Caleb Foster
A blood clot under the nail, also known as a subungual hematoma, can be painful and unsightly. It is typically caused by an injury, such as slamming your finger in a door or falling onto your hand. While it is possible to drain the blood clot at home by creating a hole in the nail and squeezing out the blood, this can be risky as it may lead to infection. A safer approach is to simply leave the nail alone and allow it to grow out over time. In the meantime, you can alleviate any discomfort by soaking the affected nail in warm soapy water several times a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical term | Subungual hematoma |
| Cause | Injury that breaks open blood vessels under the nail |
| Symptoms | Darkened area or black spots under the nail, severe throbbing pain, pressure, swelling, inability to move the finger or toe |
| Treatment | If the area of bleeding is small, it may heal over time without treatment. Applying ice and elevating the area can help reduce swelling. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can be taken for minor pain. |
| When to see a doctor | If there is severe damage to the nail bed, extreme pain, or other symptoms such as swelling or inability to move the finger or toe. Also, see a doctor if there are signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, or pus draining from the nail. |
| Medical treatment | Doctors may perform a procedure called nail trephination or decompression to drain the blood from under the nail. They may also need to remove the nail and use stitches to repair the nail bed. |
| Home remedy | Draining the blood from under the nail by melting a hole through the nail with a heated paper clip. Soak the finger in warm soapy water after the procedure. |
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What You'll Learn
Drain blood from under the nail with a hot paper clip
If you have a blood clot under your nail, it is called a subungual hematoma. This usually happens when your nail gets crushed or stubbed. The blood under your nail may turn dark over time, and the pressure of the hematoma may cause your nail to come off completely. Before that happens, you may want to relieve the pain and pressure by draining the hematoma.
If you are experiencing severe throbbing pain, you may relieve it by draining the blood from under your nail. This procedure is safe if done properly. However, you should see a doctor before making the judgment to drain the hematoma.
To drain the blood from under your nail, first straighten a paper clip and heat 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. There are no nerves in a nail, so putting a hot paper clip on a nail should not hurt. However, do not push or apply pressure on the paper clip. There are nerves in the skin under the nail, and you could accidentally touch the skin if pressure is applied. Go slowly, and reheat the clip as needed. A thick nail may take several attempts. As soon as the hole is complete, blood will escape and the pain will be relieved.
After draining the blood, soak your finger in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, three times a day for two to three days.
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Symptoms of a subungual hematoma
Subungual haematoma is the medical term for bleeding under a fingernail or toenail. It usually occurs when the nail is injured, often as a result of a crush injury or a blow to the finger or toe. The blood collects under the nail, causing intense pain and throbbing. This is due to the pressure of the blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed.
The most common symptoms of a subungual haematoma are severe, throbbing pain, and nail discolouration. If the injury is particularly severe, there may be broken bones or damage to the nail bed and surrounding tissues. In this case, the finger or toe may appear deformed. If there is a large area of bleeding under the nail, the nail bed may be injured, and a doctor may need to remove the nail and use stitches to repair the nail bed.
If you have 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. In most cases, a subungual haematoma is not a serious concern and can be treated at home with ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and pain. However, if there are signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail, it is important to seek medical attention.
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When to seek medical attention
In most cases, a small subungual hematoma does not require medical treatment. However, there are several instances where it is strongly advised to seek medical attention:
- If the affected area continues to bleed or collect blood, causing extreme pain, or if the injury is at the base of the nail, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- If there is swelling or an inability to move the finger or toe, this could indicate a fracture or other serious injury.
- If the finger or toe is deformed, or a nearby joint was also injured, seek immediate medical attention.
- If more than a quarter of the nail is discolored, or there is continuing, intense pain, it is important to see a doctor.
- Signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat around the nail, warrant medical attention.
- If a red streak extends from the wound, this could indicate a serious infection or laceration requiring sutures.
- If the blood clot under the nail is accompanied by broken bones or damage to the nail bed and/or surrounding tissues, seek medical care.
- If there is no apparent injury but there is a darkened area under the nail, see a doctor to rule out other possible causes.
It is important to note that if left untreated for more than 48 hours, drainage of the blood clot may not be possible. Therefore, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure proper treatment and relief from pain and pressure.
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Nail trephination
Subungual haematomas are caused by bleeding beneath the nail due to nail bed trauma, usually from a direct blow or crush injury. If the injury is very small, the nail will usually fall off on its own after several weeks. However, if the area of bleeding is large, there may be damage to the nail bed and surrounding tissues, and the nail may need to be removed and the nail bed repaired.
Yes, in some cases, a 29-gauge insulin needle with an attached syringe can be inserted underneath the nail and advanced gently until the haematoma begins to drain into the syringe. This method uses gentle suction to remove the blood. A mesoscission device may also be used to determine the depth of nail boring using skin electrodes.
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Home remedies to relieve pain
A blood clot under the nail, also known as a subungual hematoma, can be extremely painful. It occurs when an injury causes the blood vessels under the nail to break open, with blood collecting and becoming trapped under the nail. While small hematomas may not need medical treatment, you should seek medical attention if you experience severe pain, bleeding that does not stop, signs of infection, or a hematoma that does not heal.
If you are experiencing minor pain from a subungual hematoma, there are several home remedies that can help relieve the discomfort and encourage healing:
- Rest: Avoid using the affected finger or toe where possible to prevent further injury and give the nail time to heal.
- Ice: Apply an ice pack to the area to help reduce swelling and pain.
- Compression: Apply pressure to the area, such as with a wrap, to reduce the amount of blood that can pool under the nail.
- Elevation: Keep the affected hand or foot elevated to reduce swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Take anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, Advil, or Motrin to reduce discomfort and swelling.
It is important to note that these home remedies are only effective for minor subungual hematomas. If you are experiencing severe pain or other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
You can try burning a hole in the center of your nail to release the blood and then soaking your nail in warm soapy water for 10 minutes a few times a day for about a week, squeezing the blood out each time.
It is important not to try to clean underneath the nail as you could sweep bacteria into the area.
It is normal for the nail to fall off after a blood clot has been drained. It typically takes about 6 to 8 months for a new nail to fully grow back.
