Nail Injuries

Nov. 5, 2026 | They can be long or short, shiny and clean or dirty and in need of care. Some people chew on them endlessly while others pay very little attention to them at all. Human fingernails are made up of layers of tissue called keratin, which can also be found in your hair and skin. While the keratin cells are no longer living, which is why you can trim your fingernails and toenails, they represent formerly living cells that needed nutrients and proteins to survive. A nail injury can occur in any part of the nail, from the nail bed, the skin beneath the nail, to the cuticle, which is located at the base of the nail. Such injuries can occur when you smash your finger in a door, hit it with a hammer or any other heavy object, or cut it with a knife or sharp object. If you rely on a manicure for healthy-looking nails, never let your cuticles be removed as they seal the skin to the nail plate and removing them can lead to an infection.

Nov. 5, 2026 | It’s far too easy to injure a nail. Between common traumas caused by car doors, kitchen accidents, sports injuries, stubbing a toe, or wearing the wrong shoes, you might not even remember how you hurt your nail. Nail injuries can be minor or severe. Depending on the type of injury, you may notice bleeding beneath the nail, a condition known as a subungual hematoma. You may also notice bleeding on or around the nail or a throbbing pain. Cuts or tears to the nail, cuticle or skin around the nail are called nail lacerations. A nail partially or completed pulled away from the nail bed is called nail avulsion. If you lose your fingernail, it will take about seven to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about four to six months to grow to replace the lost nail. Toenails take about 12 months to grow back. The new nail will probably have grooves or ridges or be somewhat misshapen and this may be permanent.

Nov. 5, 2026 | If you’ve injured your fingernail at home, apply a cool, damp washcloth to your wound to reduce swelling. Prop the arm with the injured nail on pillows so the nail is higher than your heart. This helps reduce swelling. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and reduce swelling when your nail injury is new. If any part of your nail is hanging off, gently trim away the part not connected to your skin. Then gently clean the wound using soap and water. Remove all jewelry from your hand. You can apply soap, if needed, to help rings slip off your fingers. If you cannot remove a ring because your finger is swollen, you should call a medical professional. If the wound is bleeding, don’t put a dry bandage or gauze on top. Once the bleeding stops, this will stick. Instead, apply petroleum jelly to keep your wound moist and then cover with gauze or a bandage. Repeat these steps every day while your wound heals.

Nov. 5, 2026 | If you’ve injured your fingernail, pay attention to certain details. If pain or swelling at the site of the injury increases, if you develop a fever or you have bleeding that won’t stop, you should see a medical professional as soon as possible. You can use ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling. Acetaminophen helps with pain but not swelling. Be sure to talk with your physician before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past and do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle or by your doctor. If you have an artificial nail, it should stay in place until your nail bed heals. You may be given a splint to help protect your nail and finger as they heal. Often, a new nail will grow in and replace the old nail, pushing it off as it grows. If you broke a bone in your finger along with the nail injury, it will take about four weeks to heal.

Nov. 5, 2026 | To keep your fingernails healthy and looking their best, do whatever you can to keep them dry and clean. This keeps germs from growing under your fingernails. Repeated or long contact with water can split fingernails. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when washing dishes, cleaning, or using harsh chemicals. Always use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to cut your nails. Trim them straight across and then round the tips in a gentle curve. When applying hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles, too. Don’t bite your fingernails or pick at your cuticles. These habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut next to your fingernail can allow germs to enter and cause an infection. If you do use nail polish remover, choose one without acetone. If you have a nail problem that doesn’t seem to go away on its own or is linked to other symptoms, contact your primary health care professional or a dermatologist.