Liam Carter
A cut under the nail can be extremely painful and is often caused by direct trauma to the nail, such as a crush injury or a cut from a sharp object. This type of injury can result in a subungual hematoma, which is a collection of blood under the nail that can cause intense pain and throbbing. Treatment for a cut under the nail depends on the severity of the injury. Minor cuts can be treated at home by gently washing the wound and applying a bandage, while more serious injuries may require a trip to the emergency room for medical attention. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed to access and repair the nail bed. Pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken to manage pain and reduce swelling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Home care, urgent care, or emergency room visit depending on the severity of the injury |
| Home care | Wash cuts with soap and water, apply ice wrapped in a soft cloth, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, and bandage the wound |
| Urgent care | Medical professionals will stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and numb the area before treatment |
| Emergency room | Required if there are lacerations, avulsions, a large nail bruise, or if the finger or toe is bent or deformed |
| Nail injuries | Cutting, tearing, ripping, smashing, or bruising the nail, nail bed, or cuticle |
| Nail bruising | Blood collects under the nail, causing intense pain and throbbing |
| Nail laceration | A cut through the nail, nail bed, cuticle, or lateral nail folds, often with visible blood |
| Subungual hematoma | Bruising under the nail that may cause severe, throbbing pain |
| Paronychia | A nail infection that causes pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, with possible pus buildup |
| Healing time | 7-10 days for the nail bed to heal, 4-6 months for a new fingernail, and 12 months for a toenail |
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What You'll Learn
Apply ice to the injured area
If you have a cut under your nail, applying ice to the injured area can help to ease swelling and pain. To do this effectively, wrap an ice pack or some ice in a soft cloth or towel. Then, apply this to the injured area for a soothing effect. Keep the hand or foot elevated above the level of the heart—this will also help with the throbbing.
You can also take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling. However, if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past, you should consult a healthcare professional before taking these medications.
If your pain gets worse or does not improve over the next few hours, seek medical care. A healthcare provider may recommend a procedure called trephination, which involves draining the blood under the nail to relieve pressure and pain.
It is important to note that this information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.
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Take pain relievers
If you are experiencing pain from a cut under your nail, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage the pain. For example, acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps with pain, while ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) and naproxen help with both pain and swelling.
It is important to follow the recommended dosage on the bottle or as directed by your doctor. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking these medications.
In addition to pain relievers, you can also apply a cold compress or a cold soak to the affected area to help relieve the pain. Soaking the nail in cool water can also help to clean the wound and prevent infection.
If you are experiencing extreme pain or suspect a more serious condition, it is important to consult a doctor.
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Elevate the injured area
Elevating the injured area is a recommended way to relieve pain from a cut under the nail. Elevating the injured area above the heart can help to reduce pain and swelling. This method can be used in conjunction with icing the area, and it is advised to continue to use ice and over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
To elevate the injured area, you can simply raise your hand above your heart level. This can be done by propping your hand up with a pillow or resting it on something that is higher than your heart. For example, if you are sitting down, you can rest your hand on a table or the back of a chair. If you are lying down, you can prop your hand up with a pillow so that it is elevated above your heart.
It is important to keep your hand elevated for an extended period to help reduce swelling and pain effectively. You may also want to consider combining this method with other pain-relief methods, such as taking over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve). These medications can help to reduce pain and swelling from the inside out, while elevating the injured area can help to reduce swelling and pain from the outside in.
In addition to elevating the injured area, it is recommended to keep the wound clean and apply a bandage if needed. It is also important to be aware of any signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail. If any of these symptoms develop, it is important to consult a healthcare professional promptly. They may prescribe antibiotics or other treatments to clear the infection and promote healing.
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Seek medical attention for drainage
If you have a cut under your nail, it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Continuing, intense pain
- Discoloration or a bruise under the nail that covers more than a quarter of the nail
- Signs of infection, such as pus, redness, heat around the nail, or a red streak extending from the wound
- A broken bone
- Deep cuts or other injuries
In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a procedure called trephination, which involves draining the hematoma (blood buildup under the nail) to relieve pressure and pain. If there is an infection, your provider may also need to drain any pus that has built up around the nail bed. This typically involves making a small cut to allow the pus to drain out, followed by cleaning the area and bandaging it to keep it clean and protected.
For more serious nail injuries, it is recommended to go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. They can help stop any bleeding, clean the wound, and provide medication to numb the pain. In some cases, they may need to remove part or all of the nail to access and treat the underlying tissues properly.
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Avoid infection
To avoid infection when treating a cut under the nail, it is important to keep the wound clean. Gently wash any cuts with soap and warm water, then apply a bandage. Change the bandage daily.
If you have an artificial nail, it should stay in place until the nail bed heals. If your doctor recommends it, change the dressing daily. You may be able to apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to keep the dressing from sticking, but only if your doctor says it is ok.
If you have diabetes or another condition that affects your circulation, or are immunosuppressed, call your doctor as soon as you notice signs of infection. You should seek immediate care if you have a condition that affects your body's ability to fight infection.
See your doctor if symptoms are severe or don't go away after a few days. If symptoms return after treatment, call your doctor for an evaluation.
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Frequently asked questions
If you experience a cut under your nail, you should gently wash the wound with soap and warm water and apply a bandage. If the cut is severe or bleeding does not stop, you should seek urgent medical attention.
To relieve pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve). Applying ice wrapped in a soft cloth can also help reduce pain and swelling.
It typically takes 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal, and a new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow back. Toenails can take up to 12 months to regrow.
Signs of infection include redness, heat, or pus around the nail, or a red streak extending from the wound. If you observe any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare provider promptly.
