How long does a bruise stay under fingernail?
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.
When should I be concerned about a bruised nail?
After a hard impact to your finger or toe, your nail may look bruised. But it’s the tissue under your nail that’s bruised — not your nail itself. Blood or bruising under your nail is known as a subungual hematoma. If you see blood or a bruise under your nail after an injury, seek medical care soon — within two days.
Is a bruised nail permanent?
Sometimes bleeding under the nail can change the structure of the toenail for a period of time and may lead to the nail loosening or falling off. This is usually temporary, but if the trauma was severe it may be permanent.
What happens if you leave a bruised nail?
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.
Can a hematoma last for years?
Some hematomas persist as slowly expanding, space-occupying masses for months or years, and are termed as chronic expanding hematomas (CEH) [1]. In general, hematomas are naturally reabsorbed and rarely cause serious problems.
How long does it take a smashed fingernail to heal?
Though they can be very painful, most smashed fingers heal after a few days of at-home care. Rest, ice, elevation, and the use of OTC pain and anti-inflammatory medications are generally the best way to get immediate and long-term relief from this injury.
How long does it take for a smashed fingernail to fall off?
Unless the area of bleeding is very small, an affected nail will usually fall off on its own after several weeks because the pooled blood has separated it from its bed. A new fingernail can regrow in as little as 8 weeks. A new toenail may not fully regrow for about 6 months.
Can a damaged nail bed be repaired?
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.
What happens if hematoma doesnt go away?
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.
Can a hematoma last for months?
A large hematoma may last weeks to months and as it heals it will change color and slowly shrink in size. Hematoma pain and swelling may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications.
When should you see a doctor for a smashed fingernail?
Other reasons to seek medical attention for a smashed finger include: severe swelling for more than 2 days. deep wound. the finger will not bend.
Can you permanently damage your nail bed?
Severe damage to the nail bed (the soft tissue underneath the nail plate that attaches the nail to the finger), particularly from a crush injury, often results in permanent nail deformity. To reduce the risk of a permanent nail deformity, the injury should be repaired immediately, which requires removal of the nail.
Is it normal for a bruise to last 2 months?
From start to finish, a bruise will typically last between 2 and 3 weeks. Some bruises will take longer to heal. This will depend on both the severity of the injury and where on your body you got the bruise. Some parts of the body, especially extremities like the arms and legs, may be slower to heal.
What happens if your fingernail falls off from a bruise?
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 bruised nail to heal?
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. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
What to do if you have a bruise under your nail?
“When the bruise underneath the nail encompasses more than 50 percent of the surface area of the nail, the blood underneath the nail should be evacuated to try and preserve the nail,” says Lain. The doctor can do this easily by drilling a small hole in the nail plate and letting any excess blood drain.
What are the symptoms of a bruised toenail?
The symptoms of a bruised toenail can include: Discoloration to the area. You may experience pain in the area that is affected that can run from a dull ache to severe and acute.