Subungual Hematoma

Subungual Hematoma is a nail disease in which blood is collected below a fingernail or toenail.

It is mostly an outcome of a traumatic injury like crashing a finger in a gate. A laceration is caused bleeding into the limited region below the thick nail plate.

As the blood dislocates the relations between the nail plate and nail bed. Throbbing pain is general in this condition. The toenail or fingernail associates a black mark overlying the laceration.

Either removing the complete nail or releasing the pressure by drilling a hole throughout the nail into the hematoma can treat this disease.

Trephining is commonly proficient by using a heated mechanism to go by nail in the blood clot.

Causes of Subungual Hematoma

It is mostly associated after getting crush form injury to the end of toe or fingernail.

The injury can be associated in different ways such as dropping a heavy item on the toe or finger, hitting the finger with a hammer or closing the finger in a gate or door.

Symptoms of Subungual Hematoma

Blood below the nail of toe or finger is the major sign of this disease. Sufferer will has discoloration of dark color such as maroon or red beneath the nail after getting an injury.

People who have subungual hematoma feel severe pain in the affected area. Pressure generated between the nail bed and nail.

Diagnosis of Subungual Hematoma

The health care providers perform x-ray to determine the subungual hematoma. X-rays do not give any information regarding the hematoma or bleeding formation below the nail.

Nailbed examination is based on the degree and type of injury and how much blood forms underneath the nail, the health care providers may take decision of removing nail to evaluate the nailbed for cuts.

Treatment for subungual hematoma

  • Many medical techniques use for draining the blood underneath the nail. This technique is also known as discharging the hematoma.

  • The health care providers prescribe anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen like Motrin or Advil and Ice to treat subungual hematoma.

  • One should apply ice on the affected area, but never apply ice directly on it. One can use it after wrapping ice in a soft towel.

  • Medical attention is required if the 25% of the region of the nail is affected from this disease.

  • In some cases, a dry sterile bandage such as band-aid and a topical antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin are used to treat this disorder.