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Will a black and blue nail fall off?
When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks.
How do you know if a bruised fingernail will fall off?
Treating a bruised fingernail 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.
Why does your nail turn black when you hit it?
A subungual hematoma is when blood gets trapped under your nail bed. It’s usually caused by your nail getting crushed or hit by a heavy object. Symptoms include throbbing pain and your nail turning black and blue. This usually looks like a bruise under your nail.
How do you get rid of a black bruised nail?
Treatment
- Rest: Limit use of the affected finger or toe.
- Ice: Use an ice pack, to reduce swelling and pain.
- Compression: Apply pressure such as a wrap to the area immediately, to reduce the amount of blood that can pool.
- Elevation: Keep the affected hand or foot elevated, to reduce swelling.
How long does it take for a bruised fingernail to heal?
The discolored nail will eventually grow out — or in some cases it may fall off or need to be removed — and be replaced by a new, healthy one. This could take anywhere from about eight weeks for a fingernail to six months for a toenail.
Why do my nails have a purple tint?
Blue fingernails are caused by a low level or lack of oxygen circulating in your red blood cells. This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color.
How do you know if your nail bed is damaged?
A person should see a doctor if:
- any jewelry is difficult to remove from the injured finger or toe.
- pooling blood covers more than half of the nail bed.
- pain from the injury is severe.
- bleeding does not easily stop.
- any cut is deep.
- the nail is cut, torn, or detached from the nail bed.
- the finger or toe has an usual shape.
What are blue Nails?
Can you drain a hematoma yourself?
If blood is spontaneously draining from the hematoma, drainage of subungual hematoma is generally not required. You should not try draining your subungual hematoma at home as improper drainage may result in infections or permanent damage to the nail bed.