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How do you treat a nail injury at home?
A person can often treat a minor nail bed injury at home by:
- removing all jewelry.
- washing the injured area gently with fragrance-free soap.
- bandaging the injury gently, if there is an open wound.
- applying an ice pack for about 20 minutes at a time.
- elevating the injured hand or foot.
Why is my nail bed hurting?
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.
How long does a damaged nail bed take to heal?
If you lose your nail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow to replace the lost nail. Toenails take about 12 months to grow back. The new nail will probably have grooves or ridges and be somewhat misshapen.
How do you treat nail trauma?
To care for your nail injury:
- Remove all jewelry from your hand. Apply soap, if needed, to help rings slip off your fingers. If you cannot remove a ring because your finger is swollen, call your health care provider.
- Gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes.
- Apply a bandage if needed.
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.
Should I go to the ER for a smashed 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.
When should you repair a nail bed injury?
Removal of the nail plate and repair of nail bed laceration should be performed if: The nail plate is significantly fractured. The nail margin is injured. There is a significantly displaced fracture of the distal phalanx.
Should I put Vaseline on my nail bed?
Make sure to avoid getting any Vaseline on your actual nails, however, because it will inhibit the polish from sticking and drying. In the case you have any rogue petroleum jelly on your nails, grab another cotton swab dipped in either nail polish remover, water, or vinegar and clean up the edges before polishing.
How are stitches used to treat avulsions?
For superficial avulsions, wound care and stitches may be required depending on the severity of the avulsion. For smaller skin avulsions, stitches can be used to reattach the loose skin back to the healthy skin. This will facilitate a faster, more effective healing.
What is an avulsion wound?
Skin avulsion is a wound that happens when skin is torn from your body during an accident or other injury. The torn skin may be lost or too damaged to be repaired, and it must be removed. A wound of this type cannot be stitched closed because there is tissue missing.
What is a ring avulsion?
A ring avulsion is an injury to one of your fingers that happens when a ring you’re wearing is suddenly pulled with a strong force. They are serious injuries that frequently lead to amputation. The most common causes of ring avulsions are workplace accidents, falls and sports injuries.
Why are avulsion fractures so commonly distracted?
Avulsion fractures are commonly distracted due to the high tensile forces involved. There are numerous sites at which these occur. Being familiar with them is important as subacute/chronic injuries can appear aggressive.