Ava Monroe
A bruised fingernail, also known as a subungual hematoma, is a common injury that occurs when blood vessels under the skin are crushed due to blunt force trauma. This can result in the nail plate cracking and potentially falling off, or the nail bed becoming injured and discoloured. While most bruised fingernails heal without complications, proper first aid and aftercare are crucial to prevent infection and ensure the nail grows back healthily.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Blunt force that crushes small blood vessels under the skin |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of sensation, throbbing, aching, or numbness |
| Treatment | Rest, ice, elevation, keeping the area clean, using OTC pain relievers, drainage procedure |
| Recovery | A new fingernail can regrow in as little as 8 weeks, but the nail may still look discolored for many weeks |
| Prevention | Being aware of your hands and feet, wearing appropriate footwear and gloves, avoiding distractions when using tools |
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What You'll Learn
Bruised fingernails are usually caused by blunt force or trauma
Bruised fingernails are typically caused by blunt force or trauma. This can happen when you accidentally hit your finger with a hammer, shut it in a car door, or drop something heavy on it. This type of injury can lead to severe pain, bruising, stiffness, or loss of sensation.
The medical term for a bruised fingernail is subungual hematoma, which refers to the blood that pools under your nail plate, causing discolouration. This injury can affect the nail plate (the hard part of the nail that grows out) and the nail bed (the skin underneath). The nail plate can crack and potentially fall off, while the nail bed can bleed and bruise.
If you experience a subungual hematoma, it's important to take care of any immediate first aid needs. Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the injured finger for up to 20-minute intervals, several times a day. This will help stop the bleeding and prevent a blood blister from forming. You should also elevate your finger above the level of your heart to slow down blood flow to the site, reducing inflammation and pain. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers can also help manage pain and reduce inflammation.
In some cases, a doctor may need to drain accumulated blood by drilling a small hole in the nail plate. This procedure, known as decompression or trephination, relieves pressure and pain. Your doctor will bandage your finger and may recommend keeping it elevated and using cold compresses for the first 12 hours. The affected nail may eventually fall off on its own after several weeks, and a new fingernail can regrow in as little as eight weeks.
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Subungual hematoma is a blood blister under the nail
A subungual hematoma is a blood blister under the nail, caused by an injury that breaks open blood vessels under the nail. This results in blood collecting and becoming trapped under the nail, leading to intense pain and throbbing. This condition can affect both fingernails and toenails and is characterised by a darkened area under the nail.
The treatment for a subungual hematoma involves addressing the symptoms and promoting healing. It is recommended to rest the affected finger or toe and avoid using it to reduce further injury. Applying ice and using an ice pack can help reduce swelling and pain. Additionally, compression techniques, such as wrapping the area, can be employed to minimise blood pooling under the nail. Keeping the affected area elevated also aids in reducing swelling. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can provide pain relief and reduce inflammation.
In more severe cases, medical intervention may be required. Doctors often perform a simple drainage procedure to release the accumulated blood, which involves drilling a small hole in the nail plate. This procedure should be done within 24 hours of the injury and must not be attempted at home. Antibiotic ointments and medicated creams can also be applied to prevent and treat infections.
The recovery time for a subungual hematoma can vary, typically healing within a few months. However, it may take up to six to nine months for a new nail to grow back completely. During the healing process, it is important to keep the area clean and dry, as advised by a medical professional. In some cases, the nail may fall off on its own due to the pooled blood separating it from its bed.
While subungual hematomas usually resolve without major complications, it is important to seek medical care if there are concerns about the severity of the injury or if there are signs of infection. An X-ray may be ordered to assess for possible fractures or other injuries, and doctors will also examine the nail for any signs of subungual melanoma, which can cause changes in nail pigmentation.
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A smashed finger can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and bruising
A smashed finger can be extremely painful and is a common injury that involves trauma to the finger. It can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and bruising. The injury can be caused by a hammer blow, a car door, a desk drawer, or some other force. The immediate treatment for a smashed finger is RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Rest: It is important to prevent the finger from undergoing any strain in the early stages of healing. While complete rest is not advisable, you should stop whatever you are doing to prevent further injury.
Ice: Applying ice wrapped in a clean cloth to the injured finger for 10-15 minutes or 20-minute intervals, several times a day can help reduce pain and swelling.
Compression: A compression bandage can help control swelling in your finger. However, it is important to remove the bandage if you develop poor circulation symptoms such as tingling, numbness, blueness of the skin, or increasing pain.
Elevation: Keep the injured finger elevated above the level of your heart. This will slow the blood flow to the site, reducing inflammation and pain.
In addition to the above, over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. It is also important to keep the area clean and dry.
A smashed finger can cause a lot of blood to accumulate under the nail, leading to a subungual hematoma. This can increase the risk of your fingernail falling off. If the blood under the nail encompasses more than 50% of your nail, it is recommended to see a doctor. They may perform a simple drainage procedure to release the pressure and prevent the nail from falling off.
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Treat inflammation to reduce pain and throbbing
A bruised fingernail, or subungual haematoma, occurs when blood pools under the nail plate, causing discolouration. This is usually the result of trauma to the nail, such as blunt force or crushing. While most bruised fingernails heal without complications, it is important to treat any inflammation to reduce pain and throbbing. Here are some ways to do that:
Rest, Ice, Elevate
Apply ice wrapped in a hand towel or cloth to the injured finger for up to 20-minute intervals, several times a day. This will help stop any bleeding and prevent a blood blister from forming under the nail. Elevating the injured finger above the level of your heart will also slow the blood flow to the site, reducing inflammation and easing throbbing pain.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can help reduce inflammation and associated pain. Topical antibiotic ointments or creams can be applied after cleaning the wound to prevent infection. Pain-relieving medicated creams and herbal formulas, such as arnica, may also help reduce inflammation and improve healing time.
Drainage
If there is a large accumulation of blood under the nail bed, it is recommended to seek medical care for a simple drainage procedure. Draining the blood can ease pain and support healing. However, this should not be attempted at home and should be done within 24 hours before the blood coagulates.
Stretching and Massage
Once the initial pain and swelling have improved, gently stretch and move the injured finger to encourage blood flow to the site. Gently massaging the injury site and surrounding area can help improve recovery time and break up dead blood cells and tissues.
Keep the Area Clean and Dry
It is important to keep the injured area clean and dry to prevent infection and promote healing.
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A doctor may need to remove the nail to repair the nail bed
A bruised fingernail is typically caused by blunt force, which crushes the small blood vessels under the skin. This can lead to the formation of a subungual hematoma, which is a blood blister under the nail. Subungual hematomas can cause pain and increase the risk of the fingernail falling off.
In most cases, a bruised fingernail will heal without any medical intervention. However, if the injury is severe, such as a nail bed laceration or a large subungual hematoma, a doctor may need to remove the nail to repair the nail bed. This is known as a nail evulsion.
During a nail evulsion, the doctor will first numb the finger with a local anaesthetic. They will then use special tools to lift the nail on each side and carefully peel the nail plate away from the nail bed. This procedure allows doctors to access the underlying nail bed and repair any damage.
After removing the nail, doctors will typically close any cuts or lacerations in the nail bed with stitches. They may also apply a special type of glue to reattach the nail and provide protection and support while a new nail grows. If the nail cannot be reattached, a doctor may use a special material to cover and protect the nail bed as it heals.
It is important to note that a bruised fingernail can sometimes be an indication of a more serious injury, such as a broken bone or a deep cut. In such cases, a doctor may need to remove the nail plate to access and treat the underlying tissues properly.
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Frequently asked questions
A bruised fingernail, or subungual hematoma, is an injury to the fingernail that occurs when blunt force crushes the small blood vessels under the nail.
If you bruise your fingernail, it is recommended that you rest, ice, elevate, keep the area clean, and use over-the-counter pain relievers.
Covering a bruised fingernail with nail polish is not recommended as it may affect how the nail heals.
In some cases, a bruised fingernail may fall off on its own after several weeks due to the pooled blood separating it from its bed.
To prevent a bruised fingernail from falling off, you can seek medical care for drainage or decompression procedures that relieve pressure and pain.
