Sophia Delgado
A subungual hematoma is a type of nail injury that occurs when there is bleeding under the nail. This can be caused by a variety of traumatic injuries, such as slamming your finger in a door or hitting it with a hammer. This type of injury can result in severe throbbing pain due to the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed. To treat a subungual hematoma at home, you can try cleaning the wound, applying direct pressure with a clean cloth, and elevating the injured area above the heart. If the nail is torn, use sterile scissors to cut off rough edges to prevent further injury. However, if the injury is severe, it is important to seek medical attention to rule out other possible causes and ensure proper healing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| General Treatment | Clean the wound, apply pressure, raise the wound, and bandage it |
| When to Seek Medical Attention | If the wound is deep or long, if the bleeding doesn't stop, if the nail is deformed, if there is intense pain, if there is a fracture or dislocation, if the nail is completely or partially torn off, if there are signs of infection |
| Medical Treatment | Drainage of excess fluid, removal of the nail, stitches, antibiotics, pain relievers, tetanus shot |
| Home Treatment | Clean the wound with soap and water, cut off rough edges with sterile scissors, apply antibiotic ointment, bandage the wound, use ice to reduce swelling, elevate the wound above the heart |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the wound and elevate the injured area
If you have a bleeding finger nail, it's important to clean the wound and elevate the injured area. This will help to stop the bleeding and reduce the risk of infection. Here's what you need to do:
Cleaning the wound
Firstly, remove any jewellery from your hand, as your fingers may swell, making it difficult to remove rings later. If you cannot remove a ring because your finger is already swollen, call your healthcare provider for advice. Next, gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes with soap and water, or an antibacterial rinse. Take care not to apply too much pressure, as this may cause further damage or increase pain. If the injury is more serious, or you are unable to stop the bleeding, seek medical attention.
Elevating the injured area
Once the wound is clean and covered, it's important to elevate the injured finger above the level of your heart. This will help to slow down the blood flow to the site of the injury, reducing inflammation and easing throbbing pain. You can do this by simply keeping your hand raised above your heart when sitting or standing. If you are lying down, prop your hand up with a pillow so that it remains elevated.
In addition to cleaning and elevating the injured area, you can also apply ice wrapped in a cloth or towel to your finger. This will help to reduce pain and swelling. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage pain and reduce inflammation. Keep your finger clean and dry, and change the dressing at least twice daily or whenever it becomes wet or soiled.
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Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth
If you have a bleeding fingernail, it is important to act quickly to stop the bleeding and prevent further injury. One effective way to stop a bleeding fingernail is to apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. Here are some detailed steps and tips to do this effectively:
First, find a clean cloth, such as a gauze pad or a clean towel, and place it directly on the injured fingernail. Apply firm and gentle pressure to the cloth. Maintain this pressure for at least 10 minutes to allow the blood to clot and the bleeding to stop. If the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of applying pressure, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
While applying pressure, it is important to keep your hand elevated above the level of your heart. This will help reduce blood flow to the area and promote clotting. You can rest your hand on something to keep it elevated if needed. Additionally, if there is any bleeding on the surrounding skin, clean the wound and apply a bandage or adhesive strip to cover and protect the area.
If the nail is torn or partially detached, use sterile scissors to carefully trim any rough edges to prevent further injury. After stopping the bleeding, clean the wound and nail area with soap and warm water to remove any dirt or debris. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the affected area to prevent infection and promote healing. Finally, cover the area with a bandage or dressing.
It is important to monitor the injury for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus. If the injury becomes infected, seek medical attention promptly. Additionally, if the bleeding is severe, the nail is completely detached, or there are signs of a fracture or tendon injury, it is recommended to go to an emergency room or urgent care centre.
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Use ice to reduce throbbing and pain
If you have a bleeding fingernail, it is medically termed a "subungual hematoma". This usually happens when the nail gets crushed in an injury, causing blood to collect under the nail. The most common symptom is severe throbbing pain, which occurs due to the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed.
To reduce throbbing and pain, use an ice pack. This can quickly reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice in a soft cloth or a towel before applying it to your skin to prevent cold injury to the skin. Apply ice for 15 minutes at a time, a couple of times an hour for the first few hours. Do not ice the finger for more than 15 minutes.
If you have bleeding under a large area of the nail surface, the nail bed may be injured. In this case, your doctor may need to remove the entire nail and use stitches to repair the nail bed. If the pain gets worse over the next few hours, you should seek medical care. Your provider may recommend a simple procedure called trephination, which is the drainage of the hematoma to relieve pressure.
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See a doctor if you have a subungual haematoma
If you have a subungual haematoma, you should see a doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Extreme pain or throbbing, caused by the pressure of blood collecting between the nail and the nail bed.
- Swelling or an inability to move the finger or toe, which could indicate a fracture.
- Deformity of the finger or toe, which could suggest broken bones or serious damage to the nail bed and/or surrounding tissues.
- The haematoma covers more than half the nail, or the injury is deep, in which case the nail may need to be removed to prevent infection.
- The bleeding continues, which could indicate a laceration requiring sutures.
If you have not had a recent injury but notice a darkened area under your nail, you should also see a doctor to rule out other possible causes.
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Remove rings and other jewellery from the injured finger
If you have injured your fingernail and are bleeding, it is important to remove any rings or other jewellery from the injured finger. This is because the injured area may begin to swell, and you want to avoid the jewellery becoming too tight and causing further injury or discomfort. If your finger is already swollen, and you are unable to remove a ring, you should call your healthcare provider for advice and assistance.
If you are able to remove the jewellery, you should then gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes with soap and warm water. You can then apply a bandage if needed. If the injury is more serious, you should go to an urgent care centre or the emergency room. They will be able to stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and provide further treatment.
If you have a subungual haematoma, or bleeding under the nail, you may not need to seek medical care if the injury is small. However, if the affected area continues to bleed or collect blood, or if you are experiencing extreme pain, you should see a healthcare provider. They may be able to drain the excess fluid and relieve the pressure. This procedure can help to prevent the need for the nail to be removed.
If you have a broken bone, your provider may need to place a wire in your finger to keep the bone in place. They may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. You should follow your provider's instructions for changing any bandages and keeping the area clean and dry.
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Frequently asked questions
A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail resulting from blunt or crush trauma. It involves bleeding below the hard part of your nail, which leads to swelling, nail discoloration, and pain.
If you have a small subungual hematoma, you may not need to seek medical care. You can treat it by cleaning the wound, applying a bandage, and keeping your hand or foot elevated above the level of your heart. If the affected area continues to collect blood, you experience extreme pain, or the injury is at the base of the nail, it's best to see a healthcare provider.
A healthcare provider can perform a simple draining procedure to relieve the pressure and give you relief. They may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. If the nail cannot be reattached, your provider may replace it with a special type of material.
Keep the area clean and dry, and change the bandage daily. If signs of infection develop, call a healthcare provider promptly.
