How do you describe a nail bed injury?

Nail bed injuries are a type of fingertip injury, which is the most common type of hand injury seen in hospital emergency rooms. They can be minor or they can also be very painful and uncomfortable, even limiting your finger movement.

Is my nail matrix damaged?

When this occurs, a scarred or abnormal nail plate can develop, or the nail can be lost permanently. Finally, a brown or black line in the nail plate that grows from the cuticle outwards can indicate a matrix problem.

How long do nail bed injuries take to heal?

If you lose your nail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow to replace the lost nail. Toenails take about 12 months to grow back.

When should you see a doctor for a nail bed injury?

If your finger or toe bone has broken along with the nail bed injury, it may take four weeks to heal. If you see any signs of infections such as pus, redness, or a red streak extending from that wound, then see your doctor. Your new nail may have grooves or ridges and may remain permanently distorted.

Can a damaged nail matrix heal?

Many injuries to your nail bed can be fully repaired. For example, your nail should return to normal after a subungual hematoma is drained. However, some severe injuries can lead to a deformed nail.

How do you treat a damaged nail bed?

Keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail bed is firm or the nail has grown back. Apply a new adhesive bandage whenever the bandage gets wet. Watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus.

How do you take care of an exposed nail bed?

How do you heal an exposed nail bed?

Protect any exposed part of the nail bed for 7 to 10 days until this skin hardens and isn’t sensitive anymore. Coat the area with antibiotic ointment and top with a nonstick bandage. Change the bandage every day and whenever it gets wet. (If any part gets stuck, soak it under warm running water until it slips off.)

How do you help nail beds grow back?

How to make your nail beds appear longer

1. Grow out your nails. First step is to let your nails grow out.
2. Use a nail brush for cleaning instead of a nail scraper. You can also make your nail beds appear longer by cleaning underneath your nails with a nail brush instead of metal nail tools.
3. Push back your cuticles.

What kind of injury is a nail bed injury?

Nail bed injuries are the result of direct trauma to the fingertip and can be characterized into subungual hematoma, nail bed laceration and nail bed avulsion. Diagnosis is made by careful inspection of the nail bed integrity.

How are nail injuries related to cosmetic morbidity?

Nail injuries may have significant associated functional and cosmetic morbidity The nail bed provides adherence and support for the nail Nail bed: overlies the cortex of the distal phalanx and lies directly beneath the nail plate Eponychium: the skin that covers the proximal end Hyponychium: the skin edge at the distal nail margin

How long does it take for a nail bed injury to heal?

You might need a splint for up to three weeks, depending on the seriousness of the injury. Many injuries to your nail bed can be fully repaired. For example, your nail should return to normal after a subungual hematoma is drained.

Can a finger be removed from a nail bed injury?

Finger fractures are also common with this type of injury. If you have a nail bed avulsion, your nail will have to be removed if it hasn’t come off during the injury. There are also nail bed injuries that affect more than your nail bed, such as a fingertip fracture or amputation.