Even mild toe injuries might produce changes in the nail. Severe damage to the nail bed (the soft tissue beneath the nail plate that connects the nail to the finger), especially if caused by a crush accident, frequently leads to permanent nail deformity. To limit the danger of a permanent nail deformity, the lesion should be corrected as soon as possible, which necessitates the removal of the nail. If you have a toenail injury, contact prudent medical providers right away.
Common causes of toenail trauma
Except in rare cases where you stub your toe, most toenail injuries are caused by repetitive trauma. Athletes, runners, and even hikers are prone to the runner’s toe, a black toenail produced by repetitive strain on your nail. This damage frequently results in a subungual hematoma or blood under the nail.
What kinds of toenail damage are possible?
Almost everyone has broken a fingernail or toe and found blood under their nail bed. Trauma, such as dropping something heavy on your foot or rubbing or friction against a shoe on a daily basis, can cause a subungual hematoma. It happens when blood vessels under the nail burst open, allowing blood to pool. Your toe may resemble a blue, black, or purple bruise.
Other types of nail stress are unpleasant and can cause your nail to rip or split (laceration), fall off altogether (avulsion), or produce an ingrown toenail.
When should I go to the doctor if I have a toe injury?
If the damage is minor, you may be able to treat it yourself if the bleeding has stopped, a nail bruise covers less than one-quarter of your nail, the nail has not been cut or ripped and is still connected, and your toe is not misshapen or malformed.
If blood fills more than half of the nail area, you should see your doctor, urgent care center, or emergency hospital to drain the blood and alleviate pressure beneath the nail. You should not drill or apply pressure to your toes on your own.
Infections can occur if blood is not adequately evacuated from under the toenail. Occasionally, the nail must be removed to treat a serious rip using sutures. You should not attempt this at home.
A health care practitioner may need to remove your nail if it has been lacerated or avulsed. When the nail bed becomes dry, your provider may advise you to use a moisturizer or antifungal medicine (cream) to avoid fungal infections and maintain the nail bed’s health while the nail grows back in. Your clinician may also prescribe antibiotics to avoid infection.