Sophia Delgado
Nail injuries are common and can occur in many ways, such as when a nail gets caught between two objects, or when a heavy object falls on it. Treatment depends on the type and seriousness of the injury. Minor cuts or scrapes can be washed with soap and water, and a bandage can be applied. For more serious injuries, such as deep cuts or fractures, it is recommended to go to an urgent care center or the emergency room.
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What You'll Learn
Clean the wound with soap and water, then apply a bandage
If you've sustained a nail injury, it's important to take the necessary steps to clean and dress the wound to prevent infection and further complications. Here's a detailed guide on cleaning the wound with soap and water and then applying a bandage:
Cleaning the Wound:
- Start by removing any jewellery from your injured hand, especially rings, as the affected finger may swell, making it difficult to remove later.
- Gently wash the wound with soap and warm water. Use gentle motions to avoid further irritating the wound. Ensure that you thoroughly clean the area, as it will help prevent infection.
- You can use sterile scissors to carefully trim any rough edges of the nail that may cause further injury. Be cautious and only cut if absolutely necessary.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment to the cleaned wound. This will help prevent infection as you await healing or further medical attention.
Applying a Bandage:
- After cleaning and applying ointment, cover the wound with a sterile bandage. Ensure the bandage is secure and snug, providing adequate protection without being too tight.
- Change the bandage regularly to keep the wound clean and promote healing. Monitor the wound for any signs of infection, such as redness, discharge, or increasing pain.
- If the injury is severe, with deep cuts or heavy bleeding, seek immediate medical attention. Do not try to treat serious injuries at home.
Remember, nail injuries can be complex and may require medical attention, especially if there is a fracture or injury to the tissue under the nail. Basic wound care is essential, but specific repair techniques may be required depending on the type of injury.
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If the injury is minor, treat it at home
If the injury is minor and the nail is still attached to the nail bed, you may be able to treat it at home. First, remove all jewellery from your hand. If your finger is too swollen to get a ring off, call your doctor. Then, gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes with soap and warm water. If there is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. If the nail is torn, use sterile scissors to cut off rough edges to prevent further injury. Clean the wound and torn nail area with soap and warm water again. Apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage.
For swelling, ice the area and elevate the injured area above the level of your heart. Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve), to help with pain and swelling. Do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle. If you have a broken bone, your provider may need to place a wire in your finger to keep the bone in place.
If your injury is more severe, you should go to an urgent care centre or the emergency room. They will stop the bleeding and clean the wound. Usually, the nail and finger or toe will be numbed with medicine before it is treated. For a larger bruise, your provider will create a small hole in the nail to drain blood and relieve pressure and pain. If the bone is broken or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed and the nail bed repaired.
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For serious cuts, visit a hospital emergency department
For serious nail injuries, it is recommended to go to an urgent care center or a hospital emergency department. A serious injury would include any laceration (cut) or amputation of the nail, the nail bed, or the skin surrounding the nail. If any part of the nail is sticking out of the skin or pulled off the nail bed (nail avulsion), this also constitutes a serious injury.
At the hospital, the health care provider will determine if there is a fracture or if tissue under the nail needs repair. They may remove the nail to make the repair. They will stop the bleeding and clean the wound. Usually, the nail and finger or toe will be numbed with medicine before treatment. If there is a large bruise, the provider will create a small hole in the nail to drain blood and relieve pressure and pain. If the bone is broken or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed repaired.
If the injury is serious, your nail might have to be removed. It should grow back, but it may take up to 4-6 months for a fingernail and 12 months for a toenail. The new nail will probably have grooves or ridges and may be misshapen. This may be permanent. If you broke a bone in your finger or toe along with the nail injury, it will take about 4 weeks to heal.
It is important to be seen within six hours of the injury. Calling an ambulance is unnecessary unless there are other more serious injuries.
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The doctor may remove the nail to repair tissue underneath
In some cases, a doctor may need to remove part or all of a nail to repair tissue underneath it. This procedure is known as a nail avulsion or nail surgery. It is often done to treat severe nail injuries, ingrown toenails, or nail problems caused by cancer treatment.
Before the procedure, your doctor will numb the affected area with local anaesthesia. They may also place a nerve block in your finger or toe to provide additional pain relief. Once the area is numb, your doctor will carefully remove the nail plate, which is the hard, protective layer of the nail.
After removing the nail, the doctor will clean the area and apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. They may also prescribe antibiotics for you to take at home. It is important to keep the wound clean and dry and follow your doctor's instructions for changing your bandages during the healing process.
Depending on the extent of the injury, your doctor may also need to repair the nail bed, which is the skin underneath the nail. This may involve stitches or special glue to reattach the nail or close any cuts. The recovery process can take several days, and a new nail will typically grow back within 4 to 6 months for fingernails and 12 months for toenails.
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A new nail will grow in and replace the old one
If you've cut part of your nail off, it's important to assess the severity of the injury. If it's a minor cut, you can treat it at home by cleaning the wound and applying a bandage. However, if there is a deep cut or injury to the nail bed, it's important to see a doctor, especially if the bleeding doesn't stop. In some cases, you may need to go to an urgent care center or the emergency room, where medical professionals can stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and provide treatment.
In the case of a nail bed laceration, where the nail and underlying nail bed are cut, it may be necessary to receive stitches. If the injury is serious, the nail might have to be removed, but don't worry—a new nail will grow in and replace the old one! The healing process for the nail bed takes about 7 to 10 days. After that, a new fingernail will take approximately 4 to 6 months to grow back, while a toenail will take around 12 months.
During the healing process, it's important to take care of the injured area. You may be given a splint or special shoe to protect the nail and finger or toe as they heal. Keep the injured area elevated above the level of your heart to reduce throbbing and swelling. You can also apply ice to the area and take pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to manage pain and swelling. Remember to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider for proper aftercare.
The new nail that grows back may have a different appearance. It is common for it to have grooves or ridges and be somewhat misshapen. This may be permanent, but don't worry—you will have a new nail to replace the old one, and with proper care, you can minimize the risk of any permanent deformities.
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Frequently asked questions
If you've cut off part of your nail, you should first wash any cuts or scrapes with soap and water, then apply a bandage.
If there are any lacerations, avulsions, a large nail bruise, or if your finger or toe is deformed, you should go to a hospital's emergency department.
Doctors will make a detailed examination of the hand or foot and the injured nail and decide the extent of the treatment and repair necessary. The wound will be cleaned so that it can be examined more closely.
Most nail injuries are treatable, but in rare cases, they can cause nail deformities. Permanent deformity to the nail can result, even after proper repair.
A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow back, and toenails take about 12 months.
