Liam Carter
Bruised fingernails are usually the result of a painful accident, such as stubbing your toe or finger, or slamming your finger in a door. This can cause the nail to crack, bruise or even fall off. The blood or bruising under the nail is known as a subungual hematoma, which can be extremely painful due to the pressure of the pooled blood under the nail. In some cases, a bruised nail can indicate a broken bone, and if left untreated, could heal incorrectly, leading to long-term pain and discomfort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Blunt force trauma to the finger or toe |
| Medical Term | Subungual hematoma |
| Symptoms | Pain, throbbing, swelling, redness, discoloration, bleeding |
| Treatment | Ice, elevation, OTC anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotic ointments or creams, pain-relieving medicated creams, herbal formulas, decompression |
| Complications | Infection, broken bones, damage to the nail bed, long-term nerve damage |
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Blunt force trauma
A subungual hematoma can be treated by relieving the pressure of the pooled blood under the nail. This can be done through a procedure called trephination or decompression, which involves creating a small hole in the nail, usually with a needle, to drain the blood. The affected finger or toe may be numbed with a nerve block before the procedure. After the procedure, the nail will be bandaged, and the patient will be instructed to keep the finger or toe bandaged and elevated for the first 12 hours.
If the trauma to the nail injures the nail matrix, which is the tissue inside the cuticle where the new nail is formed, a ridge or split can develop. If the matrix heals normally, this deformity will eventually disappear as the nail regrows. Fingernails usually take about two months to regrow completely, while toenails can take up to four months.
It is important to note that a large bruise under the nail could indicate a broken bone, so it is recommended to seek medical care within two days of the injury. X-rays may be required to check for broken bones or other injuries. Additionally, if there is bleeding under the nail that is not caused by trauma, it is important to consult a physician to rule out other possible causes.
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Subungual haematoma
The first symptom of a subungual haematoma is throbbing pain in the nail area due to the pressure of blood pooling under the nail bed. The second symptom is the discolouration of the nail, which starts as reddish-purple and turns dark brown to black as the blood clots. The pain typically goes away in a few days, but the nail will take longer to recover. The discoloured nail will eventually grow out, fall off, or need to be removed and replaced by a new, healthy one. This can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months for a fingernail and 12 to 18 months for a toenail.
A doctor can diagnose a subungual haematoma by examining the nail and discussing any recent trauma. They may also X-ray the finger or toe to check for any associated fractures. Small subungual haematomas may not need medical treatment, and symptoms can be managed with ice, elevation, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. If symptoms are intense or persist, medical treatment may be required. This may involve decompression, or trephination, which is a procedure that allows the blood to drain and relieves pressure and pain.
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Broken bones
A bruised fingernail is usually the result of an accident or injury. This could be stubbing a toe, slamming a finger in a door, or any other incident that causes blunt force trauma to the finger. This can cause the tissue under the nail, known as the nail bed, to bruise and bleed, resulting in a subungual hematoma. While the nail itself is rarely injured, the impact can cause the nail to crack or fall off as the pooled blood separates it from its bed.
A bruised fingernail can be extremely painful due to the pressure generated by the pooled blood under the nail. This type of injury can also lead to infection if germs enter the body through a break in the nail or skin. Therefore, it is important to keep the area clean and watch for signs of infection, such as fever, redness, warmth, swelling, or pain. If an infection is suspected, a healthcare provider can determine if antibiotics are necessary.
In some cases, a bruised fingernail may indicate a broken bone in the finger or toe. As noted by Dr. Capin, "if you have a large bruise under your nail, there's a good chance you have a broken bone as well." X-rays can help diagnose a broken bone, and prompt medical attention is crucial to ensure proper healing and prevent long-term symptoms such as tingling, weakness, or pain.
To relieve the pain and pressure associated with a bruised fingernail, a doctor may perform a procedure called decompression or trephination. This involves creating a small hole in the nail to allow the underlying blood to drain. The finger or toe may be numbed with a nerve block during the procedure, and the area will need to be kept bandaged and elevated for the first 12 hours afterward. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers can also help manage inflammation and associated pain.
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Infection
A bruised fingernail is usually the result of an accident or injury, such as stubbing your toe or slamming your finger in a door. This is known as a subungual hematoma, which involves bleeding below the hard part of the nail (nail plate) and can cause symptoms such as intense pain and throbbing as blood collects under the nail.
- Pus
- Redness or red streaks in your skin
- Skin or nail that feels warm to the touch
- Swelling or significant pain
- Fever or feeling unwell
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. It is important to keep the area clean and dry, and you may need to keep the affected finger or toe elevated to reduce swelling.
In some cases, if the nail bed is infected, the doctor may need to remove the nail through a procedure called nail evulsion. This involves numbing the finger and using special tools to lift and peel the nail away from the nail bed.
To prevent infection, it is crucial to seek medical care within two days of the injury. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests, such as X-rays or ultrasounds, to check for broken bones or other underlying injuries.
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Tissue damage
Bruised nails are usually the result of an accident or injury, such as stubbing a toe or slamming a finger in a door. The impact can cause the nail to bruise or even fall off. While the nail itself is not bruised, the tissue underneath it, known as the nail bed, can be damaged and bruised. This condition is called a subungual hematoma, which refers to the pooling of blood under the nail, causing intense pain and throbbing. The blood collects between the nail and the nail bed, creating pressure that can be extremely painful.
In some cases, a bruised nail may indicate a more serious injury, such as a small bone break in the finger or toe. Untreated fractures can heal incorrectly, leading to long-term pain and interference with the natural function of the finger or toe. Therefore, it is important to seek medical care within two days of noticing a bruised nail after an injury. X-rays may be necessary to rule out any potential bone fractures.
The impact that causes a bruised nail can also lead to damage to the nail matrix, which is the tissue at the base of the nail where nail growth occurs. Injury to the nail matrix can result in permanent changes to the way the nail grows out. To prevent this, a doctor may perform a procedure called nail evulsion, where they numb the finger and use special tools to lift and peel the nail plate away from the nail bed. This allows them to assess and control any damage to the nail matrix.
Additionally, a bruised nail can increase the risk of infection if germs enter the body through a break in the nail or skin. Signs of infection include fever or feeling unwell, redness or red streaks in the skin, warmth around the affected area, swelling, and significant pain. If any of these symptoms are present, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Proper wound care, including cleaning and bandaging, is crucial to prevent infection and promote healing.
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Frequently asked questions
Symptoms of a bruised fingernail include pain, nail discolouration, nail sensitivity, and separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.
A bruised fingernail is usually the result of an injury or trauma to the nail, such as blunt force or a crush injury.
Treatment for a bruised fingernail depends on the severity of the injury. If there is no other apparent damage, you can treat it at home by applying ice to the area. If there is a broken bone or deep cut, you may need further treatment and more time to heal.
A bruised fingernail usually heals with no complications and any pain should ease within a few days. However, it may take months for the nail to look normal again and the nail may still be discoloured for several weeks.
