Nail Trauma – Causes and Symptoms
Having Nail Trauma can be very frustrating, but there are some things you can do to help prevent or treat it. The article will cover the common causes of nail trauma, the symptoms, and what you can do to treat them.
Treatment
Depending on the extent of your nail trauma, you may need to have your nails removed. This will require medical attention and is a relatively easy process. Your doctor will also provide instructions on wound care, including how to keep the wound clean and dry.
There are several possible causes of nail trauma. Some of them include nail biting, falling on your finger, stubbed toe, and poorly fitting shoe gear. These injuries can lead to infection, scarring, and deformity. These conditions may also require surgery.
If you are in pain after a nail trauma, ice can help reduce swelling. A small hole may be created in the nail to drain the blood. If the nail is broken, you may need to see a bone specialist. A splint may be placed on the finger.
X-rays are also important for traumatic injuries. An x-ray may show a fracture. You may also be required to have antibiotics.
The most important part of treatment is determining how the nail was injured. Your doctor may need to remove part of the nail to repair it. Alternatively, your nail may be reattached with special glue. Your doctor may also remove a portion of your nail bed if it has been damaged.
The procedure may also involve using a special material to prevent infection. Your doctor may also use a heated needle to drain blood from your nail bed. Using a splint can help stabilize a fractured bone.
Some nail injuries can be treated at home. A small hole can be made in the nail to drain blood, but this procedure is not usually used to treat a serious injury.
Your doctor may recommend an x-ray to determine the extent of your nail trauma. Your physician may also recommend antibiotics if your nail was lacerated.
Your healthcare provider may also want to drain blood from the nail plate to relieve pressure. This procedure is not painful and can be performed at home. The nail may remain discolored after the procedure. You may also need to take pain medications, such as acetaminophen.
You may also need to get a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in the past 10 years. If your injury is more serious, you may need an X-ray and anesthesia.
Common causes of nail traumas
Getting a splinter under the nail can be a very painful experience. It’s best to take care of your fingernails by trimming them regularly. You should also wear shoes that are sized appropriately. You should also remove jewelry that might get caught in your fingernails.
When a person has a subungual hematoma, blood accumulates under the nail bed. It usually looks like a bruise. However, it can also cause permanent nail deformity. A small hole can be made in the nail to allow the fluid to drain. The doctor will then drain the blood through the hole.
The doctor may also be able to examine the injury with an x-ray. This will allow them to look at the nail bed more closely. If the doctor thinks the injury is serious, they may use anesthesia to help them examine the nail bed more closely.
If the doctor determines that the injury is minor, you may be able to treat it at home. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, you should go to an urgent care center. If the injury is severe, you may need to be treated in the emergency room.
When a person has a self-inflicted injury, it is important to treat it as quickly as possible. This will ensure that you heal quickly and avoid long-term deformities. You should also keep the nail trimmed to prevent infection.
Using tight-fitting shoes can put pressure on blood vessels in the nail bed, causing swelling and inflammation. If the blood vessels in the nail bed leak, a subungual hematoma can occur. You may also develop chronic low-grade inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular disease.
If you suspect that you have a hematoma under your nail, you should get treatment. You should also remove the jewelry and any fingernail rings. If the hematoma is large, it may be necessary to have the nail removed.
A subungual hematoma may also cause permanent nail deformity. However, if it is small, it can be treated with stitches or special glue. The doctor can drain the hematoma through a small hole in the nail.
Symptoms of nail traumas
Symptoms of nail trauma include bleeding, swelling, and damage to the nail bed. They can be quite painful and cause difficulties with daily tasks. X-rays and other treatments may be necessary. The doctor may be able to examine your nail and decide the best course of action.
Some injuries can be treated at home. A small subungual hematoma is not a serious issue. However, if you have a large hematoma covering more than 25% of your nail, it’s best to seek medical care. Depending on the severity of the damage, your physician may need to cut off your nail.
Blood under the nail can indicate a fracture or a tear in the nail tissue. This may require nail removal, but it is not usually a cause for concern. In most cases, the blood will heal on its own. X-rays are always a good idea for traumatic injuries.
Nail bed lacerations may require stitches or splints. In some cases, the nail bed can heal into a large bruise. It may even split. The nail may also be deformed or splintered, limiting finger movement.
If you notice pain or throbbing in the area of the injury, it is a good idea to visit the doctor. Trephination may be able to reduce the pain. Your physician may be able to drain the blood through a small hole in the nail. In other cases, a doctor may be able to use a sterile blade to cut out the nail.
X-rays are also important for more serious nail bed injuries. X-rays will allow your physician to examine the nail bed more closely.
A subungual hematoma is an area of blood trapped underneath the nail. It’s usually caused by an impact, such as when you hit your finger on a door. If the hematoma is accompanied by pain, swelling, and bleeding, it is a serious problem.
A subungual hematoma can be painful. The bleeding may make the nail appear blue, black, or purple. The color will fade as the injury heals. It can be painful to wear shoes on the affected foot, and ice may help ease swelling.
Long-term effects of untreated nail traumas
Various traumas can affect your nails and result in long-term effects. For example, if your nails are injured and you do not seek treatment, you may develop an infection in the nail bed, which can be more difficult to treat. In addition, you may develop abnormal growth in your nails, which will make it more difficult for you to grow normal nails. Depending on the extent of the trauma, you may need minor nail surgery to correct the deformity. In addition, your nails may become discolored from blood pooling under them.
There are a number of other problems you may develop if you suffer from nail trauma. For example, you may develop ingrown toenails, which can cause significant pain. You may also develop a subungual hematoma, which is a dark discoloration of your nail due to blood pooling under it. Also, you may develop a bone fracture in your nail, which can result in permanent loss of your nail.
The best way to treat these problems is to have your nails assessed by a doctor. In addition to evaluating your nail structure, your doctor will evaluate your overall health and any underlying issues you may have. Based on your assessment, the doctor may advise you on the best way to treat your trauma.
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