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Suggest Treatment For Ripped Nail From Cuticle
Posted on
Thu, 11 Sep 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 11 Sep 2014
Answered on
Mon, 6 Oct 2014
Last reviewed on
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? I really dont want to have to go in anywhere. What should I do???
Brief Answer:
Give it time to heal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms XXXX,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have seen the attached picture, the nail is still attached, that means there are good chances for the nail to grow back.
The soft, spongy part is the root of the nail, and that is where the nail forms, since you pulled out the nail only 24 hours ago, there will be associated inflammation for some time.
Give it time to heal, as the top layers dry off, the new nail will start forming and that will push the part of nail that is still attached slowly.
You only need to take care to avoid infection. You can do that by applying a bandage after cleaning the wound with liquid iodine solution.
A consultation with a surgeon will also be helpful as the surgeon can prescribe you antibiotics if necessary and also pain killers.
Motrin will help reduce pain.
Keep the wound dry, do not let it get wet.
Hope this helps you.
Kind regards,
Give it time to heal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms XXXX,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have seen the attached picture, the nail is still attached, that means there are good chances for the nail to grow back.
The soft, spongy part is the root of the nail, and that is where the nail forms, since you pulled out the nail only 24 hours ago, there will be associated inflammation for some time.
Give it time to heal, as the top layers dry off, the new nail will start forming and that will push the part of nail that is still attached slowly.
You only need to take care to avoid infection. You can do that by applying a bandage after cleaning the wound with liquid iodine solution.
A consultation with a surgeon will also be helpful as the surgeon can prescribe you antibiotics if necessary and also pain killers.
Motrin will help reduce pain.
Keep the wound dry, do not let it get wet.
Hope this helps you.
Kind regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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