Ava Monroe
Fingernails falling off and easy bruising can be caused by a variety of factors, some benign and others more serious. Bruising occurs when small blood vessels break under the skin, causing bleeding within the skin tissue. This can be caused by medications, vitamin deficiencies, low platelet count, or chronic conditions. Similarly, there are many reasons why nails detach from the nail bed, including injury, infection, or certain skin conditions. Identifying the cause is important, as it informs treatment, which may include trimming the nail, wearing gloves, avoiding nail products, or taking medication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Direct trauma to the nail, such as something crushing or slamming it |
| Medical term | Subungual hematoma |
| Symptoms | Swelling, nail discolouration, pain, throbbing |
| Treatment | Drainage procedure, trephination, nail evulsion, home remedies (rest, ice, compression, elevation), antibiotics |
| Prevention | Being aware of where your hands and feet are |
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What You'll Learn
- Easy bruising can be caused by certain medications, including steroids and blood thinners
- Vitamin deficiencies, such as low vitamin C or K levels, can cause weakened blood vessels and easy bruising
- Ageing causes the skin to lose flexibility, leaving older adults more susceptible to bruising
- Fingernail separation can be caused by injury, such as hitting or jamming the fingernail
- Onycholysis, or nail separation, can be caused by fungal infections, psoriasis, and certain medications
Easy bruising can be caused by certain medications, including steroids and blood thinners
While easy bruising can be caused by a number of factors, certain medications are known to increase the likelihood of bruising. This includes steroids and blood thinners, which can make the skin more susceptible to bruising and slow down the healing process.
Steroids, for example, can cause thinning of the skin, making it more vulnerable to damage and bruising. This is particularly common with potent topical steroids and those taken orally or through injection. The risk of bruising tends to increase with higher doses and prolonged use.
Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, are often prescribed to prevent blood clots. While they can be life-saving, one of their side effects is an increased risk of bruising. This is because they inhibit the body's ability to form blood clots, which is crucial in stopping bleeding after an injury. As a result, even minor bumps or knocks can lead to bruising.
It is important to note that not everyone taking these medications will experience easy bruising, and the severity can vary from person to person. Additionally, the risk of bruising tends to be higher when multiple medications are taken concurrently. If you are concerned about medication side effects, it is always best to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
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Vitamin deficiencies, such as low vitamin C or K levels, can cause weakened blood vessels and easy bruising
Fingernails and toenails can get bruised and discoloured due to sudden trauma, like hitting your finger with a hammer or closing a car door on it. This is called a subungual hematoma, which involves bleeding below the hard part of the nail (nail plate) that leads to swelling, discolouration and pain. In some cases, the nail may even fall off.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in various foods, including citrus fruits, green vegetables, tomatoes, and potatoes. It is essential for the growth and repair of tissues, particularly blood vessels. A vitamin C deficiency is relatively rare; however, certain groups are at a higher risk of deficiency, including smokers, alcoholics, the elderly, patients with psychiatric disorders, and individuals who experience social isolation. Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include bleeding gums, ecchymoses, petechiae, coiled hairs, and hyperkeratosis. Diagnosis of vitamin C deficiency can be established when plasma levels of vitamin C fall below 0.2mg/dl. Treatment involves increasing vitamin C intake through fruits and vegetables and/or starting vitamin C supplementation.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone health. A vitamin K deficiency can cause bleeding problems and easy bruising. Newborn babies are particularly at risk of vitamin K deficiency since vitamin K does not cross the placenta. In rare cases, adults may also develop a vitamin K deficiency, which can be diagnosed through a blood test. Treatment for vitamin K deficiency typically involves taking a vitamin K supplement.
In summary, vitamin deficiencies, particularly low levels of vitamin C or vitamin K, can contribute to weakened blood vessels and easy bruising. Additionally, sudden trauma to the nails can result in subungual hematomas, leading to bruising and, in some cases, nail loss.
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Ageing causes the skin to lose flexibility, leaving older adults more susceptible to bruising
Fingernails can crack, bruise, or fall off due to sudden trauma, such as crushing or slamming your finger in an object. This is called a subungual hematoma, which is a type of bruise that occurs when blood vessels under the nail break open, causing blood to collect and become trapped under the nail. This can usually heal on its own within a few months, but medical treatment may be required in more severe cases.
Now, ageing causes several changes to the skin, making older adults more susceptible to bruising. Firstly, the skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity due to a reduction in collagen and connective tissue. This loss of flexibility makes the skin more fragile and prone to damage and tearing, even from minor injuries. The protective layer of fat under the skin also diminishes, leaving blood vessels more vulnerable to rupture and resulting in easy bruising.
Additionally, the skin's ability to repair itself decreases with age. Wound healing may be up to four times slower in older adults, making them more prone to infections and pressure ulcers. The skin's reduced resilience is further exacerbated by nutrient deficiencies, which are common in the elderly due to a potential higher intake of medications and a decreased ability to absorb nutrients.
Furthermore, ageing can affect balance and mobility, making older adults more prone to falls and accidents, which are a common cause of bruising. The thinning of the skin and loss of protective fat also contribute to the increased susceptibility of seniors to a type of bruising called senile purpura. This condition is caused by a reduction in connective tissue and fat, further compromising the skin's integrity and making it more susceptible to bruising.
To prevent and manage bruising in older adults, it is essential to take steps to avoid trips and falls, such as ensuring adequate lighting and removing clutter in the home. Additionally, caregivers should be aware of the potential side effects of medications, as certain drugs, including blood thinners and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, can increase the risk of bruising. Regular medical check-ups and routine blood tests can help monitor underlying health conditions and detect any clotting disorders that may contribute to easy bruising.
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Fingernail separation can be caused by injury, such as hitting or jamming the fingernail
Fingernail separation, also known as onycholysis, is when your nail separates from its nail bed. It is often caused by injury or trauma to the nail or the nail matrix (the area where your nails start to grow). This can happen in several ways, such as hitting or jamming your fingernail.
Injuries to the nail can occur when the nail is cut, torn, smashed, bruised, or torn away from the skin. For example, you can smash your finger in a door, hit it with a hammer or other heavy object, or cut it with a sharp object. These types of injuries can result in blood under the nail, called a subungual hematoma, which can cause pain, swelling, and nail discoloration. Direct trauma to the nail can damage the blood vessels under the nail plate, leading to a subungual hematoma.
Similarly, jamming your fingernail or subjecting it to repeated trauma can also cause onycholysis. Repeated trauma can be caused by ill-fitting shoes, regular manicures, or even tapping your nails on a hard surface over an extended period. Additionally, keeping your nails in water for too long can contribute to fingernail separation.
If you experience fingernail separation due to injury, it's important to take proper care of the affected area. You can protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a bandage to prevent dryness and cracking. In some cases, if the nail bed is infected, a doctor may need to forcibly remove the nail through a procedure called nail evulsion.
It's worth noting that fingernails typically regrow completely within about two months. However, if the injury involves the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent, and the new nail may have grooves or ridges and be misshapen.
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Onycholysis, or nail separation, can be caused by fungal infections, psoriasis, and certain medications
Onycholysis is a common nail disorder that causes the nail plate to separate from the nail bed. It typically results in a well-defined area of white opaque nail and can affect a single nail or multiple fingernails and/or toenails. The condition can be idiopathic or secondary to trauma, skin disease, nail infections, tumours, or systemic events.
One of the most common causes of onycholysis is trauma. Even slight or repetitive trauma, such as daily tapping of long fingernails on a keyboard or counter, can lead to nail separation. Manicure tools that are pushed beneath the nail to clear dirt or smooth the nail can also cause onycholysis. Additionally, too much moisture can contribute to the problem.
Fungal infections are another frequent cause of onycholysis. These infections thicken the tissue immediately underneath the nail plate, causing the edge of the nail to lift. If fungal infection is suspected, a doctor may scrape a sample of tissue from beneath the nail plate for laboratory testing. Oral prescription medications are available to treat fungal nail infections, but they can be costly and may have potential side effects.
Certain skin conditions, including allergic reactions and psoriasis, are also associated with onycholysis. Treatment for psoriasis may improve nail health. Additionally, medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism and iron deficiency have been linked to onycholysis, and addressing these conditions can permit the nails to regrow normally.
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Frequently asked questions
A subungual hematoma is a bruised fingernail or toenail that occurs when blood vessels under the nail break open, causing blood to collect and become trapped under the nail.
A subungual hematoma is usually caused by trauma to the nail, such as crushing or slamming it, which damages the blood vessels under the nail plate.
If you have a subungual hematoma, you should seek medical care, especially if you are experiencing severe pain or bleeding that does not stop. Minor cases can be treated at home with rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
If left untreated, a subungual hematoma can lead to infection or affect the growth of the nail. In some cases, the nail may fall off, and a new nail will regrow within 8 weeks for fingernails and 6 months for toenails.
