Ava Monroe
Smashing a finger in a door or getting hit by a hammer can cause a nail injury. Treatment depends on the type and seriousness of the injury. For minor injuries, home treatment can help relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent infection. This may involve removing the nail, keeping the area dry, and covering it with a bandage until the nail has grown back. For more serious injuries, such as a subungual hematoma (a bruised nail), a simple drainage procedure can be performed by a healthcare provider to relieve pain and support healing. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed to allow for stitches or to treat underlying issues such as fractures or tissue damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Depends on the type and seriousness of the injury |
| Treatment for minor injuries | Remove all jewelry from your hand, gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes, apply a bandage, use ice and over-the-counter pain medication, keep the nail bed dry, clean and covered with petroleum jelly |
| Treatment for serious injuries | Go to an urgent care center or the emergency room, where they will stop the bleeding, clean the wound and numb the nail and finger or toe with medicine before treating |
| Treatment for subungual hematomas | Drainage procedure to relieve pain and pressure, stitches, removal of the nail |
| Treatment for nail bed lacerations | Stitches, removal of the nail |
| Treatment for nail bed avulsions | Removal of the nail, splinting of a finger fracture |
| Treatment for detached nails | File or trim any sharp edges, cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage, trim off the detached part of a large tear, use scissors to remove the detached part of the nail if it is partly attached |
| Treatment for fungal nail infection | Antifungal medication |
| Treatment for skin conditions | Treat the underlying condition |
| Time for nail to grow back | 4 to 6 months for a fingernail, 12 months for a toenail |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Keep the nail bed dry, clean and covered
Keeping the nail bed dry, clean, and covered is essential for treating a smashed nail and preventing infection. Here are some detailed instructions to do so:
Firstly, it is important to keep the nail bed dry. Avoid getting the injured nail wet, as moisture can lead to bacterial growth and infection. This may include avoiding activities such as washing dishes or swimming until the nail has healed. If the bandage gets wet, be sure to replace it with a new one to keep the area dry.
Next, ensure the nail bed is clean. Gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes around the nail with soap and water. This will help prevent infection and promote healing. It is crucial to wash your hands before tending to your nail to avoid introducing bacteria to the area.
Additionally, keep the nail bed covered. Use petroleum jelly on the nail bed and cover it with a bandage or tape. This will protect the area and keep dirt and bacteria out. Change the bandage daily or whenever it gets wet. If you have trimmed or filed the nail, ensure that any sharp edges are smooth to prevent catching and tearing the nail further.
It is also important to watch for signs of infection, such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus. If any of these symptoms develop, seek medical advice promptly. A healthcare provider will be able to determine if further treatment is necessary and may prescribe antibiotics or other interventions to address the infection.
Keeping the nail bed dry, clean, and covered is a critical step in treating a smashed nail. Following these instructions will help promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.
The Origin of Nail Growth: Skin's Deepest Layer
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$18.49 $19.98
File or trim sharp edges
If you have a smashed nail, it's important to take the necessary steps to treat it properly and promote healing. One crucial step is to file or trim any sharp edges of the nail. This step helps prevent further injury and tearing of the nail.
When dealing with a smashed nail, it's common for the nail to have sharp edges that can catch on clothing or other surfaces, causing more pain and potentially tearing the nail further. By using a nail file, you can gently smooth out these sharp edges, reducing the risk of additional damage. Filing the nail also helps to shape and neaten the nail, which can be important if the nail has become misshapen due to the injury.
If there are detached or loose pieces of the nail, you can carefully trim them off using clean nail clippers or scissors. Trimming the nail can help prevent the nail from catching and tearing, reducing the risk of further injury. It is important to only trim the nail if you feel comfortable doing so and to avoid trimming if you are unsure, as improper trimming can lead to further issues. In such cases, it is advisable to seek professional advice or assistance.
When filing or trimming, be sure to work slowly and carefully to avoid causing any additional pain or damage to the injured nail or the surrounding skin. It is also important to keep the nail bed dry during this process to prevent any potential infection. After filing or trimming, you may consider covering the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage to protect it and promote healing.
Overall, filing or trimming sharp edges of a smashed nail is an important step in the treatment process. It helps prevent further injury, promotes healing, and reduces discomfort associated with sharp or jagged nail edges. Remember to assess the situation and only proceed with filing or trimming if it is safe to do so; otherwise, seek professional advice or care.
How to Keep Up with Your Dog's Rapid Nail Growth
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$13.82 $25.98
Watch for signs of infection
It is important to watch for signs of infection when treating a smashed nail. A smashed nail can lead to a subungual hematoma, which is a bruised fingernail or toenail that occurs when blood gets trapped under the nail bed, causing pain and discoloration. If left untreated, a subungual hematoma can become infected.
Signs of infection include increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus around the nail. If any of these symptoms develop, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection, as you may need a tetanus shot or booster. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine if there is a more serious issue, such as a fracture or tissue damage under the nail, and provide appropriate treatment.
In addition to monitoring for signs of infection, it is important to keep the nail bed clean, dry, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown back. Change the bandage daily and apply a new one if it gets wet. Keeping the area dry is crucial to prevent infection.
If you have a smashed toenail, it is important to be aware that toenails are more commonly affected by fungal nail infections than fingernails. Symptoms of a fungal nail infection include cracked, yellow, discolored, streaked, thickened, or spotted nails. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as it may require treatment with antifungal medication.
Stronger Nails: Tips for Faster Growth
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$17.08 $19.98
Drainage procedure for pain relief
A smashed nail can be extremely painful, especially when it separates from the nail bed. The pain can be throbbing and severe, and the nail may turn black and blue. This injury is called a subungual hematoma, which is when blood gets trapped under the nail bed, causing discoloration and sometimes, intense pressure.
A simple drainage procedure can be performed to relieve the pain and pressure caused by a subungual hematoma. While this procedure can provide relief, it should never be attempted at home and medical care should be sought. Here is what to expect during the procedure:
- The area will be numbed with medicine to ensure you don't feel any pain during the procedure.
- A small hole will be made in your nail, usually with a needle.
- The blood that has pooled under your nail plate will be drained through this hole.
- If the hematoma covers more than 50% of your nail, your doctor might remove the nail to give you stitches.
- After the procedure, keep the area dry and clean, and cover it with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage. Change the bandage daily and watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus.
It's important to note that a smashed nail can take a long time to heal and grow back completely, sometimes up to 6-9 months. During this time, you can expect the nail to look discolored, and it may have grooves or ridges when it finally grows out.
Vaseline for Nail Growth: Does it Work?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$13.48 $24.98
Remove jewellery from the injured finger
If you have a smashed nail, the first thing to do is to remove any jewellery from the injured finger. This is because your finger may begin to swell, and you want to avoid the jewellery getting stuck and causing further pain or discomfort. If your finger is already swollen, do not force the jewellery off, as this could cause more harm. Instead, apply soap to help the ring slip off, or call your healthcare provider for advice.
If you are experiencing severe throbbing pain, you may have a subungual hematoma, which is a bruised nail that occurs when blood gets trapped under your nail bed. This is usually caused by your nail getting crushed or hit by a heavy object. If you suspect you have this injury, you should seek medical care, as a healthcare provider can perform a simple draining procedure to relieve the pressure and provide relief.
If your nail has been smashed, it may separate from the nail bed. In this case, you should keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown back. Change the bandage daily, and watch for signs of infection, such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
If your nail is still attached, you can try to trim any sharp edges to prevent them from catching and causing further damage. You can also cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage to protect it while it heals. It is important to keep the injured area clean and dry to prevent infection. If you notice any signs of infection, seek medical advice.
Lemon Power: Growing Nails with Citrus
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail that may cause throbbing pain. It occurs when blood gets trapped under your nail bed due to sudden trauma, such as hitting your finger with a hammer or dropping something heavy on your toe.
If you have a subungual hematoma, you can treat it at home by applying ice and taking over-the-counter pain medication. However, if the pain is severe, you should seek medical care as a simple drainage procedure can be performed to relieve the pressure and reduce pain.
It typically takes about a week for a fingernail to start growing back and between 4 to 6 months for it to fully grow back. Toenails generally take around 12 months to grow back.
To care for a smashed nail at home, keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage. Change the bandage daily and watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus. If you notice any signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider.
