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Suggest Treatment For Nail Injury

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Posted on Mon, 8 Dec 2014
Question: My son smashed his nail. Does this need drained or can it heal on its own? I was worried about blood clots. He's not complaining about it or crying. Only hurts to touch it. Thanks!
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Answered by Dr. M Y Shareef (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Conservative intially, might intervene if need be.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Bedavis ! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef, a general surgeon answering your query.

I saw the picture of the injured toe. If I were your doctor, with no pain as such, I would wait and see if the collection of blood gets absorbed of its own. I might consider some anti inflammatory drug if there was pain. In case the child complains of increasing pain and discomfort, I of course would plan for drainage of the collected blood by a needle puncture under strict aseptic technique to avoid any infection afterwards. The nail might get dislodged after wards of its own, and a new nail might come up in that place gradually. At the same time, I would apply some kind of protective dressing to the affected toe to avoid repeated trauma to the same nail.

I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your son's problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your family health problems. I wish your son an early recovery. Dr Shareef.

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. M Y Shareef

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1979

Answered : 2457 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Nail Injury

Brief Answer: Conservative intially, might intervene if need be. Detailed Answer: Hi Bedavis ! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef, a general surgeon answering your query. I saw the picture of the injured toe. If I were your doctor, with no pain as such, I would wait and see if the collection of blood gets absorbed of its own. I might consider some anti inflammatory drug if there was pain. In case the child complains of increasing pain and discomfort, I of course would plan for drainage of the collected blood by a needle puncture under strict aseptic technique to avoid any infection afterwards. The nail might get dislodged after wards of its own, and a new nail might come up in that place gradually. At the same time, I would apply some kind of protective dressing to the affected toe to avoid repeated trauma to the same nail. I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your son's problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your family health problems. I wish your son an early recovery. Dr Shareef.