Subungual hematoma

Nails on the hands and feet are prone to injury, as the fingers are in contact with the outside world in the first place. Let's talk today about what is a subungual hematoma, and is it worth worrying if you become its owner.

What is a subungual hematoma?

This is a phrase from medical terminology that means bruising under the nail. Most often, a subungual hematoma appears as a result of injury to the blood vessels that are under the nail bed.

Causes of subungual hematoma

It is not at all difficult to earn a subungual hematoma in your piggy bank, just pinch your finger with a door, or hit it with a heavy object. :)

Also, a subungual hematoma can occur if the fingers are in too tight shoes for a long time and its front part exerts excessive pressure on the fingers. This can lead to rupture of blood vessels and bleeding under the nail. Most often, athletes who are engaged in active sports are subject to this: tennis players, football players or basketball players. But runners or even just tourists are not immune from this, especially those who often walk downhill.

Symptoms of subungual hematoma

The first symptom of a subungual hematoma is aching pain in the nail area due to blood pressure accumulating under the nail bed.

In addition to aching pain, the color of the nail will change. At first, you will notice a reddish-purple hue under the nail, which then changes to dark brown and even black.

In the case of a subungual hematoma, pain usually disappears within a few days. But it will take much longer for the nail to return to its original state. For a full recovery, he must "grow together." Everyone's nail growth rate is different, but the average is about 8 weeks for fingernails, and 6 months for toenails. In rare cases, the nail plate may fall off completely or have to be removed.

Treatment of subungual hematoma

In most cases, subungual hematoma can be treated at home. To relieve swelling, I advise you to apply ice, raise the affected arm or leg and hold it in this position for about 15-20 minutes. You can also take painkillers that will help dull the discomfort and relieve inflammation.

You may need to see a doctor if the pain symptoms of a subungual hematoma are too intense, or if the aching pain has not gone away for several days. In order to reduce blood pressure and pain, the attending physician may resort to a procedure called nail trepanation. Don't let the name fool you, it's usually a painless procedure in which a small hole is drilled into the nail to allow the accumulated blood to be drawn out.

Once the blood pressure in the affected area is normalized, most people experience instant relief. After that, the damaged nail will most likely fall off on its own unless it is removed by your doctor, which can happen if it is severely damaged.

No matter what your nail looks like, it's important to watch for signs of infection. Seek immediate medical attention if:

• you have a fever
• nails are warm to the touch
• red streak on nails
• purulent discharge from under the nail is observed

Prevention of subungual hematoma

Most cases of subungual hematoma, such as when you get your finger caught in a door, are just accidents and therefore difficult to prevent. But when it comes to toes, I advise you to take certain precautions:

• Wear suitable footwear. Wearing shoes that are too tight and not the right size is fraught with many consequences.
• If you play football or tennis, try playing on natural surfaces such as grass or clay. These are more supportive surfaces that help reduce friction between the shoe and the foot.

• If only one finger is problematic, try sticking it to the adjacent finger with a Band-Aid. This will help reduce friction.
• If you work in construction or a warehouse, protect your feet as much as possible from possible damage with heavy work boots or steel-toed shoes.

I hope the problem of subungual hematoma no longer scares you. Take care of yourself and be healthy and beautiful! :)