A subungual haemorrhage: what is it?

The medical name for bleeding and bruises beneath the nail is a subungual haemorrhage. Usually, they are brought on by trauma or injury to the nail unit.

For instance, the blood vessels beneath the nail burst and leak if you slam a door on your fingers or if something heavy compresses your toes. As blood builds up behind the nail, this may cause excruciating pain and throbbing.

Why do subungual haemorrhages occur?
One significant trauma (like dropping a weight on the toe) or several little traumas (like wearing poorly fitted shoes) are typically the causes of subungual haemorrhages. Subungual haemorrhage has numerous causes, some of which are as follows:

• Unsuitable shoes
• High heels
• Running, hiking, and other sports like basketball, football, or ballet.
• Toe stubs
• Dropping something on your toe

How does a subungual haemaoma occur?
It’s typically linked to people who wear heels, poorly fitted shoes, and participate in sports like ballet en pointe or marathon running. Sometimes it’s just impossible to prevent, like when you drop something on your toe.

What symptoms might one expect from a subungual haemorrhage?

Symptoms of a subungual haemorrhage include:

• Nail feels sore or tender.
• Blood under the nail and nail discolouration (red, blue, purple, maroon, and black)
• The sensation of pressure beneath the nail
• Pain that throbs beneath the nail
• The skin surrounding the nail is swollen and inflamed.

How do you diagnose a subungual haemorrhage?
With a comprehensive medical and social history and a visual examination, a podiatrist can typically diagnose a subungual haemorrhage with ease.

Does podiatry help with subungual haemorrhage?
In order to alleviate the symptoms associated with a subungual haemorrhage, podiatry intervention would be beneficial. When necessary, podiatrists will also offer guidance on how to prevent a recurrence of the subungual haemorrhage in the future as well as how to take care of the toe after your visit.

What is involved in podiatry for a subungual haemorrhage?
Minor subungual haematomas typically go away without therapy or difficulties and don’t create any major health issues. Initial soreness and inflammation can be lessened with over-the-counter pain relievers.

However, you should seek medical advice if the pain is unbearable and the nail has significant trauma or damage.

You should see a podiatrist as soon as possible after the damage if the majority of the nail plate is stained with blood and causing you pain. In order to immediately relieve pressure and pain, podiatrists can drill a tiny hole straight into the nail plate, allowing blood to flow from beneath the nail. After that, the region is cleaned, treated, and guidance on how to take care of the toe is given.

It is not advisable to attempt this treatment at home since it may worsen the nail bed and result in infections and other issues.

You need to get medical assistance if

• The agony is intolerable.
• A child or infant was injured.
• The bleeding is out of control.
• Any nail becomes black or discoloured, and there is a cut or laceration that
  damages the nail’s base without causing any harm.

After an accident, the skin beneath the nail usually heals in a few weeks. If the blood is not drained right away, it will dry up and leave a dark or black discolouration on the nail that must be removed. A subungual haemorrhage on the toenail may not completely heal for up to nine to twelve months.

However, if the nail bed sustains enough injury, the nail may regrow deformed or occasionally there may be little or no visable nail present.