Is Your Fingernail Falling Off? Here's What To Do  

 Is Your Fingernail Falling Off? Here's What To Do

Is Your Fingernail Falling Off? Here's What To Do

Updated on 3/27/2024
Mai DelacruzBy Mai Delacruz
Personal Fitness Trainer & Health Coach
Learn More about Mai Delacruz

Suppose you've found your way here because you're coping with a Fingernail Falling Off. In that case, I can empathize: I was getting out of the car for a much-needed shopping excursion with some friends many years ago on a random Saturday, and I completely smashed my fingernail in the car door as I was exiting the vehicle.

When I looked down at my finger, I noticed it was covered in blood, and my nail had a large crack across it. My buddies and I spent the next half an hour frantically searching the shopping center for a Band-Aid and some Advil. (Note: Since then, I've made it a habit to keep a first-aid kit in my vehicle.)

nail

nail

When I eventually stopped the bleeding, I was left with a fingernail that was both fractured and bruised. My initial reaction was to consider getting a gel manicure to hide the ugly wound. (Yes, that's me letting my vanity shine through.) However, as it turns out, that was the wrong decision to make.

What I took away from that experience was the realization that I had a lot of questions regarding the appropriate course of action to take if I hurt one of my fingernails. I am sure I am not the first to accidentally slam a finger in a car door or jam it in a window. Because of this, I took my questions to the professionals to get all the answers, ranging from basic first aid to the appropriate way to cover up a bruised fingernail or another nail mishap. Here is the information that you require.

What Causes The Nails To Become Bruised?

What Causes The Nails To Become Bruised?

What Causes The Nails To Become Bruised?

According to the information provided by the United States National Library of Medicine, nail bruising occurs in the same way that bruises do on other parts of the body and occurs when a force causes the little blood vessels that are located under the skin to be crushed. The nail plate (the rigid portion of the nail that grows out), which can crack and potentially come off, and the nail bed (the skin underlying the nail plate), which can bleed and bruise, are the two parts of the fingernail that are most commonly injured when the nail is damaged. When we talk about a bruise on the nail, what we're talking about is a bruise on the nail plate.

It's possible that the dark purple or black hue on your nail, which may lead you to believe it's a bruise due to its appearance, is blood. Because the same sort of damage that produces bruising may also cause bleeding. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, this condition is referred to by its medical term, subungual hematoma. That is essentially the same as having a blood blister under the nail.

What Should I Do To Accidentally Cut Or Bruised One Of My Fingernails?

What Should I Do If I Accidentally Cut Or Bruised

What Should I Do If I Accidentally Cut Or Bruised

When the incident initially occurs, you will have the opportunity to attend to any emergency first aid needs. The fundamentals of treating wounds apply here: If there is any bleeding, apply pressure to the area to stop it, clean the wound with soap and water, apply a bandage, and, if necessary, take an analgesic to assist with the discomfort. According to dermatologist Ted Lain, M.D., who spoke with SELF about the topic, you may also try applying ice to your finger if swelling in the surrounding region.

While doing all these things, you should also evaluate the level of harm that has been done and decide whether or not you need to go to the doctor—getting back to.

When Should I Make An Appointment With A Doctor?

When Should I Make An Appointment With A Doctor?

When Should I Make An Appointment With A Doctor?

When it comes to determining whether or not you should go to the doctor immediately after injuring your fingernail, there are a few indicators you should be on the lookout for. Some symptoms include:

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Pressing on a whole part of the nail or finger might help restore blood flow if it has been cut off. When you have a good capillary refill, the region in question will turn white when you apply pressure to it, and then it will turn pink within seconds after the pressure is removed. That indicates the circulation of blood is still active. If not, getting it checked out is something you should do.

Loss of sensation: In addition, you should touch the tip of your finger to determine whether or not you still have feelings in the affected region. According to Dr. Lain, if you can feel everything, there is a good chance that you do not have any nerve damage.

Unusual colors in your fingertip You should also ensure the flesh at the tip of your finger is not blue or bleached white. Unique colors on your fingertip indicate that you should consult a doctor.

Because massive subungual hematomas increase the chance of your fingernail coming off, doctors may commonly drill a tiny hole in the nail plate to drain the stored blood because large subungual hematomas increase the risk of your fingernail falling off. There are no official guidelines; however, based on Dr. Lain's clinical experience, if blood covers more than fifty percent of your nail, it is a good indicator that you should visit a doctor. However, there are no such recommendations. You can take precautions and have a minor subungual hematoma evacuated as well. The critical window is the first twenty-four hours after the injury before the blood begins to clot.

FALL OFF FINGERNAIL

FALL OFF FINGERNAIL

An injury to the nail matrix is when the tissue at the base of the nail, which is where new nail growth occurs, is damaged. Because damage to the nail matrix might cause the nail to grow out abnormally for the rest of your life, you should consider having a trained specialist assess the severe problem, just in case. "If the pressure can be relieved, then we can help control any damage that could happen to the nail matrix," says Dr. Lain. "can release the pressure, then we can assist."

If you do not exhibit any of the symptoms described above, you may forego going to the doctor and let the bruise heal on its own. Regarding a broken nail, you will need to be patient as the damage to the nail grows. According to a study conducted in 2010 and published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, fingernails grow an average of 3.47 millimeters per month. It is an interesting statistic.)

Having said all of that, you should also be on the watch for indicators of infection in the days following your injury.

What Are The Warning Symptoms Of An Infection In The Fingernail?

What Are The Warning Symptoms Of An Infection

What Are The Warning Symptoms Of An Infection

Infection is present "if there is any pus, if it gets extremely red and hot after the incident, or if there is a lot of swelling," says dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., speaking to SELF. "If there is any pus, or if it becomes red and hot after the fact," If it has a green color, this is still another indication that there are bacteria present. There is also the possibility of discomfort that does not go away and remains constant. These signals should prompt you to make an appointment with a medical professional. To get the wound drained and an antibiotic prescription, you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, primary care physician, or at an urgent care facility as soon as possible.

The situation may be more difficult if you feel hot or nauseous or notice red streaks on your hand or forearm. These symptoms indicate that the infection has reached the bloodstream, a risk factor for developing sepsis. According to Dr. Lain, "sepsis is a hazardous condition, and anyone who notices that the infection has worsened by spreading to the hand should seek treatment in an emergency room."

What Should I Do If My Fingernail Begins To Come Off (Or If It Falls Off)?

What Should I Do If My Fingernail Begins To Come Off

What Should I Do If My Fingernail Begins To Come Off

It is essential to be ready for the possibility that one of your fingernails could come off, as this can occur. Your nail could become black and look like it's barely hanging on after you've sustained a severe injury. I beg of you, don't let this happen. Please. You could trim it down, but you should let the damage heal on its own first. Dr. Lain advises her patients to "leave it alone" because a fresh nail is developing below the old one.

The new tack will push the old pin-up, and the old nail will fall off when ready.

It is a good idea to put a Band-Aid on the nail bed after the fingernail has fallen off to preserve the delicate skin that is located there. According to Dr. Lain, if you leave it exposed to the air, it may get scorched and very cracked, and if it is traumatized, it can influence how the nail grows. "If you leave it open to the air, it can get scorched and very cracked,"

nail

nail

It may be necessary for the doctor to forcibly remove the nail in some circumstances, such as when the nail bed is diseased. The first step in this process, known as an avulsion, involves the administration of a local anesthetic to numb your finger. The nail plate is then peeled away from the nail bed as the doctor utilizes specialized instruments to raise the nail on each side and separate it from the nail bed. (You have to admit, that does seem like something straight out of a horror movie, don't you?)

Can I Still Get A Manicure Even Though I Have A Swollen Fingernail?

Can I Still Get A Manicure Even Though I Have A Swollen

Can I Still Get A Manicure Even Though I Have A Swollen

Now, here is what I needed to know: is it possible to hide a damaged fingernail with gorgeous paint while recovering from a crack or bruise? The answer to that question is yes, but with a few caveats.

Dr. Lain recommends first applying a layer of nail hardener to the nail to help preserve the nail plate. However, Dr. Gohara asserts that nail polish is entirely acceptable if there is simply a crack in the nail (once the bleeding has stopped and the injury has had some time to heal, of course).

In light of those mentioned above, you must discontinue your gel manicure routine. According to Dr. Lain, his primary concern is not with the procedure of applying the gel or with the substance itself but rather with the process of removing it. It is a frequent practice to remove gel polish improperly, which can result in the integrity of the nail being compromised or the underlying problem being made worse.

manicure

manicure

Above all else, the two dermatologists recommend that you stay away from the nail salon. "If somebody is using scissors and cutting, you may introduce bacteria or fungus because the nail has already been damaged," explains Dr. Gohara. "If somebody is using scissors and cutting, you can introduce bacteria or fungus." It is recommended that you keep doing your manicures until the nail has grown out. To our good fortune, we are not frequenting nail salons.