Helpful tips

What does nail bed damage look like?

What does nail bed damage look like?

A subungual hematoma is when blood gets trapped under your nail bed. It’s usually caused by your nail getting crushed or hit by a heavy object. Symptoms include throbbing pain and your nail turning black and blue. This usually looks like a bruise under your nail.

Can you heal a damaged nail bed?

After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.

When should you see a doctor for a nail bed injury?

If your finger or toe bone has broken along with the nail bed injury, it may take four weeks to heal. If you see any signs of infections such as pus, redness, or a red streak extending from that wound, then see your doctor. Your new nail may have grooves or ridges and may remain permanently distorted.

How do I know if I injured my nail bed?

When to see a doctor

  1. any jewelry is difficult to remove from the injured finger or toe.
  2. pooling blood covers more than half of the nail bed.
  3. pain from the injury is severe.
  4. bleeding does not easily stop.
  5. any cut is deep.
  6. the nail is cut, torn, or detached from the nail bed.
  7. the finger or toe has an usual shape.

What happens if your nail bed is exposed?

If the nail bed or matrix was damaged, the nail may grow back with a rough or abnormal shape. In some cases the nail may not grow back at all. There may be damage or a cut to the nail bed. This may need to be repaired.

Why is my nail lifting from the nail bed?

Nail lifting may occur with other skin conditions, such as various forms of eczema (including hand dermatitis), psoriasis, and lichen planus. Nail lifting may also occur with underlying medical problems, including thyroid disease, pregnancy, some forms of infection, and rarely some forms of cancer.

How long does a nail bed injury 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.

How do you relieve pain under your nail?

To relieve pain from an injury to the nail, try the following:

  1. Apply ice and elevate the injured nail area as soon as possible after the injury.
  2. Trim a torn or detached nail, and tape the nail in place.
  3. Try to drain blood from under the nail if you have pain.

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.

Should I cover an exposed nail bed?

It needs to be protected from injury for the first 7 to 10 days until it dries out and becomes hard. Keep it covered with a nonstick dressing or a bandage without adhesive. When a dressing is placed on an exposed nail bed, it may stick and be hard to remove if left in place more than 24 hours.

Can you change your nail bed shape?

The nail bed is the pinkish-colored soft tissue underneath your nail plate (the hard part of your nail). Nail beds aren’t one-size-fit-all. They’re different shapes and sizes. While you can’t change the size of your nail beds, the good news is that you can make them appear longer.

How do you treat a damaged nail bed?

Take supplements daily to strengthen your nails, encourage healing and prevent future damage. Biotin, a type of vitamin B, is especially helpful at restoring damaged toenails and toenail beds, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center .

When to seek treatment for toenail trauma?

If there is blunt trauma to the toenail. For example, if a heavy object has been dropped on the toe, it is best to seek treatment to rule out a fracture and treat any wound beneath the nail bed. If toenail trauma leads to severe swelling, pain, or redness of the toe.

What causes abnormal toenails?

Detailed list of causes of Abnormal toenail shape. The list below shows some of the causes of Abnormal toenail shape mentioned in various sources: Bronchiectasis. Cirrhosis of liver. Clubbing. Cyanotic heart disease. Infective heart disease. Inflammatory bowel disease.