Liam Carter
A blood blister under the nail, also known as a subungual hematoma, can be extremely painful due to the pressure generated by the pooled blood. If the area of bleeding is small, you can try some home remedies such as icing and elevating the area, or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. However, if the pain is severe, your doctor may recommend draining the blood, which can provide immediate relief. This can be done by burning a small hole in the nail with a cautery method using a heated wire or carbon laser, or by melting through the nail with a red-hot paper clip. It's important to be cautious when attempting this procedure and to watch for signs of infection afterward.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical name | Subungual hematoma |
| Cause | Usually occurs when the nail gets crushed in an injury |
| Symptoms | Darkened area under the nail, severe throbbing pain |
| Treatment | No treatment required if the area of bleeding is small; otherwise, a doctor may perform decompression (trephination) to relieve pressure and pain |
| Home remedy | Draining blood from under the nail by melting a hole through the nail with a red-hot paper clip; soaking the finger in warm soapy water for 10 minutes, 3 times a day for 2-3 days |
| Warning | If pain persists after draining blood, there may be a more serious injury; call a doctor |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
See a doctor for large areas of bleeding
If you notice bleeding under a large area of your nail surface, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. This could indicate an injury to the nail bed, which may require medical attention. While small subungual hematomas may not need immediate medical treatment, larger hematomas can cause intense pain and other symptoms.
In the case of a large hematoma, the pressure of the blood underneath the nail can cause the nail to fall off partially or completely. If home remedies such as icing and elevating the affected area do not provide relief, it is important to seek medical care. Do not attempt to drain the hematoma at home, as this can lead to infection.
Your doctor may recommend a simple drainage procedure, also known as trephination, to relieve the pressure and pain. This procedure involves making a small hole in the nail to allow the blood to drain out. It is important to have this procedure done within the first 48 hours after the injury, as the blood begins to clot after this time, making drainage difficult.
In some cases, if there is serious damage to the nail bed or surrounding tissues, your doctor may need to remove the entire nail and use stitches to repair the area. A new fingernail can regrow in as little as eight weeks, while a toenail may take up to 18 months to fully grow back.
Gelous Nail Gel: Application Tips for a Perfect Gel Manicure
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Drain blood with a heated wire
It is important to note that you should not attempt to drain a hematoma at home. Using home methods such as a heated pin or paperclip to make a hole in the nail may cause infection from bacteria entering the wound. Infections can often cause much more damage than the simple injury they stem from. Contact your doctor to discuss treatment options.
If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, your doctor may recommend draining the blood blister under your nail. This procedure is called trephination. During the procedure, a small hole is made in the nail to allow the blood to drain. Doctors may use a heated wire (electrocautery device) or carbon laser to burn a hole. The heated tip of the wire is cooled by contact with the hematoma, which prevents injury to the nail bed. This is a quick and painless procedure.
If you are considering draining a blood blister at home, you should first consult your doctor. They may advise you to straighten a paper clip and heat the tip in a flame until it is red-hot. You can then place the tip of the paper clip on your nail and let it melt through. It is important to note that you should not push or apply pressure to the paper clip, as this could damage the skin under your nail. The process should be slow, and the clip should be reheated as needed. Once the hole is complete, blood will escape, and the pain will be relieved.
After draining a blood blister at home or in a medical setting, it is important to keep the area clean and dry while it heals. You should also watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the nail. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Tire Nails: Remove or Repair?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Use a hot paper clip to melt through the nail
If you are experiencing pain and discomfort due to a blood blister under your nail, you may find relief by draining the accumulated blood. This procedure, called trephination, involves creating a small hole in the nail to allow the blood to escape. While it is recommended to get this procedure done by a doctor or healthcare professional, you may use a hot paper clip to melt through your nail at home if necessary. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, straighten out a paper clip. Heat the tip of the paper clip using a flame until it becomes red-hot. Be cautious and careful during this step to avoid burning yourself. Once the tip is red-hot, gently place it at a 90-degree angle on the surface of your nail, directly over the blood blister. Hold the hot paper clip in place until it melts through the nail. Do not push or apply pressure, and go slowly to avoid accidentally touching the skin underneath. A thick nail may require you to reheat the paper clip and repeat the process several times.
As soon as the hole is complete, the blood will be able to escape, providing relief from the pressure and pain. After the procedure, it is important to practice good hygiene and care for the affected area. Soak your finger in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, repeating this process three times a day for 2 to 3 days.
While this method may provide temporary relief, it is important to note that there are risks involved with any home procedure. Using a hot paper clip to melt through the nail may cause infection if bacteria enter the wound. It is always advisable to consult a doctor or seek medical advice before attempting any home treatment.
Gel Nail Polish: Dryer Needed or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Relieve pain with ice and anti-inflammatories
If you have a blood blister under your nail, medically known as a subungual haematoma, you may be experiencing severe throbbing pain. This is due to the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed. To relieve pain, you can apply ice to the area. Be sure to wrap the ice in a soft cloth before placing it on your skin. Icing the area will help to reduce swelling and pain. However, do not ice the injury for more than 20 minutes at a time. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, Advil, Motrin, or ibuprofen can also help to reduce discomfort.
If the pain gets worse or persists beyond a few days, seek medical treatment. Your doctor may recommend a simple procedure called trephination, which involves draining the blood blister to relieve pressure and pain. This procedure is typically painless as the nail plate lacks nerves. The doctor will numb the affected finger or toe and use a heated wire (electrocautery device), a laser, or a sterilized needle to burn a small hole in the nail, allowing the blood to drain. Once the pressure is relieved, the pain should go away immediately.
If there is significant injury to the nail bed and surrounding tissues, your doctor may need to remove the entire nail and use stitches to repair the area. The wound should heal within a few weeks, but it may take about eight weeks for a new fingernail to grow back and up to six months for a toenail to regrow.
The Ultimate Guide to Bio Seaweed Gel Nails
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Watch for signs of infection
While subungual haematomas rarely lead to complications, it is still possible to develop a bacterial infection in the injured area. Complications are more likely if the injury is severe, especially if it has damaged your bone.
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention from your doctor right away. You may need to go to an emergency room if you are experiencing severe pain or if your finger or toe is deformed. Your doctor will examine your nail and the surrounding area. They may also take an X-ray to check for bone fractures or other injuries.
It is important to leave the treatment of a subungual haematoma to a medical professional. Do not attempt to drain the blood blister at home.
Removing Nail Polish Stains from Walls: Quick Solutions
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Your doctor will refer to a blood blister under the nail as a "subungual haematoma".
If you have a small subungual haematoma, it may not need medical treatment. You can try reducing swelling by icing and elevating the area and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like aspirin, Advil, or Motrin for minor pain. If you are in severe pain, you should see your doctor.
Your doctor may perform decompression, also called trephination, to allow the blood to drain and relieve pressure and pain. They may numb the affected finger or toe with a nerve block and use a cautery method, burning a hole in the nail with a heated wire (electrocautery device) or carbon laser.
You can drain blood from under your nail 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 your nail and let it melt through. Do not push or apply pressure. As soon as the hole is complete, blood will escape and the pain will be relieved. Soak the finger in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, three times a day for two to three days. However, please note that this procedure is not recommended unless you are in pain.
