Who hasn't stubbed their toe, shut their finger in a door or banged themselves with a hammer? These unfortunate events can lead to a subungual hematoma which is a medical term for blood under the nails. This condition can be extremely painful and may call for professional medical treatment, however, many instances can be cared for adequately at home.
Instructions
General Home Care
1. Employ the R.I.C.E. treatment as soon as possible following injury. This is rest, ice, light compression and elevation. You can wrap a towel with ice or a bag of frozen vegetables around the injured area. Do not place ice directly on top of skin. Rest in a recliner or in bed with your injured hand or foot atop a couple of pillows.
2. Take 200 mg of ibuprofen for pain and inflammation every four hours. The combination of medication and ice should reduce the pain substantially. See a doctor if you are still having severe pain following these actions.
3. Trim the nail carefully if it is ragged after injury. Cover the nail if any of the nail-bed is exposed with gauze and surgical take. Observe the nail carefully daily for any changes which could necessitate calling a physician. Be patient as blood from underneath the nails can take months to fully go away.
Draining the Blood
4. Prepare to drain the blood yourself. Only do this if you do not have diabetes or an immune depressing disease. Consider draining if other home treatment fails to stop pain. Gather together a paper clip, a flame source, a clean white washcloth and antibacterial cream.
5. Straighten your paper clip and soak it in boiling water for 2 minutes.
6. Place the end of the paperclip into the flame of a lighter until it is extremely hot. Put this heated tip into the center of your nail allowing it to melt a small hole in it. This should be painless as long as you do not push the clip so hard you hit the skin underneath. Take your time and reheat clip if needed to go through a thickened nail.
7. Allow the fluid to drain from the nail. Wash the nail in warm soapy water and apply antibiotic cream. You may have repeat the draining process after a few days to completely remove all the blood under the nail.
Tags: blood under, nail carefully, paper clip