Funky Nail or Serious Problem?

• Underneath the nail

• Swelling
• Redness
• Bleeding
• Throbbing
• Pain
• Nail appears blue, black, or purple

• Microtrauma/Trauma
• Stub toe
• Getting stepped on
• Kicked something

• Laceration
• Fracture
• Damage to nail
• Infection

• Observation: rest, ice, compress, elevate (RICE)
• Trephination (poke holes in nail to relieve pressure)
• Partial Nail Avulsion (remove part of the nail)
• Total Nail Avulsion (remove all of the nail)

• Hand Injury: Plastic Surgeon
• Foot Injury: Podiatrist

Patel, Lina. 2014. “Management of Simple Nail Bed Lacerations and Subungual Hematomas in the Emergency Department.” Pediatric Emergency Care 30 (10): 742–45; quiz 746–48.