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Rest: Limit use of the affected finger or toe. Ice: Use an ice pack, to reduce swelling and pain. Compression: Apply pressure such as a wrap to the area immediately, to reduce the amount of blood that can pool. Elevation: Keep the affected hand or foot elevated, to reduce swelling.
How do I get rid of a bruise under my fingernail?
A small subungual hematoma may not need medical treatment. Ice and elevate the area to reduce swelling, and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like aspirin, Advil, or Motrin for minor pain. But the pressure generated by pooled blood under the nail can be extremely painful.
How long does a bruised cuticle take to heal?
Expected Duration With proper treatment, an acute paronychia usually heals within 5 to 10 days.
What happens if you don’t drain blood under nail?
If blood is spontaneously draining from the hematoma, drainage of subungual hematoma is generally not required. You should not try draining your subungual hematoma at home as improper drainage may result in infections or permanent damage to the nail bed.
What happens if you leave blood under your nail?
Initially the injury may only hurt. The nail may feel sore or tender to the touch. As the blood pools under the nail the pressure from the blood can cause severe pain. The pressure caused by blood underneath the nail may result in the affected nail lifting off the finger or toe.
How do you treat a nail injury at home?
Home Treatment Apply ice and elevate the injured nail area as soon as possible after the injury. Trim a torn or detached nail, and tape the nail in place. Try to drain blood from under the nail if you have pain. Try soaking your toe and using a small pad of wet cotton to help an ingrown toenail heal on its own.
How do I stop my finger from throbbing?
Immediate First Aid Ice it. An ice pack can quickly reduce pain and swelling. Elevate it. Raising the injured finger above the heart slows the blood flow and reduces the throbbing. Use it. If possible, keep using the finger to promote circulation. Take a pain reliever.
How do you know if your nail bed is damaged?
A person should see a doctor if: any jewelry is difficult to remove from the injured finger or toe. pooling blood covers more than half of the nail bed. pain from the injury is severe. bleeding does not easily stop. any cut is deep. the nail is cut, torn, or detached from the nail bed. the finger or toe has an usual shape.
Should I drill a hole in my fingernail?
So, the best thing to do is drain the blood pocket under the nail and relieve the pressure build-up. Fingernails don’t have nerve endings, and by moving very slowly with a drill bit, you can reach the blood pocket without touching your nail bed!.
What is the dark spot under my fingernail?
A black spot under the nail can indicate a type of melanoma called acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). These melanomas can appear anywhere on the body, including underneath fingernails and toenails. The sub-type of ALM that affects the nail is called subungual melanoma.
Should I go to the doctor if I smashed my finger?
People should seek medical attention if a smashed finger causes severe pain. It is a good idea to speak with a doctor to ensure no further damage was done to a joint if more than just the fingertip is involved in the injury.
What to do when you smash your fingernail and it turns black?
Though they can be very painful, most smashed fingers heal after a few days of at-home care. Rest, ice, elevation, and the use of OTC pain and anti-inflammatory medications are generally the best way to get immediate and long-term relief from this injury.
Is my nail bruised or fungus?
If the spot is black and shiny, it is likely a bruise and less likely toenail fungus, especially if you recall when or why that bruising might have occurred (example, if you stubbed your toe). If the discoloration is yellow, gray, or greenish in tint, it is more likely a toenail fungus infection.
How long does a nail injury take to heal?
It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.
How do you treat a sore nail bed?
The steps are simple. Apply warm compresses or soak the finger in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes, at least twice a day. Apply antibiotic or antifungal cream. Keep the infected area covered with a sterile bandage.
How do you know if your nail is detached?
Sometimes the area of detachment turns white. Other possible associated symptoms depend on the exact cause and can include nail pitting, ridges on the nails, nail flaking or crumbling, or other types of discoloration or damage to the nail. Toenail or fingernail separation is generally painless.
Why does my fingernail hurt when I press on it?
You might experience pain when pressing on your nail if it is torn or cracked, which can reveal your nail bed. This can be painful before new skin grows to cover the open and raw area. New skin will grow after a week, and the nail should regenerate or grow over the tender spot after a month or two.
Can a damaged nail bed be fixed?
More serious injuries may be treated with surgery and/or need splinting. Some nail bed injuries can be fully repaired, and your nail could return to normal. However, some severe injuries may result in a deformed nail.
Should I burn a hole in my nail?
You could try to burn or drill through the nail to relieve the pain, but this is a procedure often best left to your physician. If you really want to do it at home, I suggest using a very small-diameter drill bit and rotating it between your thumb and pointer finger.
Should I poke a hole in my nail to relieve pressure?
You could accidentally touch the skin under the nail if pressure is applied to the nail. Go slowly, and reheat the clip as necessary. A thick nail may take several tries. As soon as the hole is complete, blood will escape and the pain will be relieved.
Do holes in nails heal?
Most broken finger and toenails heal on their own. The fingernail is an important part of fingertip function.
