Nailbed Injuries

What is a Nail Bed Injury?

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A Nail bed Injury is damage to the tissue, bone, and skin beneath the fingernail.

Common causes of nail bed injuries include:

- Getting the fingertip caught in a door
- Accidental crushing or cutting injuries from tools
- Nail biting or cuticle biting
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Symptoms of Nail Bed Injury

Minor Injuries: Swelling or pain 
Moderate Injuries: A collection of blood under the nail, also known as a Hematoma, and deeper pain
Severe Injuries: The nail may crack, tear, or be partially or fully torn off, and the bone underneath may be broken.
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Nail Bed Surgery

This is a common procedure to repair injuries to the tissue under the fingernail. This procedure can be performed under local anesthetic for adults or general anesthetic for children.

Procedure

Prior to the procedure beginning, Dr. Barbour will numb the entire finger. The nail is then removed to access the nail bed. The area is then thoroughly cleaned. The nail bed is then repaired with dissolvable sutures. The surgeon may put the old nail back on, or use a substitute like foil if the nail bed is too damaged.

Non-Surgical Treament

A non- surgical treatment for nail bed injury typically involves cleaning the wound, applying gentle pressure to stop bleeding, evaluating the affected area, icing to reduce swelling, and taking over-the-counter pain medication.