I stubbed my big toe yesterday morning. My nail is black. My toe is swollen and red. It is hot and painful. What to do?
29-year-old woman
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Isabelle Turcotte · 3 years ago
Hello,
Thank you for your question. I hope that my answer will help you.
First, I would like to ask you a few questions:
If your nail is black, there is probably blood that has accumulated under the nail (subungual hematoma). This happens when blood gets trapped between the nail plate and the nail bed, usually as a result of trauma. Subungual hematoma can cause intense stabbing pain, blue-black discoloration. If the hematoma is large, it can sometimes lead to separation or temporary loss of the nail. When the cause is a crush injury, an underlying fracture and nail bed or matrix damage may occur.
- Your toe hurts, is it mainly the pressure of the blood under your nail that hurts or the toe as well?
- Are you able to move your toe, put weight on it? If the shock was very important, it could possibly be a fracture. In this case, you should consult a doctor so that an X-ray can be taken and appropriate recommendations given
- Where does your toe feel hot and red? Directly around the nail, entire toe?
The pressure caused by the blood can be painful. Depending on the severity, it is sometimes necessary to make a small hole in the nail to drain the accumulated blood and relieve the pain. After 24 hours, the blood has clotted, and this procedure is often no longer of interest. It is best to see a health care professional to perform this procedure to avoid injury and to limit the risk of infection
If your toe is swollen and hurts, but the pain is still tolerable, you can apply cold (about 10-15 minutes every hour or so), elevate the limb and take tylenol if needed (if you have no contraindications)
If your pain is not tolerable, inability to move the toe, very intense swelling or other, I believe that a medical consultation would be preferable
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
Isabelle Turcotte, pharmacist
29-year-old woman · 3 years ago
The pain is mainly in and around the nail. I am able to move my toe but the swelling prevents me from bending it. I am unable to put weight on it (pain, pressure and numbness). It is completely hot and red but the redness is more intense around the nail
Isabelle Turcotte · 3 years ago
Is the wound more than 24 hours old?
Do you see bright red or brown blood?
Do you have a rapid progression of redness around the nail?
You can trace around where there is redness and follow if it is progressing rapidly
If it does, I think you should see a doctor.
In the meantime, ice to reduce the inflammation (pain, redness, swelling).
29-year-old woman · 3 years ago
Yes, more than 24 hours. Towards the bottom of the nail there is a little red blood but the rest of the nail is blue/black
Perfect, thank you very much for your help.
Isabelle Turcotte · 3 years ago
I hope this was helpful
Please note that your nail will probably remain stained until a new nail grows in. It is possible that the "sick" nail will fall off and a new nail will grow under it
Have a good recovery!
Isabelle Turcotte,
pharmacist
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