Will my nail fall off after smashing it?

When a bruise develops under the fingernail, pressure can build up and cause pain. If this pressure becomes severe, the fingernail may fall off. In most cases, though, your fingernail will remain in place, but you may notice discoloration around the site of the injury.

How long does it take for a nail to fall off after being smashed?

Regardless of treatment the hematoma will eventually be resorbed by the body and a new nail will grow out. On average the nail takes 6 to 9 months to grow completely out. A complication to be aware of is damaging the cells that re-grows the nail (the nail matrix).

Does your nail fall off if you hit it?

Separation caused by injury is common in people who have long fingernails. The nail may pry away from the nail bed when it is hit or jammed. Severe or repetitive toe stubbing may cause a toenail to detach.

Will my nail fall off if it is bruised?

A bruised nail is painful and can take months before it looks normal again. In some cases, your nail may fall off — right away or weeks later.

What to do after smashing a fingernail?

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.

16 related questions found

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 happens when you smash your fingernail?

Your doctor may call it a “subungual hematoma” if you have bleeding under a fingernail or toenail. It usually happens if the nail gets crushed in an injury. It can cause symptoms such as intense pain and throbbing as blood collects under the nail.

What to do when you smash your fingernail and it turns black?

Dealing with Bruised Fingernails

After the crushing injury, you'll likely notice that the fingernail on the injured hand has turned dark or purple. This is due to blood pooling beneath the fingernail, which can be a rather painful type of bruise. If the blood under the nail is painful, you'll need to let the blood out.

Will my fingernail grow back?

Fingernails can regrow entirely in three to six months. Fingers or toes that have sustained injuries that affect the nail bed and the matrix grow more slowly than unaffected nails for about three months.

What happens when you lose a nail?

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 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 you don't drain blood under nail?

What happens if subungual hematoma goes untreated? A subungual hematoma usually resolves on its own without any treatment. The discoloration disappears as the nail grows. Over several months, a new nail eventually grows to replace the damaged nail.

How does a nail regrow?

Nails grow from underneath your skin at the matrix, which is the root of your nail. New cells form in the matrix. And as these new cells grow, older cells move up and push through your skin. The cells on the surface die and harden, turning into nails.

Does Vaseline help your nails grow?

Factors such as stress have been known to adversely affect nail growth and may even temporarily stop them from growing altogether, per Healthline. The use of Vaseline for nail growth is actually unfounded, and even for those who struggle to grow their nails, using Vaseline is not a solution.

How do you tell if smashed finger is broken?

What Are Some Common Symptoms of a Broken Finger?

Your affected finger is bent into a strange or unnatural position.
There's excessive swelling in one localized area.
There's significant tenderness and bruising in one localized area.
Your pain is exceptionally severe.
You're finding it difficult to move the affected finger.

Why does nail fall off after injury?

When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks.

Will blood under fingernail disappear?

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.

Does it hurt to drain blood under nail?

You may be able to relieve severe, throbbing pain by draining blood from under your nail. This procedure is not necessary and is not recommended if you are not having pain. This procedure is safe if done properly.

Will detached nail grow back?

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.

How do you speed up nail growth?

Home remedies for nail growth

Take biotin. Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that allows the body to turn food into energy. ...
Use nail hardeners (sparingly) Nail softness makes nails more prone to breaking, which increases the need for nail regrowth. ...
Avoid glue-on nails and toxic polishes. ...
Practice good grooming.

Can a smashed finger cause a blood clot?

A blood clot can form after a trauma to the finger damages blood vessels or breaks a bone. Examples include: a heavy object falling on the fingers, like when you accidentally hit your finger with a hammer. a crush injury, such as when you get your finger caught in a car door.

How long does it take for a damaged nail to heal?

Will a damaged nail bed heal?

Medical treatments

Minor nail bed injuries, including subungual hematomas, often heal on their own, especially when no other injuries are present. Receiving professional treatment can help ensure that the nail bed heals appropriately, forming a smooth surface on which the new nail can grow.

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. Deformities are likely to happen if the base of the nail bed (where it is crescent-shaped) is injured.

Why do I have a permanent split in my nail?

Permanent splits are caused by serious injury or damage to a small section of the matrix. The injury or damage will not add to the thickness of the nail plate and may create a thin, weak strip running the entire length of the nail plate. Thus, the width of the damaged area determines the width of the split.