Subungual Hematoma
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it? Subungual (sub-un-gwull) is the area under your fingernails and toenails. A hematoma (he-muh-toe-muh) is a pocket of blood. A subungual hematoma is a pocket of blood under a fingernail or toenail.
Causes: A subungual hematoma is usually caused by an injury to the fingernail or toenail. For example, smashing a finger in a door breaks the blood vessels under the nail.
Signs and Symptoms: You may feel pain caused by the pressure of the blood under the nail. Your nail may bleed or it may be bruised. Later your nail may fall off and a new one will grow back.
Care:
- You may need to have an x-ray to see if you broke a bone when you injured your nail. Your caregiver may need to put a small hole in the nail to let out the trapped blood. This will help lessen the pain. If there is an object under the nail, the object will have to be removed. The nail may also have to be taken off.
- Keep the area clean. You may need to cover the nail with a bandage. Put an ice pack on the nail and keep your hand above the level of your heart. This will help to lessen the pain and swelling. You may need a tetanus shot. You may take acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-min-o-fin) or ibuprofen (i-bew-pro-fin) to help the pain. Do not take ibuprofen if you are allergic to aspirin.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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