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Suggest Treatment For Ripped And Swollen Nail

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Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014
Question: I ripped my nail off from the cuticle (where the half circle part usually is). The skin of my nail bed is now puffing up over the nail above it and it hurts quite a bit. Will this heal on it's own or should I see a doc? If it will heal, how will the spongy skin get covered back up? Does my whole nail need to be removed? What should I do???
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consult a Surgeon.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Is this of the finger or the toe?

The skin of the nail-bed is puffing as a normal reaction to the trauma and also due to an infection, which will cause pain too.
You should see a Doctor, preferably a Surgeon so that He / She can determine the extent, whether this is to be removed or can get cured withe the help of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines. You also get a correct like of treatment and the type of lotions / antibiotic ointment to be applied.

Once you get a correct treatment, the spongy skin will revert back to normal with time.

The whole nail is removed only if the detachment is near-complete and can be decided only on direct inspection.

Please consult a Surgeon ASAP to get the correct line of medicines / dressings / surgery..

I hope this helps you to get a proper treatment.
You may please rate this answer.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (19 minutes later)
This is my right thumb. This just happened less than 24 hours ago, and the puffiness seems to feel lime just a lot of inflaimation, not quite sure its an infection yet. I dont know of a surgeon i can see in a timely manner. Is there any chance whatsoever this could heal on its own? If so, how? I dont want the skin to continue to grow over the nail, but something similar happened to a toe nail (after dropping something on it) years ago. It healed up and now looks normal, but didnt quite have this immediate reaction.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please Treat as advised.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I could see the picture you have loaded with a similar another question.
This is the most odd injury one gets.
There is a ridge on the nail and laterally on the skin.
I can see the skin in the center only.
There is a chance that the nail is still attached to the germinal layer at the nail under the skin and may push the grown nail out with time. In this case here will be no need to pull out the nail.

I would advise you to apply a sterile dressing with liquid povidone iodine daily, take a course of prescription-based antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines from a Local Doctor, wait and watch the progress.

Yes, it is possible that this too may heal up the way the toe nail years ago.
How ? >> The body has a great healing potential, we only assist in healing. The skin may regress back to normal soon. This is just a 24 hours old injury with a reactionary edema.

I hope this helps you to get a proper treatment.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Ripped And Swollen Nail

Brief Answer: Consult a Surgeon. Detailed Answer: Hi. Is this of the finger or the toe? The skin of the nail-bed is puffing as a normal reaction to the trauma and also due to an infection, which will cause pain too. You should see a Doctor, preferably a Surgeon so that He / She can determine the extent, whether this is to be removed or can get cured withe the help of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines. You also get a correct like of treatment and the type of lotions / antibiotic ointment to be applied. Once you get a correct treatment, the spongy skin will revert back to normal with time. The whole nail is removed only if the detachment is near-complete and can be decided only on direct inspection. Please consult a Surgeon ASAP to get the correct line of medicines / dressings / surgery.. I hope this helps you to get a proper treatment. You may please rate this answer.