Should I go to the ER for subungual hematoma?

Any severe blow to a finger or toe should be checked by your healthcare provider. You may have broken bones (fractures) or damage to other tissues. If you can't see your healthcare provider right away, go to the nearest emergency department.

Should I go to urgent care for subungual hematoma?

Treatment. For more serious nail injuries, you should go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. They will stop the bleeding and clean the wound. Usually, the nail and finger or toe will be numbed with medicine before it is treated.

When should you seek medical attention for a subungual hematoma?

A person should seek medical attention if:

• the pain is unbearable.
• the injury happened to a baby or child.
• the bleeding is uncontrollable.
• there is a cut or laceration.
• the base of the nail is damaged.
• without injury, any nail turns dark or discolored.

What happens if you don't drain subungual hematoma?

If left untreated, a simple subungual hematoma typically grows out along with the lengthening nail plate and resolves on its own. Until the nail grows out, however, you can expect weeks to months of blue-black discoloration.

What should I do if I have subungual hematoma?

Usually the treatment is minimal and consists of rest, ice, elevation, and compression of the finger or toe. Over the counter pain medication can be given if needed. Elevation and the use of ice help to reduce the swelling and further pain.

19 related questions found

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.

How long does a subungual hematoma hurt?

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.

What type of doctor drains a hematoma?

Doctors who typically care for patients with hematoma are emergency room physicians, urgent care physicians, surgeons, neurosurgeons, and internal medicine doctors.

How do you treat a subungual hematoma at home?

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.

Is it normal for a hematoma to harden?

Many injuries can develop a hematoma and give the area a firm, lumpy appearance. If you have an injury, you might have more than a bruise. It's important to see your doctor if your bruise swells or becomes a firm lump, because it might mean something more severe happened under the skin.

How long can you wait to drain a subungual hematoma?

The key is to ensure that the hematoma is not older than 48 hours. In most cases, the hematoma can be drained with a large needle without any complications. Follow up of patients is recommended to ensure that there is no infection and the hematoma has resolved.

How do you get rid of a throbbing toenail?

You can do several things at home to treat an ingrown or infected toenail to help relieve pain and pressure: Soak your toe in a warm foot bath with unscented Epsom salt. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of unscented Epsom salts into one quart of warm water and soak your foot for 15 minutes at a time.

Does draining a subungual hematoma hurt?

Drainage of a subungual hematoma is often accomplished with use of an electrocautery device or heated 18-gauge needle. However, this procedure can be very painful, requires local anesthetic and a heat source, and creates a small hole which can be easily clogged.

How do I know if my nail bed is damaged?

If you have a deep cut in your nail bed, you should see a doctor, especially if it doesn't stop bleeding. Subungual hematomas that cover more than a quarter of your nail also need medical treatment. If your finger is very swollen or painful, or if you think it's fractured, you should see your doctor for an evaluation.

What happens if hematoma goes untreated?

A hematoma is similar to a bruise or blood clot but, if left untreated, it can damage the tissue and lead to infection. An injury to the nose can rupture blood vessels in and around the septum where there is both bone and cartilage.

Do bruised toenails always fall off?

It can happen to toenails or fingernails. The nail may hurt or feel tender when touched. Depending on the amount of blood beneath the nail, the nail may come loose and fall off. But often the nail does stay intact, and the blood fades as the nail grows out.

Does nail trephination hurt?

Reassure the patient that trephination takes only a few seconds and is almost painless—much less so than a digital block. If the patient cannot be reassured, anesthetize the distal finger with a digital block.

How serious is a hematoma?

Unlike bruises, hematomas can cause serious harm. If they get large enough, they may cause blood pressure to drop. They can even lead to shock, a life threatening condition that happens when organs in the body don't get enough blood or oxygen .

Can a hematoma get infected?

Since blood is a rich medium full of nutrients, some hematomas may become infected. Individuals with a hematoma should monitor for signs of increased pain, warmth, and redness. This may be difficult to differentiate from the symptoms of inflammation of the hematoma itself.

When should you get a bruise checked out?

Call the doctor if bruising occurs easily or for no apparent reason. Call the doctor if the bruise is painful and under a toenail or fingernail. Call the doctor if a bruise does not improve within two weeks or fails to completely clear after three or four weeks.

What does a throbbing toe mean?

Throbbing pain in the toe is the first sign that it may be broken. You may also hear the bone break at the time of injury. A broken bone, also called a fracture, may also cause swelling at the break. If you've broken your toe, the skin near the injury may looked bruised or temporarily change color.

Does an ingrown toenail throb?

Infected ingrown toenails

If the infection is getting worse, you may have a throbbing pain, redness spreading over the toe, or a high temperature (fever). Antibiotics may be needed to treat infection. It can also help to soak your feet in warm salty water, then carefully dry and rest your feet.

Why is ingrown toenail so painful?

As the nail continues to dig into the skin, it irritates it, causing pain. “If an ingrown toenail causes a break in the skin, bacteria can enter and cause an infection, which will make it even more painful.

Can you take ibuprofen with a hematoma?

If you're treating a hematoma at home, do not take aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). These over-the-counter drugs aren't recommended because they can slow blood clotting.