You’re probably familiar with that initial shock of pain, followed by a dull throb and the curious sight of a black fingernail. That’s because finger-in-the-door episodes are all too common, especially among feisty and energetic children. Most of the time, when a finger gets caught in a door, the extent of the injury consists of some swelling and bruising of the soft tissue and underlying bones.
Immediately after the trauma occurs, you should soak the smashed finger in cold water and take some acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce the pain and swelling. As you take these steps, assess the injury to determine whether you need to consult with a healthcare practitioner. Signs to look out for include:
- An inability to bend or straighten the finger easily
- An open wound that might require stitches
- A visible tear in the nail that extends to the underlying or surrounding skin
- Painful throbbing from blood collecting under the nail (subungual hematoma)
In the case of a subungual hematoma, a provider can sometimes pierce the nail to relieve the pressure. While this procedure might sound a little scary, it is simple and straightforward, and most patients feel minimal discomfort during it and experience great relief afterward.
If you believe you might have a broken bone, you should see a doctor right away. Fractures from this type of injury, though fairly uncommon, do require special treatment. You might suspect a fracture based on the appearance of the finger, lack of mobility, or persistent pain.
Sometimes, a damaged nail will fall off within days or weeks after the trauma. In the majority of patients, the nail grows back with very good results. On average, a fingernail grows at a rate of 1 mm per week, so complete regrowth of a new nail takes about four months. In the meantime, you should keep the nail trimmed to avoid having it catch and tear, and be sure to keep it clean and be vigilant for signs of infection, which include increasing pain, swelling, and redness.
For more health and safety tips, please consult our online series of articles, or feel free to stop by South Tampa Immediate Care. Our walk-in clinic is conveniently located on South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL, and we welcome patients from Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding Florida areas.
