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What do I do if I bruised my fingernail?
Don’t ignore a nail bruise But step away from the nail polish or bandages. Without immediate care, you could wind up with serious pain or damage to your finger or toe. Instead of toughing it out, see your healthcare provider or visit an urgent care facility.
Should I drill a hole in my fingernail?
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.
Does a bruised nail need to be drained?
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. A subungual hematoma is sometimes drained by a doctor.
How long does a bruised nail take to heal?
A minor subungual hematoma usually heals over time without treatment. The trapped blood will eventually be reabsorbed, and the dark mark will disappear. This can take 2–3 months for a fingernail, and up to 9 months for a toenail.
How long does a bruised nail hurt for?
With a subungual hematoma, the pain typically goes away in a few days. The nail itself will take longer to recover. The discolored nail will eventually grow out — or in some cases, it may fall off or need to be removed — and be replaced by a new, healthy one.
When should I relieve pressure under my nail?
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.
How do you treat a black nail injury?
Over-the-counter ointments, creams, and polishes are usually effective. Severe cases may require a prescription antifungal treatment. If a black toenail is caused by an injury, the resulting spot from broken blood vessels will disappear once your nail grows out.
How do you release blood from under your fingernail?
Get a paper clip, not a needle, and straighten it. Hold one end of the paper clip with a cloth so you don’t burn your fingers, and heat the other end in a flame until it’s red-hot. Now touch that hot tip to your nail, right where the blood is, to melt a hole. Don’t push it, just touch it.
How do you drain a nail hematoma?
How to Drain Blood From Under a Nail
- Straighten a paper clip, and heat the tip in a flame until it is red-hot.
- Place the tip of the paper clip on the nail and let it melt through.
- Do not push or apply pressure on the paper clip.
- Go slowly, and reheat the clip as necessary.
What is a fingernail bruise?
Most fingernail injuries affect the nail plate (the hard part of the nail that grows out), which can crack and potentially fall off, and the nail bed (the skin underneath the nail plate), which can bleed and bruise. So when we’re discussing a nail bruise, we’re really talking about a nail plate bruise.
What to do if you have a bruise under your nail?
“When the bruise underneath the nail encompasses more than 50 percent of the surface area of the nail, the blood underneath the nail should be evacuated to try and preserve the nail,” says Lain. The doctor can do this easily by drilling a small hole in the nail plate and letting any excess blood drain.
What should I do if I Break my Finger Nail?
You also shouldn’t attempt to remove an injured nail yourself, or wrap, splint, or brace the injured finger. Speak with a doctor or nurse if your smashed finger causes extreme pain or involves more than just the fingertip. You should also seek medical help if:
What are the symptoms of a broken nail bed?
The most common symptom is intense pain. Pressure generated between the nail and the nail bed, where the blood collects, causes this pain. The pain may also be caused by other injuries such as a fracture (break) to the underlying bone, a cut in the nail bed, or bruising to the finger or toe itself.