Isla Bennett
Blood under the nail is known as a subungual hematoma, which is the medical term for a bruised nail. It is caused by direct trauma to the nail, such as stubbing your toe, hitting your finger with a hammer, or slamming your finger in a car trunk. This type of injury can cause swelling, pain, and nail discoloration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical term | Subungual hematoma |
| Cause | Direct trauma to the nail, e.g. stubbing your toe, hitting your finger with a hammer, or wearing shoes that are too tight |
| Appearance | Black-and-blue like a bruise; colour may change over time as the injury heals |
| Pain | Yes |
| Discolouration | Yes |
| Swelling | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Subungual hematoma
Blood under the nail is known as a subungual hematoma, which is the medical term for a bruised nail. This occurs when blood pools below the nail plate, causing pain and discoloration. The nail plate and the tissues just below them (nail bed) are usually stuck together with no space between them. So, when there is bleeding under the nail plate, the blood has nowhere to go and it pools, putting pressure on the nail plate. This can be caused by direct trauma to the nail, such as something crushing or slamming it. Examples include stubbing your toe, hitting your finger with a hammer, or slamming your finger in a car trunk. You may also experience bleeding under your toenail if you wear shoes that are too tight.
The colour of the blood under the nail may change over time as the injury heals. The blood may look black-and-blue like a bruise you would see on your skin. Despite how painful they can be, subungual hematomas are typically minor injuries and the pain usually gets better within a few days. If the pain is unbearable, a healthcare provider can perform a simple draining procedure to relieve the pressure and provide relief.
If the damage to the nail is extensive, there is a small chance that the nail matrix may have been damaged. The nail matrix is where your fingernails and toenails form. Damage to the nail matrix may mean that your nail may not grow back or that your nail may look different when it grows. If you experience bleeding under your nail, it is recommended to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
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Traumatic injury
Blood under the nail is called a subungual hematoma, which is the medical term for a bruised nail. This occurs when blood pools below the nail plate, causing pain and
The nail plate and the tissues just below them (nail bed) are normally stuck to each other, with no space between them. So, when there is bleeding under the nail plate, the blood pools and causes the discoloration. The colour may change over time as the injury heals.
Subungual hematomas usually go away without causing major problems. However, if the damage to the nail is extensive, there is a small chance that the nail matrix may have been damaged. The nail matrix is where your fingernails and toenails form. Damage to the nail matrix may mean that your nail may not grow back or that your nail may look different when it grows. If you experience bleeding under your nail, it is recommended to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
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Nail discoloration
Blood under the nail is known as a subungual hematoma, which is the medical term for a bruised nail. This occurs when blood pools below the nail plate, causing pain and nail discolouration. The blood can appear black-and-blue like a bruise and the colour may change over time as the injury heals.
A subungual hematoma is usually caused by a traumatic injury, such as stubbing your toe, hitting your finger with a hammer, or slamming your finger in a car trunk. It can also be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. If you experience bleeding under your nail, you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Although subungual hematomas are typically minor injuries, they can be painful. The pain usually gets better in a few days, but if needed, a healthcare provider can perform a simple draining procedure to relieve the pressure and provide relief.
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Nail matrix damage
Blood under the nail, or subungual hematoma, is caused by direct trauma to the nail, such as stubbing your toe, hitting your finger with a hammer, or wearing shoes that are too tight. This can cause damage to the nail matrix, which is where your fingernails and toenails form. If the nail matrix is damaged, your nail may not grow back or it may look different when it does grow.
The nail plate and the tissues just below them (nail bed) are normally stuck together with no space between them. When there is bleeding under the nail plate, the blood has nowhere to go and pools, causing pain and discoloration. The colour may change over time as the injury heals.
A subungual hematoma is a minor injury and the pain usually gets better in a few days. If needed, a healthcare provider can perform a simple draining procedure to relieve the pressure and provide relief. However, it is still recommended to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience bleeding under your nail.
To prevent subungual hematomas, it is important to be careful when handling objects that could cause direct trauma to the nail. This includes tools such as hammers and other heavy objects. Wearing properly fitting shoes can also help to avoid this issue.
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Draining procedure
A subungual hematoma is the medical term for a bruised nail. It is caused by direct trauma to the nail, such as stubbing your toe, hitting your finger with a hammer or wearing shoes that are too tight. The blood pools under the nail plate, causing pain and discoloration.
If you experience a subungual hematoma, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. They may recommend a simple draining procedure to relieve the pressure and reduce pain.
The draining procedure involves making a small hole in the nail plate to release the built-up blood. This can be done using a heated instrument, such as a cautery, or a small drill. The healthcare provider will first clean the area and apply a local anaesthetic to numb the nail and surrounding tissue. They will then create a small hole in the nail plate, allowing the blood to drain out. The procedure is usually quick and relatively painless due to the anaesthetic.
After the procedure, the healthcare provider may apply a bandage or dressing to the area. They may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. It is important to keep the area clean and dry during the healing process. Most subungual hematomas heal within a few days to a week, and the nail should grow back normally. However, in some cases, damage to the nail matrix may occur, resulting in permanent changes to the nail's appearance or growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Blood under the nail is called a subungual hematoma, which is the medical term for a bruised nail.
A subungual hematoma can look black-and-blue like a bruise. The colour may change over time as the injury heals.
A subungual hematoma is caused by direct trauma to the nail, such as stubbing your toe, hitting your finger with a hammer, or wearing shoes that are too tight.
You should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They may perform a simple draining procedure to relieve the pressure and give you relief.
