A bruise under a nail on a toe or hand is not attractive to anyone. Unfortunately, this phenomenon occurs quite often and many people experience it. Most often, a bruise is formed as a result of a blow and is a hematoma, which in the coming days will remind itself of itself with a blackened or blue nail plate. There are many reasons that can cause a bruise on the nail. After all, not only mechanical trauma can cause this unsightly and uncomfortable formation.
The following causes of bruising are usually noted:
More than half of the reasons on this list do not have serious consequences, but they occur so often that it is worth distinguishing them from each other. There are other symptoms besides painful nails and changes in color.
In addition to the acute pain that arose at the time of injury, a hematoma also begins to form under the nail of the big toe if the blow falls on this particular area. In almost one hundred percent of cases, after such an injury, consequences remain. Initially, swelling of the entire finger or at least around the nail plate appears, and the hematoma itself appears within a couple of hours. During this time, the blood in the burst vessels has time to collect under the nail. At first it has its own color, but gradually acquires a blue tint, and then turns black.
On average, such a bruise goes away in a couple of weeks. The main thing here is not to confuse a bruise or hematoma with a fracture of a finger in this phalanx. A fracture will be accompanied by more acute pain and immobility of the injury site.
Other types of hematoma under the nail have no connection with bruise or mechanical damage. Therefore, if a patient discovers a hematoma on his nail, but knows for sure that he did not hit himself, he can safely discard the previous options.
If bruises have formed on the nail under the nails, under the nail of the big toe or on the hand, but at the same time they cause the greatest discomfort, but not pain, it is worth taking a closer look at them. Perhaps it's a fungus. The following symptoms can be found as accompanying symptoms:
What to do if any accompanying symptom appears? It is worth consulting a doctor to confirm the diagnosis of the fungus and begin appropriate treatment before the fungus appears on all fingers and develops its activity further.
Fungus is not a harmless disease that can be ignored, and it also causes a lot of problems for its owner.
There are a number of diseases for the treatment of which vasoconstrictor drugs or those that affect blood clotting are prescribed. In rare cases, such drugs can cause bruising under the nail plates as a side effect. In this case, it is better to consult with your doctor and do not hide the causes of concern from him. Most likely, he will stop the drug or adjust its dosage. Stopping prescribed blood-related medications on your own can be very dangerous.
With an established disease of the cardiovascular system of the body, hematomas may appear under the nails and not only, because the body becomes weak. These diseases are dangerous because blood is difficult to circulate throughout the body, and organs do not receive enough oxygen and other useful substances. Arteries and veins can work too hard and wear out several times faster.
As a result of such violations, injuries and bruises may appear throughout the body, including under the nails. There is a danger of disruption to the functioning of any organ. It is worth noting that in such cases, usually many of the patient’s nails turn black, and not just one specific one.
One of the varieties of ordinary melanoma is its subungual variety. A characteristic sign of the neoplasm in question is darkening of the skin around the nail bed. Later, a tumor appears, which destroys the nail. As the disease develops, not only swelling and bruising appear, but also sanguineous fluid and pus. This process will cause too noticeable discomfort and pain, so it is better to consult a doctor immediately.
At the initial stage, it is quite difficult to diagnose melanoma, because it is very similar to a regular bruise. But, if a person is absolutely sure that he did not hit himself anywhere, then he should consult a doctor immediately.
To determine melanoma, you need to do a biopsy, which can accurately determine the presence of a diagnosis and set the timing of removal of the lesion.
In addition to melanoma, this type of nails is often found in diabetes mellitus. In addition to the fact that this disease makes it quite difficult to treat any other diseases, in this case, even a simple blow to a piece of furniture can result in the removal of a nail or leave a limb without an entire finger.
The tragedy of the situation is that with diabetes a person loses sensitivity in the feet and hands. Not completely, but enough that a person could harm himself without noticing it. Problems such as bruises under the nails or foot ulcers are common occurrences for them, which simply no one pays much attention to.
People with diabetes may well wear tight shoes, even a couple of sizes too small. And at the same time not feel any discomfort or pain. Therefore, it is imperative for such people to monitor the condition of their feet and nails themselves.
Playing sports in uncomfortable shoes can also cause a bruise or hematoma under the big toe nail. If the purchased new shoes constantly press in the area of the big toe on the foot, causing terrible discomfort and pain, then in this case a bruise under the nail may also form. In addition to its formation, when you try to put tight shoes on your feet, you will constantly experience unpleasant pain. As soon as the finger comes into contact with uncomfortable shoes, this will provoke an increase in the hematoma and painful sensations in the body.
Bruises often appear in those who are actively involved in sports and are forced to wear a certain type of shoes: speed skaters, skiers, ballerinas, football players. Their type of activity is often associated with the appearance of not only bruises under the nail plates, but also bruises along the length of the entire leg. This happens due to the special structure of the shoes, which allows you to achieve the desired results. But, unfortunately, it is traumatic for the owner of the shoes and causes, at a minimum, bruises on the nails of the big toes.
Each of these reasons requires special attention and proper treatment, without which consequences may arise: from an excessively long healing of a hematoma to amputation of a limb. You should not ignore the changes that appear in the body. Especially if a person has diabetes or the hematoma appeared without traumatic factors.
Fingernails and toenails are often injured, resulting in abrasions, cuts, and wounds. Various formations in such areas can be caused by internal diseases. Therefore, when pus appears under the nail, you should pay close attention to this problem and properly care for it.
An abscess under the nail, which manifests itself in the form of pus, is medically called felon. It can occur in both children and adults. Since pus appears as a result of an infectious lesion, specific treatment is required. What is the danger of panaritium and how to get rid of it?
An abscess under the nail is not considered a very serious problem. But despite this, it causes very unpleasant symptoms. They increase depending on the stage of felon.
Panaritium requires treatment; the longer appropriate therapy is not started, the larger the lesion becomes and the more tissue becomes infected.
Suppuration appears quite often, and its size depends on the cause. An abscess is the result of the reproduction and activation of harmful microorganisms that have entered the desired environment. They most often occur as a result of household injuries to the nail and the skin around it.
The most common causes of abscess are the following factors:
In addition to everyday factors, a phenomenon such as panaritium can develop as a result of diseases. These include:
At first glance, an abscess under the nail is not a serious problem and can be easily gotten rid of. But it is important to understand that in case of untimely treatment, the pus will not only not disappear on its own, but will also become more active and can lead to complications.
The most common complications are represented by the following unpleasant diseases:
These diseases have painful symptoms, develop very quickly and, if treated incorrectly or not, can be fatal.
Very often, abscess treatment occurs at home. And in most cases it is effective. But if the abscess actively increases its diameter, a lot of pus is released and an increase in body temperature is observed, then you should consult a doctor.
Complex treatment includes a number of such procedures:
Even if an injury occurs, but no pus appears and there are no clear signs of an abscess, it is worth taking preventive measures. To do this, the affected area must be treated with any antiseptic. Hydrogen peroxide is suitable for this; it will neutralize and destroy possible bacteria.
Very often, alternative medicine is used to treat panaritium. This is very convenient, such methods are available to almost everyone and are easy to use at home.
The most popular traditional medicine that helps get rid of pus under the nail:
To keep your nails beautiful and healthy, you need to take proper care of them. It is very important to follow the rules of hygiene, use only personal tools, and in salons check their condition for disinfection. If a problem such as an abscess appears, then it is necessary to urgently take measures to prevent the infection from developing and becoming more complicated.
An abscess or abscess appears when microbes and infections enter the human body through a damaged skin surface, and microbes can even get there from the body itself, for example, through lymphatic or blood vessels.
The abscess itself does not occur on its own; the reason for its appearance is the penetration of an infection, sometimes pathogenic, into the skin. It could be a splinter or an unsuccessfully picked flower with thorns. A foreign object, once in the skin, begins to rot.
Inflammation of the cuticle can also cause an abscess. This happens when it is carelessly damaged or when manicure is performed incorrectly.
You can treat a purulent abscess under the nail with folk remedies, but it is better to turn to specialists - it is much safer. Especially, body temperature rose.
Any treatment for an abscess should be under the supervision of a physician.
If appropriate treatment is not carried out, then when the abscess matures, the pus can go inside, under the membrane. This is fraught with purulent inflammation and blood poisoning.
Antibiotic treatment is often prescribed to prevent relapse.
If an abscess occurs, prepare a decoction of chamomile, sage, lilac leaves, plantain, St. John's wort, and add baking soda to this composition. Pour 1 liter of water over the herb and put it on the fire, boil for 3-5 minutes, cool.
Then keep the sore hand in the warm broth for 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully, using a spatula treated with alcohol, lift the nail plate and alternately press on the fingertip, then on the nail - the pus will gradually begin to flow out.
However, you cannot open the abscess without a preliminary steaming process in order to avoid infection.
After this procedure, even if all the pus has not come out, make a new hand bath from the decoction and place plantain or aloe on the sore spot.
This procedure is repeated after 12 – 18 hours. Gradually the sore spot will heal.
There are a lot of folk non-traditional methods for treating an abscess under the nail. But in order to have as few unpleasant moments as an abscess as possible, you need to take timely and careful care of your hands and nails.
An excellent strengthening agent would be a mixture of beer, vegetable oil and lemon juice.
But you should remember that these recipes cannot be used every day. But the use of gloves when doing housework to protect hands from external factors is recommended for all women (if there is no allergy to latex).
Nails, despite the initial impression of strength, require constant care. One coat of varnish or gel is not enough. There are affordable and simple methods for caring for your hands, including your nails.
The basic rule of nail care is to treat them with care. Protection from adverse effects is the main thing in care. During cold winds, frost, and high dampness, you must use mittens or gloves. And the use of special creams for hands and nails will protect against exposure to ultraviolet rays in the summer, and against chapping in the winter.
All kinds of baths, masks, wraps are excellent protection for nails. Manicure and massage also provide an incentive to improve quality and health.
However, good nutrition and a balanced diet are important. To strengthen the nail plates, it is advisable to use foods rich in calcium and vitamin A in the diet.
Especially good in this regard: cabbage, citrus fruits, broccoli, seafood, cottage cheese, dried apricots. It is useful to use multivitamin complexes from time to time.
A bruise under a toenail is scientifically called a hematoma. It is formed due to the accumulation of blood. Most often, the problem appears due to external influences, but other causes are also possible.
The formation of hematomas is a normal physiological process. When struck, the blood vessels are damaged and blood is released from them. It remains under the nail plate, as it cannot flow beyond it due to the high strength of the nail. Over time, the blood clot may turn black and the finger may become slightly swollen. Then the hematoma changes color, the plate separates from the bed, and the nail becomes slightly convex.
A bruise that appears on the big toe nail can cause negative complications. Firstly, infections can penetrate into the space that forms between the plate and the nail bed. Secondly, the nail remains very fragile until it is completely renewed. If pressure occurs as it grows, it may become deformed.
A characteristic symptom of the formation of a hematoma is severe throbbing pain, which subsides over time. If the injury is severe enough, it may be permanent. When the plate fuses, the patient may feel discomfort, and pain appears only as a result of pressure.
The main factors that provoke the appearance of bruises on the fingers:
Symptoms of varicose veins and more can be:
If you have these symptoms, you need to know that this is stage l of varicose veins. How our readers solve foot problems.
If the hematoma is not a consequence of external influences or wearing uncomfortable shoes, you should definitely go to the doctor.
Only a specialist can conduct the necessary research and detect the disease at the first stage of its development.
You can treat a bruise under the big toe nail yourself or under the guidance of a doctor. First of all, the damaged area must be placed under cold water to stop the bleeding, reduce the amount of blood under the plate and the risk of subsequent detachment. Alternatively, you can use ice cubes. Regular iodine is suitable for disinfection. This first aid is suitable for all hematomas under the nails. Further therapy is selected depending on the characteristics of the injury.
Drug therapy will help remove the bruise that has formed under the nails. There are several options:
Blood can only be removed if little time has passed since it was released. Later, you can get rid of the clot only by removing the nail plate. In some cases, you can do without a doctor and complex treatment. The nail will begin to grow and it will be enough to cut it off. But this is a long process that can take a long time - from three to six months.
The following methods are suitable for self-treatment of hematomas:
It is impossible to completely remove a bruise using these methods, but folk recipes will help reduce inflammation and accelerate the growth of the nail plate. Hematoma is a serious problem, so it is better to see a doctor so that your nails do not remain deformed. It is recommended to use any medications and folk remedies only after a visit to the doctor.
Basic preventive measures are aimed at preventing possible injuries. To do this, you need to follow safety rules at work.
At home, you should be careful when performing any activities.
Injury to the nails due to tight shoes can be avoided if you choose such products wisely. It is better to buy comfortable shoes or boots than to chase fashion.
It is very important to maintain good hygiene and ensure you have a balanced diet.
Fungal infection of the nail plate on the fingers or toes is called onychomycosis. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed in men, athletes and people over 60 years of age. The infection is caused by protozoan yeasts, molds, or dermatophytes. Fungus under the nail develops when the matrix of the plate is deeply damaged through an infected proximal ridge.
The spread of onychomycosis occurs through contact from a sick person, through personal hygiene items, during visits to public swimming pools and saunas. High humidity promotes rapid growth of fungi. Infection can occur due to mechanical trauma to the nail, skin candidiasis, circulatory problems, or after a manicure.
Diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases lead to impaired blood circulation. Insufficient nutrition of peripheral tissues leads to slower growth of the nail plate and creates a convenient environment for the active growth of fungal colonies.
The proximal form of onychomycosis develops when pathogenic microorganisms enter the root of the nail through a roller infected with mycosis. Often the disease is diagnosed as a secondary infection against the background of damage to the interdigital folds and feet, but there is also an isolated pathology affecting only the nail.
Immunodeficiency states contribute to the disruption of the natural microflora of the mucous membranes, the growth of fungi in places with high humidity (armpits, feet, interdigital and inguinal folds).
Weakening of the immune system occurs after suffering from colds and viral diseases, during exacerbation of chronic ailments, against the background of severe stress, and hormonal disorders.
There are more than 50 strains of fungi that can cause infection. The most common pathogens are yeast, mold microorganisms, dermatomycetes and dermatophytes. Under the nail, the fungus begins to infect the root of the plate first. The socket and matrix quickly become involved in the pathological process and the bed becomes inflamed.
Characteristic symptoms of onychomycosis:
Subungual fungus develops faster than the superficial form of infection. Deep damage to the matrix of the plate occurs, and dystrophic and inflammatory processes are observed.
With concomitant fungal infection of the feet and hands, peeling of the skin is observed, the tissues flake off in the form of whitish scales. The pathology causes severe itching, dryness, cracks, and hangnails along the edges of the nail folds.
If the fungus is not cured in time, the disease becomes degenerative. The nail plate becomes very thin and collapses, exposing the bed.
Proximal onychomycosis has distinctive symptoms, so in most cases there are no difficulties in making a diagnosis. Laboratory diagnostics are carried out to determine the type of fungus that caused the infection and to select medications.
Due to similar symptoms, nail fungus is differentiated from psoriasis, lichen planus, keratoderma, and vitamin deficiency.
How to treat fungus under the nails is determined by a dermatologist. The regimen is selected depending on the severity of the disease, the presence of dystrophic changes, and the inflammatory process. Patients take oral antifungal drugs to which infectious agents are sensitive.
Tablets for the systemic treatment of fungus under the nail:
The treatment regimen, duration of taking the tablets and dosage are prescribed by the attending physician. It is necessary to take antifungal drugs for 3 to 6 months; in severe forms of onychomycosis, the course can be extended to 1 year.
Local lubrication of the nail plates is carried out with creams and solutions with antifungals. The advantage of this method of therapy is the direct effect on the lesion. But local treatment is prescribed as monotherapy only in the initial stages of the disease. In other cases, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment with systemic agents and ointments for external use.
The following drugs help cure the proximal form of the fungus:
Creams and solutions are applied to the affected nail plates 1-2 times a day. The active components prevent the addition of a secondary infection, slow down the growth of fungi, and cause their death. Nail treatment continues until the symptoms of the pathology disappear and for some time after that to eliminate the risk of relapse.
Surgical removal of the nail plate is carried out if taking antifungal agents does not produce results or if a bacterial infection, inflammatory, purulent process is attached.
Despite the removal of the nail, additional therapy with antifungals and local treatment of the bed with antiseptics and antifungal ointments should be carried out.
To get rid of the affected plate, special solvents are used that promote keratinization and tissue death. This method is less traumatic and can be performed at home.
Currently, laser treatment of fungus under the nail plate is widely used. The affected area is exposed to infrared radiation, this allows it to penetrate into the deepest layers, destroy fungi and reduce inflammation. To obtain a good result, laser treatment is combined with systemic therapy.
In addition to antifungal therapy, you need to strengthen your immune system. To do this, you should heal your body, adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle, and give up bad habits. With candidiasis, limit the consumption of sweets, since carbohydrates promote the rapid growth of protozoan microorganisms. Imudon and Echinacea are taken as immunomodulators; multivitamins replenish the deficiency of beneficial microelements.
Fungus under the nail plates or deep onychomycosis requires urgent medical attention. Treatment started in the early stages allows you to quickly cure the disease, prevent the infection from spreading to large areas, and prevent the formation of acute inflammation and suppuration of the bed. To get rid of fungus, you need to take systemic medications and perform local treatment of nails with creams and ointments with antifungals.
Each part of the human body, in one way or another, can signal various malfunctions and the development of certain pathological processes that are not visible to the normal eye. Nails are a kind of litmus test, the indication of which is definitely worth paying attention to. Often people are faced with the fact that they have a void under their nail, but at the same time they miss such a signal and do not take therapeutic measures to solve the problem. This is partly due to a lack of knowledge and time to take care of your health. In order to respond in a timely manner and begin the correct therapeutic procedures, you should clearly understand why the nail plates peel off from the skin and for what reasons this happens. Otherwise, a negligent attitude towards oneself will lead to aggravation of an initially mild disease.
The first thing a person pays attention to is the deterioration of the aesthetic appearance of the toes, which especially worries the fair sex in the summer, when everyone wears open shoes. Of course, if such a symptom is detected, it would be right to visit a doctor, but many begin to mask the problem. So, first of all, the nail peels off due to insufficient or improper blood supply to the finger. But this condition occurs for the following reasons:
Women are well aware that a void under the nail can also form as a result of an unprofessional pedicure performed in a beauty salon. That is, during the procedure, an infection was introduced from instruments that were not processed after the previous client.
First of all, when a person notices that there are voids under the toenails, he needs to go to a consultation with a dermatologist or therapist as soon as possible. If this is not possible, then you should pay attention to the diseased nail and minimize the likelihood of infectious microorganisms entering the resulting cavity. And special pharmaceutical products such as antiseptics (spray, coating, oil) will help with this.
When visiting a doctor, you will definitely need to determine the root cause of the formation of emptiness under the nail. To do this, the specialist will prescribe a blood donation, which will determine the presence or absence of internal pathologies. Without fail, a scraping is taken from the affected nail plate and sent for microscopic analysis. This procedure will make it possible to identify a fungal infection. Once the true cause has been established, the correct treatment is prescribed, which the patient must follow.
Treatment tactics are based on the underlying cause. Thus, if voids under the nail have formed after taking potent medications, for example, from the group of antibiotics, then it is necessary to stop taking them, if possible, or wait until the therapeutic course ends. Subsequently, no action is required from the patient, because the destruction of the nail plate will stop on its own, and the nail will soon return to its normal state.
Similar treatment tactics are undertaken in cases where the cause of the appearance of voids under the nails is exposure to aggressive chemicals. That is, you need to either protect your hands when in contact with them, or completely eliminate the use of chemicals. If after these steps there is no improvement, then you will need to take the most proper care of the nail plate, take vitamins and review your diet.
A distinctive feature of a nail affected by a fungal infection is the initial appearance of a small cavity between the skin and the plate. It is into this that pathogenic microorganisms penetrate, and if a favorable environment is created for them, they begin to multiply, killing the nail. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, complete detachment of the plate may occur. But in order to select the right medications, it is imperative to accurately determine the type of infection, which is possible through prescribed tests and scrapings.
When the doctor clearly determines which fungus has affected the nail, he will prescribe medications, ointments, nail polishes, and a regimen for taking them. It is imperative to adhere to it, and not stop treatment earlier than recommended by the specialist, even if the visible symptoms have passed. The peculiarity of the fungus is that it can live in the body for a long time without showing obvious signs. And, if treatment is stopped early, it will begin to multiply again.
Equally important is careful hygiene, which will not only reduce the number of microorganisms, but also prevent infection of family members.
As additional help for damaged nails, in combination with prescribed medications, you can treat with traditional medicine recipes. Among them, the most effective in dealing with voids under the nails are:
You can also pamper your feet with healing baths. For one liter of warm water, take 2 teaspoons of sea salt, dissolve it, and immerse your feet in the water for 15 minutes. After time, the limbs are wiped dry. You can also take a liter of warm water, dissolve it in a little manganese (until you get a pale pink color) and immerse your feet for a quarter of an hour, then wipe the limb dry.
It is important to remember that any changes in the nail plate indicate any disturbances in the functioning of the body, so you should not ignore these signals. It is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
The formation of an empty cavity under the nail becomes a noticeable cosmetic defect, very noticeable. If a person wears comfortable shoes that are the right size, this phenomenon indicates the development of a serious disease that causes the owner a lot of inconvenience with health, in addition to a cosmetic defect. If treatment is not arranged, you may lose your toenails. The best remedy is timely protection, strengthening of nails and prevention of diseases that can cause the formation of emptiness.
The process of formation of a void under a toenail or fingernail is called onycholysis. Treatment of the disease depends primarily on the causes that provoke its development.
There are two main reasons: mechanical damage to the nail, fungal infection or viral infection. In some cases, this condition manifests itself as an allergic reaction to selected elements. In other cases, this becomes a manifestation of diseases, for example, psoriasis.
Treatment of emptiness of various sizes under the toenails and fingernails is not a quick procedure and requires patience and accuracy in carrying out the measures. The key condition for effective implementation is the correct and prompt identification of the reasons that caused the formation and increase of emptiness under the nails. Treatment can be carried out without identifying the causes, but such a decision will lead to a relapse of symptoms.
Let's look at the cases carefully:
Treatment of onycholysis, regardless of the causes of formation, requires consistency and regularity. You shouldn’t start treatment, then take a break and start again. Treatment must be carried out regularly, consistently, under the strict guidance of a doctor. Massaging your fingers in the nail area shows good results; it is recommended to do it daily on your own.
A common cause of emptiness under the fingernails and toenails is the entry of fungal spores into the body. The fingernail begins to peel off and form a void as a result of the infection. Gradually, the nails of the body are completely damaged by the fungus. Treatment in some cases takes years; fungal spores live not only under the toenails and in the skin, but when they enter the blood through the walls of blood vessels, they gradually spread throughout the body.
Treatment of the fungus should be carried out under the close supervision of a mycologist, who assesses the degree of damage and prescribes the most appropriate drug in a particular case. You should not take antimycotics on your own; the drugs have a lot of complications and contraindications. Among the drugs, the largest number of positive reviews received:
When treating a fungal infection, it is recommended to take regular daily baths with the addition of salt, baking soda, and potassium permanganate. It is permissible to use special solutions designed to treat voids under the nails:
After treatment with the solution, a special cream is applied to the damaged nail to treat the fungus. The applied cream is secured with an antibacterial patch. The course is performed daily without stopping for 2 weeks. After completing the course, the damaged areas simply need to be carefully cut down.
To destroy the remaining fungal spores after removing a damaged toenail, preventing relapse, you should continue to rub in the antifungal cream for an additional month. A similar method is used to treat voids under the nails caused by dermatitis or psoriasis. Treatment continues without fail until a healthy nail grows back.
For local treatment of fungal infections, it is recommended to use the following drugs:
Treatment can be accelerated if correctly supplemented with procedures suggested by traditional medicine. Recipes collected by ancestors over the years will be a wonderful addition if used correctly. Home treatment is pre-coordinated with the attending physician; the doctor is able to realistically assess the likelihood of a positive result and possible complications and risks.
Among the popular methods are:
It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it later. To prevent voids from forming under your nails, pay close attention to your health. Prevention is of great importance. Follow simple rules:
Immediately seeking medical help will help to cope with the problem as quickly as possible, and in some cases prevent further spread.