed shoes when lifting heavy objects or walking around. |
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What You'll Learn
Drain a subungual hematoma with a drill bit
A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail resulting from blunt or crush trauma. Blood collects under the nail, causing pressure and pain. Symptoms include throbbing pain, nail discolouration, nail sensitivity, and separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.
To drain a subungual hematoma with a drill bit, follow these steps:
- Slowly twist the drill bit by hand into the fingernail where the blood clot is located, furthest from the cuticle.
- Continue twisting slowly until you penetrate the bottom of the nail. Do not use an electric drill for this step.
- Blood will form instantly once you've penetrated the nail.
It is important to note that home drainage methods are not recommended due to the risk of infection and pain. The best course of action is to seek medical care, where a doctor can perform a simple and relatively painless procedure called trephination. During trephination, the doctor will clean the area, administer pain relief or anaesthetic, and then drain the hematoma by applying gentle pressure with a heated 18-gauge needle or cautery device.
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Soak injured fingers in warm water
Soaking injured fingers in warm water is a recommended treatment for mild acute paronychia, a condition that causes throbbing pain, swelling, and redness in an area of damaged skin around a nail. To treat this condition, soak the affected finger in warm water for at least 15 minutes, two to four times a day. If symptoms do not improve or if pus develops near the nail, consult a doctor.
Soaking injured fingers in warm water can also help relieve the pain and pressure associated with subungual hematoma, a type of injury that occurs when blood collects under the nail plate due to blunt or crush trauma. The warm water can help to reduce inflammation and ease the throbbing pain caused by this condition. It is important to note that for more severe cases of subungual hematoma, medical drainage of the hematoma may be necessary to relieve pressure and provide relief.
Additionally, soaking injured fingers in warm water can aid in the treatment of smashed fingers, which can result in severe pain, bruising, stiffness, or loss of sensation. The warm water can help to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. It is important to combine this with rest and ice to promote healing and reduce discomfort.
Overall, soaking injured fingers in warm water is a simple and effective way to relieve finger nail pressure and pain associated with various nail injuries. It is important to monitor the symptoms and seek medical attention if the condition does not improve or if there are signs of infection, such as pus development.
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Use ice to reduce inflammation and pain
Ice is an effective way to reduce inflammation and pain in the finger and nail area. Inflammation and pain are the body's natural reactions to an injury. The body sends inflammation and increased fluid to the wounded area, which causes pressure and pain.
Ice (cryotherapy) is a great way to reduce this pain and inflammation. It works by constricting or narrowing the blood vessels, which inhibits the body from allowing inflammation in the iced area. This is in contrast to heat, which dilates or widens the blood vessels, allowing more inflammation to flow to the injured area.
To use ice to reduce inflammation and pain, you should follow these steps:
- Use a cold compress or ice pack that is the temperature of a melting ice cube.
- Place a thin towel between the ice and your skin to avoid ice burn.
- Ice the injured area for 20 minutes, several times a day.
- Keep your hand elevated above the level of your heart to slow the flow of blood to the site.
- If desired, alternate with heat for 15 minutes, causing the vessels to dilate. This acts as a pumping mechanism to push the inflammation away from the injured area.
- Always end the treatment cycle with ice to keep inflammation from re-entering the area.
Using ice to reduce inflammation and pain is a great first step to healing a finger or nail injury. However, if the pain persists or worsens, seek medical attention.
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Take pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
If you are experiencing fingernail pressure, it could be due to a subungual hematoma, which is a bruised fingernail. This is caused by blunt or crush trauma, such as something heavy slamming into your nail. The blood collects under your nail, resulting in swelling, nail discolouration, and pain.
To relieve the pain, you can take pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can be purchased without a prescription and is available in various forms, including tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquids, and drops. It is typically taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain or fever relief, but it is important not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours for adults and 4 doses in 24 hours for children. Ibuprofen may be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset, and it is important to follow the directions on the package or prescription label. If you are taking ibuprofen regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. It is important to note that ibuprofen may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially with long-term use or higher doses, so consult your doctor if you have any concerns or medical history related to heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Acetaminophen is another option for pain relief and is available in various forms, including oral tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and rectal suppositories. It is typically used for short-term pain relief and fever reduction and can be taken with or without food. The dosage may vary depending on age, weight, and medical condition, so it is important to follow the directions on the package or consult a doctor or pharmacist for guidance. For children, it is recommended to base the dosage on their body weight. It is important not to exceed the recommended dosage to avoid potential liver damage, especially when combined with alcohol consumption. If you believe you have taken too much acetaminophen, seek emergency medical help immediately.
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Avoid activities that increase pain or finger strain
If you've injured your finger, it's important to avoid activities that increase pain or finger strain to allow your finger to heal. This is especially important if you've injured your fingernail, as certain activities can increase pressure and pain in the nail.
If you've injured your fingernail, you should avoid any activities that involve a lot of finger strain or that could cause further injury to the nail. This includes physical or contact sports, which you should refrain from engaging in for at least a few weeks while your finger heals. You should also avoid any movements or actions that cause your pain to increase significantly.
It's also important to avoid putting weight on the injured finger. Try to rest the finger on top of a covered ice compress or pack to reduce inflammation and ease throbbing pain. Elevating your hand above the level of your heart can also help slow the blood flow to the site of the injury, reducing inflammation and pain.
In addition, you should avoid any activities that could further damage the nail, such as biting your nails or picking at the skin around your nails. If you have diabetes, it's important to keep your blood sugar levels within a normal range by following your prescribed diet and taking your medications, as people with diabetes are more prone to nail infections.
Finally, it's important to avoid any activities that could cause your fingernail to fall off completely. If the pressure from the injury becomes too severe, the fingernail may fall off. While this is usually not a cause for concern, it can take several months for the nail to grow back, and the new nail may have ridges or other abnormalities.
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Frequently asked questions
A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail resulting from blunt or crush trauma. Blood collects under the nail, causing pressure and pain.
Symptoms of a subungual hematoma include pain, nail discolouration, nail sensitivity, and separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.
If you have a subungual hematoma, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your healthcare provider may recommend a procedure called trephination, which involves draining the hematoma to relieve pressure.
It is difficult to prevent subungual hematomas as they usually happen quickly and unexpectedly. However, you can take some steps to lower your risk by being aware of your hands and feet when closing doors and avoiding going barefoot or wearing open-toed shoes when lifting heavy objects.
