Treating Smashed Fingers

Smashed fingers & toes are common & memorable events. Some nails re-grow beautifully while others are permanently misshapen.

Dr. Greene’s Answer:

Slam! Smash! Slam! I vividly remember three separate finger-in-the-door episodes from my childhood. In one instance I was the culprit, inadvertently slamming a door on my friend Fernando’s finger. Twice I was the “smashee” – once with my finger caught in the door of my parents’ Chevy Nova and once in my own bedroom door.

It’s not hard to recall the shock of pain, the subsequent dull throbbing, the curious sight of the nail later falling off, and the fascination of a new, healthy nail replacing the old one. I wish the sequence could go that smoothly for all children. It doesn’t.

In the great flurry of childhood activity (don’t you wish you had some of their energy?), smashed fingers and toes are common and memorable events. Whether trapped in doors, banged by hammers, or hit by bricks, some nails re-grow beautifully while others are permanently misshapen.

With most of these accidents, swelling and bruising of the soft tissues and underlying bones are the only injuries.

Treating Smashed Fingers at Home

Soaking the finger or toe in cold water immediately after the trauma can reduce both pain and swelling. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen administered right away can also help prevent some of the pain. While taking care of these things (and administering a few hugs and kisses for good measure), you can decide whether or not your child needs to see a doctor.

When to see a Doctor for Smashed Fingers

  • Blood collects under the nail, causing increasing pain.
  • The finger or toe can’t be straightened and bent easily.
  • The injury causes immediate damage to the nail, such as a visible tear below the “quick”.
  • The skin is open and may need stitches.
  • There is dirt in the wound you can’t wash out.

Sometimes blood collects under the nail — what we call a subungual hematoma. When handled properly, this does not increase or decrease the odds of the nail healing well. If enough blood is trapped to cause painful throbbing, the nail should be evaluated.

Should Your Doctor Pierce the Nail?

Often the physician will pierce the nail to relieve the pressure. The physician might use a red-hot paper clip, an 18-gauge needle, or an electrocautery machine. While the procedure sounds gruesome (and looks dramatic when the blood starts to spurt from the hole), most children feel great relief and no discomfort. The hot tool glides through the nail like butter.

Fractures of the bone in the fingertip are not common with this type of injury, but need special treatment if they are present. They are considered open fractures (as if the bone had come through the skin) and require treatment with antibiotics. You might suspect a fracture from the force of the blow, the appearance of the finger or toe, a lack of mobility, or persistent pain for more than three days.

Will the Nail Fall Off?

As happened with your daughter, the nail will sometimes fall off days or weeks after the injury. What happens when the nail falls off? One group of investigators found that the nail grew back with excellent or very good results in 85% of those studied, with poor results in only 2%. Sometimes the new nail will look different from the original nail no matter what has been done to treat it. But, if the nail is visibly torn at the time of injury, the nail bed might need stitches. Suturing a nail bed that has been torn can dramatically increase the odds of the nail healing well.

The new fingernail will grow at an average of 1 mm per week (0.5-1.2 mm). Toenails grow at one-third to one-half this rate. Overall, four months is the average time for complete re-growth of a fingernail. Re-growth of a nail in a toddler or preschooler may only take a month or two.

In the meantime, you have done well to keep the nail remnant trimmed to avoid it catching and tearing. Be sure to keep it clean. Exposing it to the air is good, but when your daughter is playing where she might get the nail bed dirty, cover it with a lightweight bandage (perhaps with a little Betadine). See the doctor if there is any sign of infection (redness, pus, swelling, or increasing pain). While your daughter’s finger is healing, get some pictures of the process. These will help to recall the event and to marvel over the way our bodies heal.

If you have further questions about treating a smashed finger or toe, feel free to leave a comment below.

Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.

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  1. Jennifer A

    My husband’s nail fell off after an accident at work. The bottom of his nail fell off first, whereas the tip took a bit longer. He had to continuously trim the top and it grew, until the remaining nail eventually fell off.
    Now his nail is growing back, but it is growing into the sides of his fingertip. He says it’s really painful but we don’t know what to do. Please help! Thank you in advance.

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    • Hi Jennifer,

      Sounds like it’s time to talk to a doctor. If it was a work-related accident the medical costs should be completely covered.

      I hope that helps.
      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

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  2. Destiny

    My son(3&1/2) got his finger stuck in the back of the bathroom door when I was shutting it from the other side. It ended up ripping his entire nail out and part of his cuticle. . The doctor removed it completely. Cleaned it up and said (in surprise) that she didn’t have to do any repairs on the nail bed. She then cleaned the nail and stuck it back under the skin and stitched it there with 2 stitches on either side of it. I am feeling like the worst mom ever, and am fearing that a new nail won’t grow back. Is there a chance that the nail matrix didn’t get damaged if the nail bed didn’t? But since there is part of his cuticle gone, could there be a chance thats where the door shut on it, and could have possibly put damage on the matrix. Please give me some positive in this. I’m praying to God a new one grows back. They want to take the stitches out @ 7 days.

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    • Hi Destiny,

      I’m not a doctor so I can’t answer your key question, however I can tell you I did the exact same thing. I closed my son’s finger in the back hinge of a door. I was so stressed I rushed him to the ER. For him, the nail didn’t come off from this, but I was afraid the bone was broken. He was in pain but it wasn’t broken and he forgave me.

      In highschool, he had an accident in his robotics class and tore off his fingernail. Again, a rushed trip to the (same) ER. The nail looked destroyed, but it grew back in just fine. Fingers crossed your son will have the same outcome.

      I hope that helps.
      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

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  3. Crystal

    Almost two weeks ago I smashed the tip of my thumb at work. It swelled up and turned black and purple immediately but now the swelling is gone and the color is back to normal the bottom part of my thumb nail where my cuticle is has turned white and I had several people tell me that it’s more than likely gonna fall off And thumb is still painful when anything hits it and sore when there’s pressure on my thumb nail

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  4. Susan

    Mid March 2020 I closed my heavy car door on my right, of course, index finger. I immediately iced it and did so for several days following. The nail feels very sore still, 4 months later. There is blood under the nail and it has grown about 1/2″. I believe there is nerve damage and a doc told me I broke a bone as well. He said it would grow back. I’ve not cut the nail since it is very sore and I fear the nail may tear off. It appears to have grown about 1/4″ . I keep a bandaid on it to secure it and keep it clean. How long will it take for this nail to recover? My first joint up from the nail is unable to bend. It is also a bit swollen still and extremely sensitive.
    Thank you for your time and help.

    Added:
    • Ouch, Susan. That sounds like it really hurt.

      The amount of time and the extent of the recovery will really depend on how badly you injured your finger. Did you have Xrays at the time? If not, it may be time to see a hand specialist.

      Several years ago I injured my toe. I went to my doctor and she taped it, but it hurt like crazy. Six weeks later it still hurt so she sent me for an Xray. Turns out it was broken so I wound up at a foot specialist who put me in “special” shoes (totally ugly, but really helped me to heal). You may need something similar to get from here to there and back in the driver’s seat.

      BBest, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

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  5. Laila

    I got my nail smashed on Valentine’s Day and it has been bruised since then and now it’s the end a April and the nail is just bruised in a corner of my middle finger but now it’s beginning to fall off and a don’t know what to do about that? Do I put a bandage on my finger after it fall of and what do I do to protect it cause I’m 11 years old and I don’t know what to do..

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  6. sierra

    I smashed my finger and my moms “All metal” Car, It hurts a lot, I put ice on it. Ive been sleeping with ice. I took some ibuprofen. the blood under the nail is turning purple, blue greenish. What should i do!

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    • Sierra,

      Ouch! I remember that feeling so well. Ice and ibuprofen should help. Has the swelling gone down yet? Is there pressure under the nail from the blood collection?

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

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  7. NABRIAR FARLEY

    how do you get the nail off

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  8. Stephen

    Background:
    About a month ago, I caught the top section of my right index finger in a car door.
    Needed two stitches. Has healed well.

    I still have some numbness – it feels like the sensation you have when you have a blister – numb and puffy, can feel the pressure moving around when I push on it. I was wondering if that could mean there is fluid build up inside the finger? And, if so, is there a way to help the finger get rid of the excess fluid? Soaking, massaging, etc?
    I don’t think lancing would be an option because 1) I’m not sure there is fluid, 2) Infection risk, 3) I think it is too deep.

    Thoughts?

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  9. Dev

    Day before yesterday I Caught my index finger in a door.I have little bit pain in Distal phalanx area bone but I move and band properly.So what should I do now. It’s that broken or not.

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  10. Kylee

    I smashed my finger in my locker at school and it really hurts. It turned purple a little bit then saw the school nurse and she gave me an ice pack. Yesterday I smashed it and it really really hurts what do I do? I can bend it somewhat, but it will hurt to do it.

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  11. Nyere

    My fingertip was smashed in the car door and my nail is fine, the next day the skin around my nail was yellow and was bleeding a tiny bit but my nail is not cracked at all.

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  12. david

    what exercises can I do on my hand since I smashed it on a folding table , and the numbness wont go away …….its been about a week or so since it happen or will I feel numbness on my finger for ever…..please help!

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  13. Gigi Nguyen

    My finger got smashed in the car door approximately 2 weeks ago. There was blood under the nail and it’s 100% of my nail, but the nurse didn’t puncture a hole or remove my nail. It is not as painful now, but day by day, the side of my nail curve down and stab my finger tip. I can see that the nail is like shrinking and it keep digging into my skin. It is painful and irritating. I can only trim it a little bit but not a lot because it’s painful when the nail gets lifted up. What should I do?

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  14. Jeffrey Travis

    I smashed my middle finger with a 15 pound bowling ball last Thursday. I immediately put ice on it. I can bend the finger with pain. Should I continue to ice it or add heat or both?

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  15. Liam

    I’m 14 and I just smashed my finger in the car door about an hour ago, as far as I can see & feel, there is no sign of fracture, but there was a whole lot of swelling and bruising. It’s been 2 hours since the incident and the swelling has gone down a bit but the stiffness & partial numbness is still there. I can move my thumb, but not with much pressure. Should I see a doctor?

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  16. Angelika

    HELP! I was just out doing yard work with my family and when placing a large piece of wood down, I almost dropped it. As I went to catch it, my finger got slammed in-between 2 pieces of wood. Feeling the immediate pain, I grabbed my finger and held it for quite some time. When I looked at it, I saw blood underneath the nail and I touched it. I could tell I ripped half the nail off of my finger. I am assuming that it will fall off…right? Also, It doesn’t help that I just recently got my nails done, with acrylic tips so I can’t really see my actual nail, just the fake one. My finger is throbbing. I took some Advil just now and I was soaking it in cold water. Is there anything else I should do?

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    • GiGi

      What happened? I had the wind blow my car door shut on my finger the days ago. I have fake nails kike from the drugstore glued on and the emergency room I can went to was horrible. They didn’t even properly exam me, didn’t clean my finger at all, didn’t give me ice or even ibuprofen. Too x-rays gave me a tetanus booster and sent me packing pretty much. My fingers better but there’s a lot of swelling around my nail and I think I can see a cut near the under side of the nail. I’m afraid to try and remove the fake nail but sometime today Saturday it looks infected and that I need to clean it with peroxide or I’ll end up having it cleaned at the hospital.

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  17. Grayson

    I hate smashing my thumb in the car door

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  18. Linda

    My husband hit his middle finger with a hammer back on April 13, 2018. He has a hole in the middle of the nail and a long crack. The hole is from when I pierced a hole to relieve the pressure. I have been cleaning it. I put neosporin and gave him advil for the pain. He has no pain, but when he takes a shower the soap burns by the nail. The new nail is coming out and still the hole is exposed. What other medication or cream could I use on his finger.

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  19. Carolyn

    enjoyed your site. Smashed my right ringer finger between bag of magazines and the steel side of container I was putting them in. :>(. Pain is lessening now as I soaked in alcohol, put on cold compress and rubbed some “rescue” remedy on it. However, first phalange is tender and seems to have a bump at beginning of second phalange. I’m using it to try and keep it mobile and usable. Most of pain is in first phalange and there’s a tiny blue spot underneath nail a little way down from cuticle.

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  20. Alanna

    Okay so when I was 6 years old my middle finger was slammed in a car door with the nail turning a yellowish color… 11 years later a new nail has not returned. It’s still the same brown, yellow and red nail with fungus underneath? It grows like a regular nail and I still trim, but will a new nail ever come? Will this nail fall off?

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  21. Robert Henderson

    I literally closed my right hand index finger in my driver door exiting the car. Hurt bad at first. Next day no pain. BUT. I’m noticing now that my finger is Cold from the middle joint to the tip. Its driving me crazy. Can anyone tell me what to do with this..?

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  22. Charlie smith

    I smashed my finger nail a week ago and the swelling hasn’t gone down, it still hurts, and the bruising has covered my whole finger nail. What should I do? If I get it drained will the finger nail come off?

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  23. I'd rather not share my name

    I recently smashed my finger in the door (yesterday, about 9:10 in the morning) when I was playfully trying to not let my friends in the classroom (class had not yet started). It was my whole body weight against my finger (I weigh about 108 pounds). It turned blue, but just my nail is blue. It is now a lighter blue and it still throbs a little, and feels weird when I touch it or it touches something. I can’t use it, but I can bend and straighten it, just not in half. It is also hot and feels sensitive to cold things.

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  24. Dashia

    i just got my fingers slammed in the trunk of our car it did not hit the knuckles but it did leve a small hole in my finder and ive been icing it and icing it but i cant move it stright or out of the postition i moved my hand in when it got hurt. It has been a day not and the swelling has gone down but not by much should i got to the doctor?

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    • Dylan Cowley

      my suggestion would be go see a doctor the longer u wait the worser it will get

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      • Daya DiBernardinis

        Thankfully i did and. My bone is damaged pretty bad but i was able to heal after a while

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  25. Jenny

    Hi, I Smashed my thumb from my left hand two days after thanksgiving. Which has been 1 month and two weeks and my nail still hasn’t fallen off.. it’s black for starters but just from the left sode of my thumb and then it has a shape of a little hill and it grows more than my other nails. I’m wondering will it fall off? Is it fixing itself? And putting nail polish will it do anything to it?

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  26. Kim

    My nail was traumatized a few years ago and most of my nail came off. It is finally growing back in because I was told to keep it dry. So I started using finger cots while washing dishes and showering. They were extremely helpful. Now the nail tip is almost to the edge of my fingertip, however, it is growing downward into the fingertip rather than growing straight out. Is there a way that I can help it grow out rather than into my fingertip? It just needs to get over the edge.

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  27. Liz

    Hello. I’ve been through the recovery process of a pretty bad thumb jam in the car door, my nail is slowly growing back now, it’s about a third of the way there, although growing back quite ‘thick’. My question is are fake nails (acrylics) going to affect the growing process?

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  28. Jane

    Hello so I smashed my thumb from my knuckle up and there was bleeding from the bottom of my nail externally as well as bleeding that clotted under my nail causing pressure. So my question is what happens if you do not get the clot under the nail removed? Can you just Let It Go and Let It Be? Especially because with mine all the blood is pooled at the bottom of my nail about the bottom half and there’s still slight swelling and pressure above my knuckle. Thanks~

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  29. Margot

    Hi! Yesterday I smashed my fingertip in car door , it hurts a little but it feels so numb, is this symptom normal? Thank you.

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  30. Ezinne

    The gate smashed my thumb nail and is almost a month now can’t see any re-growth of nail, I can see my flesh and the old nail haven’t falling off , is anything wrong with it me ,am scared

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  31. Myriam

    My mom got her ring finger smashed in her car door she can’t drive because her finger can’t bend can yo give me suggestions on what she can do? Please and thank you

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  32. Tod Bedrosian

    About a week ago I got my right index finger tip caught between some weights. Hurt, but I finished my workout. The swollen finger turned a purplish-bluish down to the second joint almost immediately with moderate pain. I iced it and within days the swelling and pain went away — Except — the tip of the finger still has about a level one (little) pain. The nail is not discolored, but is sensitive (level one) to pressing touch. Will this pain eventually go away?
    I can move and use the finger with no problem. But, I am concerned about a fracture in the tip of my finger, or permanent nerve damage. Am I just being a big weight-lifting baby?

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    • vee

      how can I see your replies, please?

      Added:
  33. Hurting

    About three weeks ago I jammed my thumb nail. It started with a thin white vertical line, which has since widened. The tip of my thumb is now protruding. The pain is horrible and unending. Swollen and burning. I am almost done with the antibiotics but it feels like pressure. So painful. Any advice appreciated.

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  34. Remington G

    Hello,

    My finger nail got smashed in my car door about 3-4 weeks ago. It appears only half the nail died and where the half died it has detached but still attached where it does not appear to be dead. I am lost at what to do for the part that is still attached. I have no pain day in and day out, but it does hurt if I try to lift up where it appears to still be alive and attached which is at the bottom 30% of my finger nail closer to the tip of my finger. I do not have health insurance at this time and can not afford to go see a doctor to have it surgically removed. Is there any recommendations please?

    Added:
    • Courtney

      Soak it in warm water, hopefully it will soften up the skin around it and will be less painful during detachment? Just a thought..Hope this helps! Good luck!

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  35. Peanut Butter

    Last week, I banged my thumb into a door, because I was trying to shut it. I felt immediate pain and it hurt for the next two days. The bruise was healing perfectly, getting lighter, but all of a sudden I feel the nail loosening. So I wrapped it up. After two days, the nail started turning darker, blacker, scarier. Should i be worried? Things were going so well, its getting a bit worse. What does this mean?

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  36. Prachi

    I accidentally got my finger smashed by the bathroom door day before yesterday. The upper part of my finger got swollen,my nail turned blue black and it had cuts all over which were bleeding. My mother immediately treated it by applying turmeric and that night it was paining alot so I took a pain killer . The next day however it wasn’t paining that much but when I touched something it again stimulated pain in my finger. Today the sides of my finger too have turned blue black and the skin below my nail too has swollen. I have an exam to write this Friday . Can I please get a quick remedy.

    Added:
    • Hi Prachi,

      Thanks so much for writing! I’m sorry to hear about your finger, that sounds painful.

      As Dr. Greene writes, “Soaking the finger or toe in cold water… can reduce both pain and swelling. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen… can also help prevent some of the pain… Sometimes blood collects under the nail — what we call a subungual hematoma. When handled properly, this does not increase or decrease the odds of the nail healing well. If enough blood is trapped to cause painful throbbing, the nail should be evaluated.”

      Hope that helps,
      Alexandra (caring helper at DrGreene.com, not a doctor)

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  37. My Finger

    I my smashed my finger in the door, at a store,and only the bottom of it came off and now the top of it is about to come off and it has a little of blue on the edge. Should I do something????

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  38. Anna

    I crushed my left ring finger at work last week, basically squeezed it very hard. Immediately after doing it, my finger was visibly smashed looking, but there was no broken skin, and I could bend and move it. It swelled pretty dramatically, and was painful for a few days. Now it itches, and I noticed that it is warm to the touch. There is a bruise under the nail, red not black, and a corresponding reddish bruise on the pad. Is there anything I should be concerned about? I have no medical insurance, so did not see a dr, I am just concerned about the itching and warmth. Is this just healing, or could I have a problem? Thank you for your time and attention

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  39. Olka

    content://media/external/file/2954
    I hope u can see the picture. But this is how it looks after my daughter smashed her right thumb with the bedroom door really hard.
    In case that you don’t see the picture; a white yucky thing came out of the root of her thumb. We treated lt with ice cold water and more ice. Then antibioticts cream last night. Still dont know whatelse to do. Can can’t bend it. It is hatd and ahe said it is hot on her finger. She barely can move it. But she said that ahw is better. Ahe is u years old. What should I do? I am Clueless!

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    • Olka,

      I can not see the photo, but your description will suffice.

      The biggest concern with a smashed finger that can’t be bent is the possibility of a broken bone, or worse, a broken joint. If she were my daughter, I would take to the doctor. She will likely need an x-ray. Of note, when my son had a smashed finger from a closing door, I took him to the ER. It wasn’t broken and he was fine, but I didn’t want to run the risk.

      I hope that helps.
      @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

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  40. Niambi Hunt

    Hey doctor,
    A few months ago I slammed my finger in the car door and my whole nail turned blackish-red from the blood filling it. I’ve been letting it grow out but I got fake nails a few weeks ago (beginning of January)that I took off recently. When I took them off the nail had grew some but there was a little hole in the nail from where they filed my actual nail. Today the bottom of the hole came off so now it’s a big hole from my cuticle to the middle of my nail. Underneath it is clear and seems to be another nail(it’s hard so it’s not the meat under the nail) where blood is inbetween it and the nail on top. Is it okay for me to take it off? It’s pretty much coming off itself but I’m nervous that closer to the top of my nail the meat will be exposed if it comes off. Is there a way I can send you a picture I feel like my explanation is kind of hard to understand. Please respond thanks!!

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  41. Reetesh

    Hi doctor,

    my 22 months old baby (boy)got his finger crushed under the door ,
    we are so worried as he got his nail almost detached from the finger.We took him to the doctor who told us to go for an x-ray,we did the same and x-ray was fine i.e. no bone injury.then he asked us to do daily dressing
    my questions are:
    1- baby screams incredibly while dressing as nail is half attached to the skin n everytime bandage stuck to the wound so can we ask for any pain killer or make finger numb.
    2-how long it will take to regrow a nail completely in toddlers.
    3-when can we remove this partially attached n remaining nail.
    4-baby is getting fever also

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    • Reetesh,

      Oh, how hard! I’m so sorry.

      Unfortunately, I can’t answer most of your questions, but I can tell you that if your child is running a fever, it’s time to call his doctor again as this might be a sign of an infection (depending on how high the fever is). When you call, ask the other questions. I’m sure your doctor will want to help.

      It is wise to have all your blood retested. It’s not uncommon for blood types to be different than they are thought.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

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  42. Tina

    My 16 year old daughter was bringing our garbage cans down to the curb, when she slipped on a patch of black ice, and our large garbage can came down and landed on her right middle finger, and her ring finger. It swelled up a little bit, but she can’t straighten it or hold a pencil with it. There seems to be no bruising, she says it hurts really bad and she can’t feel the tip of her finger.. What would it be, she has been researching possible conclusions, but she always finds the worse case. Please help.

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    • Tina,

      Researching on the internet often leads to the worse case scenario. A friend of ours says, “A headache is just four clicks from a brain tumor”.

      This may well be a “normal” (if slipping on black ice and smashing your fingers is normal!) smashed finger. But it could be broken and would need treatment to heal properly. For that reason, taking her to see her doctor would be wise.

      I hope that helps.
      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

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  43. Ronald

    Hey Dr. my daughters finger was smashed last night by the door when she was playing with me and her siblings. The way the door caught her finger pulled the nail right off. We gave ibuprofen and tried to treat it. Today her bursted from the swelling should I take her in to the ER or is the common? I took some pictures but I’m unable to upload doesn’t give me the option. She’s acting as if nothing is wrong with her finger should we wrap it? I’m kind of lost on what to do…. thanks in advance

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    • Hi Ronald,
      Thanks for writing in! I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s fingers.

      Dr. Greene’s advice on when to see your doctor for smashed fingers is if:
      “Blood collects under the nail, causing increasing pain.
      The finger or toe can’t be straightened and bent easily.
      The injury causes immediate damage to the nail, such as a visible tear below the “quick”.
      The skin is open and may need stitches.
      There is dirt in the wound you can’t wash out.”

      Hope that helps!
      Alexandra (caring helper at drgreene.com, not a doctor)

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    • Nancy Hurlock

      Hi Ronald , just wanted to ask you what happened with your daughter? You take her to the doctor after all and if so what did he say? My son got he’s finger nail ripped off while riding he’s dirt bike over the weekend and he said it dosent hurt but the nail bed is exposed and he’s acting like everything is Ok?

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  44. Arati Agnihotri

    About 2 weeks back my 6yr old slammed his finger in the car door. He was immediately addressed to the school nurse. She gave some ice pack and Tylenol. The pain was gone in about 3 days. But there is still the blackish blue mark in his nail. Does it needs to be punctured to get the blood out?

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    • Hi Arati,
      Thanks so much for writing in! I’m sorry to hear about your son’s finger getting slammed in the car door. Great to hear that the pain is gone!

      As for the blackish blue mark, here is what Dr. Greene’s post says:
      “Sometimes blood collects under the nail — what we call a subungual hematoma. When handled properly, this does not increase or decrease the odds of the nail healing well. If enough blood is trapped to cause painful throbbing, the nail should be evaluated.”

      I hope that helps! Best wishes,
      Alexandra (caring helper at drgreene.com, but not a doctor)

      Added:
  45. Daniel

    I was playing baseball in a minor league and the pitcher threw the ball wild and it smashed my finger against the bat its been 1 month and a half and the front of my nail has a jagged pattern of blood and its like black and from the middle of the nail and back is just red all the blood what fo i do??

    Added:
  46. Hafsa

    My niece hands got in a car door we immediately did icing and did the icing for about 3 hours its been 4 days and its still blue and also the skin beneath the nails is getting blue and also is still swollen we applied a cream suggested by a doctor now should we go for an xray or we should wait?”Plz reply me

    Added:
  47. Dwight

    Yesterday I smashed my index finger and middle finger into the car door. While the middle finger has gotten better compared to the index, it still has blood spots underneath the skin. The index finger is really messy, the skin was ripped up from half way of the first bend in the finger all the way to the nail. It’s been a full day and the nail is almost complete black. It still bleed from time to time, and the pain can some times be unbearable. What should I do?!?!

    Added:
  48. Danielle

    I hit my fingernail on something, but I don’t know what. The nail turned largely white, and in the shower today it began to peel off. The finger is purple underneath and it hurts to move the finger because I can feel it in the nail. The last time this happened my older brother had run over my little toe with his chair (that he was sitting in). The nail bled for a few days last time and that was 6 months ago. It also fell off. I am worried because of two things. One, the new toenail is bleeding on and off, and two, my parents are telling me my nail will fall off and I don’t want to lose a nail. Will it really fall off? Is the bleeding of the little nail normal? I read the ice part, but my parents told me they will not get my any ice, so I can just wait until it doesn’t hurt anymore. I am younger than 15 and older than 10. I am pretty healthy.

    Added:
    • Jessica

      Why the heck won’t your parents get you ice once they saw your nail fell off? And if they don’t give u ice, freeze some your selve!! Are you parents(not trying to be rude) stupid??? What, do they know nothing about health care??

      Added:
    • Guy

      Ice isn’t absolutely necessary, but is a highly recommended pain moderator. You should really get your parents to at least contact your doctor and inform them of your situation.

      Added:
  49. Tyler

    My finger was hurt at work while getting pumpkins out of a pallet container I was going fast and the finger went straight into a pumpkin and got a toothpick like pumpkin skin under the nail. I pulled it out and they sent me to urgent care, the doctors diagnosed it as cellulitis and paronchia (spelled wrong I believe) for over two months. They did an I&D because the swelling wasn’t getting better and last week took the nail off because the pressure wasn’t better. It’s been almost a week and under the nail looks a lot better however there is still swelling around the distal part of finger below where the nail would be. Will the swelling go away soon? It doesn’t look red, just lifted. And x-rays all came back negative for anything as far as bone infection or fracture or anything possibly still there. All that was negative. So I’m hoping the swelling will go away?

    Added:
  50. J. Geran

    I closed and auto locked my car door on the upper quadrant of my thumb a week and a half ago. Had an X-ray to find it is not broken.
    I have very little feeling in the upper part of my thumb. It is numb.
    Is there anything I can do i.e. exercises that could help regain feeling.

    Added:
  51. Stephanie Daisy

    My thumb were smashed against the car’s door. Apparently, thumb seems “exploding” and blood were running out of the root part of the finger. My mom decided to wrap my thumb tightly. My thumb is now throbbing and somehow changed to pale – like really really pale with a blueish tint to it. Ehat should I do.

    Added:
    • Stephanie,

      That sounds like it’s wrapped too tightly. I’d suggest wrapping it with less tension. If it continues to bleed, time for to see a doctor.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
    • Bridget M Lewis

      What ever happen to ur thumb u slammed in the car door i just did the same thing i just wrapped it up tight i think the tip of my thumb is just about off but it throbs so bad can t slerp

      Added:
  52. Dooooo pool

    I’m little sister slam the door on my pinky of the nail and it was so much pressure it started to bleed from the back and a day later it’s bruised and I can’t feel anything😩😢

    Added:
  53. kenya montante

    I was cleaning my garden an i am very stuborn so i tryed to move a big rock an while i was moving it it went the wrong way an i tryed catching it for some reason an it smashed my finger now my nail is red an purple but the skin on the other side is swollen black an is the size of a grape what can i do to relive the swelling an the pain i cant touch anything with out it hurting

    Added:
  54. fingerreallyhurts

    I was closing the door and I smashed my finger. It really hurts. My friend say it will fall off. What do I do? I don’t want it to fall off

    Added:
    • Hey Finger Really Hurts,

      Dr. Greene says, “Soaking the finger or toe in cold water immediately after the trauma can reduce both pain and swelling. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen administered right away can also help prevent some of the pain.”

      See a Doctor for Smashed Fingers When
      – Blood collects under the nail, causing increasing pain.
      – The finger or toe can’t be straightened and bent easily.
      – The injury causes immediate damage to the nail, such as a visible tear below the “quick”.
      – The skin is open and may need stitches.
      – There is dirt in the wound you can’t wash out.

      The severity of the injury will determine if the nail will fall off or not.

      I hope that’s helpful, @MsGreene
      Note: I answer a lot of questions on DrGreene.com, I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, Dr. Greene’s business partner and wife, but I am a not doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
      • chloe

        Smashed my finger in old terraced house windows they slide down and my nail and tip finger squashed flat nail won’t stop bleeding in so much what do I do I’m scared???!!!!

        Added:
        • Chloe,

          If you apply pressure on a wound and it won’t stop bleeding, it’s time to get help. On a weekend, that typically means a trip to the ER.

          Sorry and hope you get this taken care of ASAP.

          Best, @MsGreene
          Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

          Added:
  55. Wendy

    About 5 months ago I tripped over a big rock and smashed half of my big toe. It immediately turned black and hurt for a day, but then besides the ugly half of my toe it seemed fine. Well last night I noticed the black half of my toe has lifted from the nail bed. It didn’t hurt, I just felt it with my other foot in bed and thought my nail polish was peeling off. Upon further inspection I noticed it wasn’t only the polish, but half of the nail as well. Why did it take so long to fall off? Also, the undamaged part of my nail wants to stay put, so what do I do? Do I cut off the damaged part? For now I got freaked out and put a touch of super glue on it so it doesn’t tear. Help!

    Added:
  56. Anon

    Here is what happened. I was closing a garage door, for some reason my pinky got in the way and I couldn’t get it out (even the door couldn’t open, some weird stuff haha). I was able to get it out, today I was cleaning like the tip of the nail (which was covered in dry blood (I think) ) while cleaning I accidentally pinched it and a lot of blood came out. The nail went from like purple/black, to it’s normal color. But what worries me is that one part of the tip of the finger is sort of numb, should I let it heal with ice, or go to the doctor for an x ray? Although I don’t think it’s broken

    Added:
  57. Rossel Allen

    I closed a door in my finger today. my nail is a dark purple/ black how do I know if it’s a bruise or blood? And what should I do?

    Added:
    • Makenzie klerks

      A bruise is blood. Just trapped under the skin.

      Added:
  58. jorden

    I smashed my finger in between a tree and a 60 pound ceramic bucket and I got a giant gash on it and my whole fingernail has turned black what should I do???

    Added:
    • Matt

      Just happened to me only with a couch and heavy door. It’s been a couple days now so if it’s gotten worse go see a doctor worst that could happen is you pay a small copay to be told something you already know. But you dont want it to get infected so just get it looked at. Nails going to fall off though. Doesnt hurt and grows back just an ugly looking process

      Added:
  59. Ashantee

    Ive smash my finger when i was about five years old and its still fat untill this day and it looks like its deformed do u think it can go back to normal?.. Can u help me im ashamed of my huge finger its really big and my nail is expanded also please send me tips

    Added:
  60. Gaspar

    My sister closed the door on my finger and the end of it turned purple!

    Added:
  61. Zalory Ang

    Dr. Greene

    I smashed my finger 2 months ago. And the black thing are still there. So when I placed a needle inside my nail it created a hole in it. And then the hole just got bigger and bigger what should I do

    Added:
    • Morgan white

      When I was 13 my hand got slammed in a door and my whole thumb turnt black after a couple days or so first it was swell g then put ice in it but the black been coming off it but it’s takeing along time though it been on here for 5 months

      Added:
  62. Michelle Icenhour

    My fiancé slammed his finger at home last week, and now the bottom of his nail where he got hit is turing green. Is this normal?

    Added:
  63. jennifer

    A little over a week ago, I smashed my thumb in my camper door, below the nail but above the joint. I put ice on it and a few hours later went and bought a finger splint. I didn’t get much bruising on the tip of my finger, but lots of bruising down my finger into my palm. It’s still swollen and any touch or pressure on the tip or bottom side of my thumb is excruciating. But I can bend the tip forward with very little pain. I’m not sure how long I should wait on it to just get better, or could something really be wrong.

    Added:
  64. Fatima

    Hour before my finger smash in bath door now it is blue under the nail m having pain what I should do,urgent reply plz

    Added:
    • Fatima,

      Soaking the finger in cold water immediately after the trauma can reduce both pain and swelling. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen administered right away can also help prevent some of the pain.

      Is the nail blue because there is no blood getting to the finger tip? If so, a trip to the doctor would be wise.

      Best,
      @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer DrGreene.com, Mom

      Added:
  65. Kirk Linton

    Today I caught the top half of my nail between a piece of metal and the die of a break press (metal bending machine) as it was being bent. I could not remove the finger without first raising the press off of the piece of metal. I heard a small crack of the nail as it happened (i hope it was the nail) but there is no visible crack in the nail. There was a lot of blood shortly after but I just put on a bandaid and continued working. My nail is in 3 different colours now, clear at the top, purple in the middle and white at the bottom as it is popped out a bit at the base of the nail. Can barley bend it and it hurts a lot if I hit it against anything. I have just kept replacing the band aids since it happened, trying to keep the nail in place for now. Should I seek medical attention or just let it play out? P.S. really wish it wasn’t my thumb, going to be hard to work.

    Added:
  66. Georgina

    Hi, my 2 yr old pinched her middle fingernail in a metal gate and the nailbed turned black and has, after about 6 weeks, flaked off. The question I have is about the top of her fingernail (that wasn’t) damaged is still attached. Will it eventually fall off too? or will it have to be removed when the new nail grows in? In addition to this problem, we are living in Thailand and so I’m nervous about taking her into the doctor with the language barrier. Thanks.

    Added:
  67. Jonathan

    I recently hit my fingernail with a hammer and due to the pressure hurting real bad I decided to drill a small hole in my nail. I did this 36 hours ago however im still draining blood and clearish stuff out of thr hole. It still hurts very badly, but i know itll be okay! I just wish it woukd stop bleeding haha

    Added:
  68. Sophie

    Hi,
    When I was working about a month ago I trapped two of my fingers in the fridge, I was wearing acrylic nails at the time. One nail completely snapped off half way down but seems to be growing back normally now. But the other nail come off much lower down towards to cuticle, I’m worried that there isn’t any skin attached to the nail underneath(as I can’t see any) and when I move it, it moves a lot! I’m worried that it won’t grow back properly as it’s already got pretty long.

    Any help would be appreciated, thanks!!

    Added:
  69. Draven Zurin Arctus

    When I was 8, I slammed my finger in a car door. Within a few days the fingernail became black underneath from dried blood. I vividly remember the pain and swelling.. To my surprise, it looked horrific to say the least. After about a month or so, the nail grew back but evidently I am within that 2% category. 2/3 of my fingernail is wavy, sort of like the tides. Its as if the fingernail is being forced by skin or maybe bone to go outwards. The other 1/3 is a complete disaster. As soon as a certain section grows, it seperates underneath and a small chunk will fall out, forever giving me a disfigured finger. To top it off, this particular thumb is slightly bigger than my other one. Its very crazy to know that one slam in a car door could be irriversable.

    Added:
  70. Danni

    I closed my finger in my car door about four weeks ago. I have any article nail on top I’ve been to the doctors and they said it should of been off about two weeks ago what shall o do as akin is now growing over the new nail

    Added:
  71. Angel

    Recently I smashed my fingers in a garage door and the tips of my finger and the tops of my nails hurt when I barely tap them. I feel like they might be fractured. After it first happened, my nail started bleeding and now there is a clear-ish substance coming out of my nail? what could that be? should I go to the doctor or not?

    Added:
    • Angel,

      If you think the bone might be fractured, it’s wise to see a doctor.

      Hope you are better soon.

      @MsGreene

      Added:
  72. Tyler

    I closed my finger in a door about a week ago and now under my nail is blue or purple ish and the front of my finger has a dark red or brown ish color spot should I go to a hospital to get it checked out or is that a waste of time

    Added:
    • Meghan

      It sounds like it is bruised under the nail. And the brownish sounds like a blood blister

      Added:
  73. Timo

    Dear docter

    I completely torned of my thumb nail in the gym and my nail bed was damaged quit a bit.

    ( To show you how it looks like this man on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hEPPKC4PpE had similar nailbed injury as me )

    Now my question is that my thumb had been fixed at the hospital with stitches like 5 days ago but I have difficult time to bend my thumb.and when I do I feel a stretch at the nailbed area and I would like to know if should keep it immobilize for some more days or can I start trying to bend it and do some exercises now? It’s still in bandage but can I start trying to train my thumb again or is it too early?

    Added:
    • Timo,

      What an amazing (and not for the faint of heart) video. Wow.

      Was your bone also broken?

      Just wow,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
      • Timo

        Dear Doctor,

        My bone wasn’t broken. I hope I can get back to the gym soon :)

        Kind regards,

        Timo

        Added:
  74. Trina

    So today i was closing my garage door which is a roll up and down door. So therfore it is divided by panels i guess its called.. Well as i went to shut door (by pulling from the bottom panel toward ground) as the door slide down so did my hand. i didnt move my hand quick enough and the tip of my middle finger was smashed in the crack between two pannels. I couldnt pull my hand out so i had to lift up garage door again and then my finger was able to be released.. The pain was horrible and immediately became numb and blood underneath the nail.. Well its about 7-8 hours later and my finger print is almost purple/ black bruise and my finger is still numb.. Should i go to doctor or just let it heal on its own?

    Added:
    • Trina,

      I let out an audible groan as I read your account. Oh, my.

      Do you think the bone is broken? If so, it would be smart to get an x-ray. If it’s broken, the treatment will be different.

      Either way, ICE!

      Ouch,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
    • Nina

      OmG same thing happened to me 😢😢😢😢

      Added:
  75. Arelly Mejia

    I accidentally smashed my finger on my bed and it turned purple where the nail grows. It really doesn’t hurt and I can move my finger around without much pain. Can I leave my finger as is and let it heal naturally or no?

    Added:
  76. Paul Ries

    I smashed my thumb nail in late July 2016. Resulting in a black nail about 7/8 across the nail. So it has been almost two months and about a week since the accident. The nail is slowly moving away from the injury toward the finger end. The nail is lose for most of the way except the very left side of the nail or about 1/16 inch.

    Should I just continue to let it change in place keeping it clean and even to the point of placing tape across the nail to hold it on?? What can I expect that portion of the nail that was not damaged to do?

    I am in good health and 72 years old.

    Added:
    • Daisy

      I smashed my finger yesterday and my nail hurts then I apply pressure on my nail does that mean it’s going to fall out

      Added:
    • BJ west

      Did you receive
      An answer about what to expect? I have been keeping a bandaid on mine that is only connected at the quick, not sure if I should cut off the loose nail. I am hoping a new one grows connected!!

      Added:
  77. Joselyn

    I smashed my finger in the car door about half a month ago right on my cuticle I had to go get my nail drained and a lot of blood came out it was getting better but it started swelling up again now it is very swollen on my cuticle area it looks like a big hump my nail is black but near the cuticle it is white how can I make it better

    Added:
    • Joselyn,

      What medicines did your doctor provide when you had it drained? Was it infected at the time?

      @MsGreene

      Added:
    • Kara

      Joselyn, that big swollen area under your cuticle is the new nail starting to grow in from the bottom up. That means it’s healing and the new nail is slowly growing to replace the damaged nail. I’m going through this right now for the first time myself after slamming my middle finger tip in my bedroom door. The old nail (the blackness underneath is dried blood) feels very weird and keeps getting looser- really freaks me out!!! As your new nail grows and pushes upwards that big bump under your cuticle will go away. Good luck!

      Added:
  78. ARSH

    Hello sir,

    I got my finger stuck in the door a few days back. Now its not paining unless applied to much force. But a swelling has developed. The position is just 1 mm before the nail emerging point. My nail is turned dark blue now. Is this something serious?

    Added:
    • ARSH,

      Is this a bruise? Or blood collecting under the nail?

      If it’s blood collecting under the nail, Dr. Greene says, “When handled properly, this does not increase or decrease the odds of the nail healing well. If enough blood is trapped to cause painful throbbing, the nail should be evaluated.”

      Bruises resolve without treatment.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  79. Chase

    Dr green i smashed my left index finger today at work, right on my cuticle. it instantly got red and swelled up, and then got a dark red and blue spot( like a blood blister) then white spot. It hurts to soak or put anything cold on it. Only luke warm water. I curently have it wrapped up in a goze bandage, cause its increadably sore to the touch or bump. My finger is red and swollen, and throbs. i will keep a eye on it and maybe keep it wrapped up because of the soreness. will my nail fall off, will i have to have a hole put in it? Any advice?

    Added:
  80. Maritza

    On Sunday my sister smush my middle finger with the door. The pain rushed through my arm, my whole nail turn purple & when I try to move my finger up & down, I could but after awhile I feel it fat & numb & the pain hurts my whole left arm. What do I do I can’t take the pain no more it’s hurts so bad?!?! Please help me .

    Added:
    • Maritza,

      Have you gone to the doctor to check to see if the bone is broken? If not, a trip is in order.

      So sorry!
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  81. Luiza

    HELP! I hurt my finger so bad. My nails were long and I hit my nail on a chair by accident. The nail came off the bed on one side. No pain for like 1 month and now all of a sudden pain, swollen, & throbbing!!!!
    I’ve iced it and used betadine. Is it an infection? What to do? Lots of pain. Won’t let me sleep. HELP

    Added:
    • Luiza,

      The delayed pain sounds like it could be an infection. You probably don’t need to rush to an ER, but it would be wise to have it checked by a doctor.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
      • Truth

        Enough of go see a dr… Stop assuming everything needs a dr. Next your gonna say after you put a bandage on go to a dr. Dr have better things to do then get paid for this nonsense

        Added:
  82. Marisa

    My 2 year old closed his thumb in a door about a month ago. It was bruised immediately I took him to the doctor, it was infected so he took the antibiotics & everything started to look fine with the exception it was completely black. We monitored it & went back to the dr last week she said that it may not fall off at all. So today he was playing & started to cry I looked at it & 3/4 of it is completely separated from the nail bed, but the top 1/4 by his cuticle isn’t dead & is still completely attached. What do I do now, I don’t want it to tear off I can’t imagine how painful that would be. I was thinking of going to the ER but was wondering what they would do. Would they have to cut it off? Thanks for your help

    Added:
    • Marisa,

      You do not need to go to an ER (which is very expensive), but seeing your doctor or going to a walk-in clinic may be wise. I don’t know what they will do, but they will determine the best course of action after examining the nail.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  83. Pearla Benavente

    Hi my 5yr old had trip & one of my wooden decoration had fallen straight down on his pinky finger. Somehow the top of his nail wasnt bruise but the buttom side of his pinky became bruised instead. So ive placed ice on it & gave him motrin to avoid pain. He can move his pinky & has feel on it. Only concern the swelling seems to be hard & im afraid on how his blood circulation is doing.

    So Advice should be helpful? Take him into a Doctor or Just monitor it?

    Added:
  84. Julian Hou

    I had an invention which is sutible for treating the unbroken skin smashed fingers or toes to prevent the forming of blood pool immediately after it happened.

    Added:
      • Julian Hou

        I spent more the 10 years to develop this techinique. Now it is totally developed. I confident that it is the novel product in the world. However, I don’t know where to sell it.
        As it only works when the smashed happened so it should be store at home like bandit.

        Added:
    • Katherine

      I would love to hear your invention. My daughter, how kids can be smashed her finger in the door it would be extremely helpful.

      Added:
      • Julian Hou

        If you want, I can send some free samples to you. I wish my invention can benefit more people. Please email me your adress, so I can send them from Australia to you. You can get my email adress via Dr Green as he can see my email adress.

        Added:
        • Hi Julian,

          I’m afraid we can’t release your email address to other folks. It’s outside our privacy policy.

          Best,
          @MsGreene

          Added:
  85. Mariana

    closed my pinky on cabinet door, it only pinched the skin, now there is a patch in my pinky that is completely numb. it has been over 3 weeks and it is still numb.
    should i see a dr?

    Added:
  86. Mary

    I smashed my finger about two weeks ago. A window slammed down on it above the top joint. The nail turned a little purple and oozed at the base of the nail bed and around the edges of the nail. Never felt a lot of pressure under the nail. Now the nail looks like a new nail is maybe growing under the nail from the cuticle causing the old nail to raise up a bit. The old nail is still connected to the nail bed and is pink but is daily becoming more red and feels like the nail is being slowly ripped off. Do I need to see adoctor?

    Added:
  87. Yvonne

    I feel a little embarrassed to post here – I cannot believe how many people have smashed their finger lately, lol! I too was to slow and clumsy to get the thumb out of the way as the car door closed. At first the door did not close correctly (since the thumb was in the way!) but the car has a fature called “soft/self-closing-doors” and once the door is only half latched, the door electronically pulls it shut, no matter what is in the way! So thumb nail got black instantly, indescribable pain for a day and a half, thumb very swollen, until i did some research and decided to use a manual drill bit and drill a small hole on my nail. Instant relief! Lots of blood came out. Nail is now a shade of read, so thre is still blood underneath, but not enough to cause pain from pressure. I can tell the nail is no longer sitting on the nail bed, so I will most likely lose the nail which his fine. What worries me is that the tip of the thumb is white, as if no/very little blood supply is reaching it. It tingles too and is puffy/harder than normal. I got a bruise on the fingerprint side of the thumb too. Is this something I should worry about or will sensitivity return to the area on its own? Just wondering if I am being stupid by sitting this out.
    Thanks!

    Added:
    • Madison

      Oo, that sounds like it hurts! I would 100% advise going to a doctor. If your finger isn’t getting circulation, it could easily die.

      Added:
  88. hannah

    i accidentally hit my nail directly on a chair (really hard lol) and it made my nail come off a little bit above where the pink part started. i also had on nexgen nails and i didnt have tips & they were pretty long. it stopped throbbing and im pretty sure the bleeding stopped (i currently have it in a bandaid). how long will it take to heal? will it fall off? and, will it hurt to put it in saltwater (i have a saltwater pool)?

    Added:
    • It’s hard to sort out all the possibilities with out a physical exam. Your doctor can do that for you. In the meantime, saltwater will likely make if feel better and shouldn’t be an issue.

      Added:
  89. Chantel Brown

    Came across this by just doing some curiosity induced googling. So here’s my story. Last October, I was getting out of my boyfriends truck and as I was shutting the door I somehow had my right index finger in the mix (I was pregnant with my youngest at the time so pregnancy brain was horrible.) Anyways, I ended up going to the store restroom to wash up and stop the bleeding (cold water.) We’ll, I think about a week or two later my finger was all healed up except for one problem I still face: my nail looks like I took a chisel or something to the center of my nail. It’s grown out quite a bit, but not evenly and I’ve had to keep it clipped short which is driving me absolutely bonkers. Any tips on how I can help it grow back to normal?

    Added:
  90. Phabe Vielot

    Hi,
    I closed my car door on my thumb 3 days ago. When it first happened I iced it and the next day it swelled up and turned blue. I even put my thumb in warm water and Epsom salt. It hurts when I put it in there. I can move my thumb around and up/down a little bit. I’m scared it is not healing. I don’t know if its going to take time.

    Added:
    • Phabe,

      Are you sure a bone in your thumb isn’t broken? That’s the biggest worry. If you haven’t ruled that out, it would be smart to see a doctor.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  91. Chris

    How are you caught my finger at work between a pipe . Nail is already black and I have also ripped open the tip of my finger in two places looking for the best way to stop the bleeding and treating it my self thanks

    Added:
  92. Bruiser LaRue

    I crushed my middle fingernail on my right hand ( I/m right handed) six years ago. It started healing with the tip slightly bent and a slight flaring out on both sides. It started to heal and a month or two later, I had a healthy pink under the nail like the rest of my fingers. I saw no reason to see a doctor. Wouldn’t you know it, the right edge snagged on something and I started over. Well six years later, half the nail has pink underneath with the other half white underneath with the occasional Subungual Hematoma. Is there any way to get the flare out on each side of the nail and the tip curled down?

    Added:
  93. Kinzy

    I smashed my finger in a car door. The nail is broken and the bleeding stopped. It’s not swollen but the nail bed is turning blue and my finger is bruised. I can move it fine and I’ve been keeping Ice on it for the pain. Should I seek medical attention?

    Added:
    • Jimmy

      I reckon the nail will fall off and that you haven’t broken it, but if you think you need medical attention you should see a doctor. I personally think that in the end, the bruising will go away and the nail will fall off. Seek medical attention if it is not getting better

      Hope it gets better! :)

      Added:
  94. LaShuna

    Hi my name is lashauna I smashed my thumb in a car door like 3 days ago is still swollen and my nail bed is starting to turn a dark Color And it is Very firm to the touch should I go to my doctor should I soak my finger and some epson salt what should I do..

    Added:
  95. Gicell

    Hello

    I crushed my finger at work with a vegetable cutter that turns food into little tiny squares and my finger is swollen end I got two little cuts next to my nail Italy has been 4 hours since it happened I didn’t put it in ice after because I wasn’t aware that I was supposed to what should I do?

    Added:
  96. Ellen

    My husband dropped a concrete block on his finger…doesn’t appear to be broken…the nail bed is already turning blue but what I’m most concerned about is the ‘tip’ of the finger is really swollen and blue…he wasn’t able to get to ice or elevate it for a few hours. I read and understand everything you said above…should I have any other concerns about the swollen tip? It looks bulbous and inflated…it’s throbbing and painful.

    Thanks for your time/expertise.

    Added:
  97. Lori

    My 2 year old’s finger was smashed last week and today the nail is coming off. We have a beach trip planned for this weekend and all next week any precautions for the beach and saltwater?

    Added:
    • Hello Lori,

      Ouch! That sounds painful.

      The saltwater should be good for her finger, however without a nail, the sand may be irritating. It would be wise to cover the nail bed when she’s going to be in the sand.

      Hope that’s helpful.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  98. Monique Hunter

    I got my finger caught in the door today and I don’t think I broke it but I did ripe skin on my middle finger and the one next to it has a blood underneath it but it’s hurting so much it’s been throbbing all day I don’t take pain killer because they don’t work I just stay in pain. My hand is hiring from the injury all the way through to the eldow it very painful n I can’t sleep neither what should I do?

    Added:
    • Monique,

      That sounds so painful. If you haven’t already, try ice and elevation. That might help with the pain.

      @MsGreene
      Executive Producer, DrGreene.com

      Added:
    • Jimmy

      Go to a doctor I reckon xx

      Added:
  99. Devon

    Hi I don’t know why my finger nails have a big bump on some of them but is there any way you can get rid of them?

    Added:
  100. Evan

    Squashed my nail today on 2 rocks trying to get a fish I caught that fell in the rocks, the nail looks ok but has a lot of pain, what should I do?

    Added:
  101. Niko

    My kids finger got smashed and part of the nail is gone. The main problem is that whenever she takes a shower, the bandaid falls off and drying the finger off and putting a new bandaid on is so painful that she completely freaks and wont let me put it on. Please help.

    Added:
    • When she’s going to take a shower, try wrapping her finger in a plastic bag and taping the bag shut. When she’s out of the shower, you can wash her finger gently or use a hand sanitizer while the nail heals.

      Hope that helps,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  102. Caitlin

    Hi, so i smashed my finger really good last night at work . Blood immediately appeared under the nail, I iced it as soon as I could and did so through my shift. As the shift went on the blood spot grow and so did the tinderness. This morning no change but hurts like crap. Should I go get it checked out?

    Added:
    • April

      Caitlin What happened? I have the same exact issue but the pain subsided after day 2. Did you have to pierce yours? My injury happened five days ago.

      Added:
  103. Angela

    Hi. Okay so about three months ago I was trying to make a little hut for my plants so when I was hammering it slipped and smashed my thumb full on. It instantly began to bled and the pain was hard to describe but it would shoot all the way down my hand. I took anti inflammatory medication because it was extremely swollen. Now it’s two months later and it still hurts to use my thumb/ theres more blood trapped under it (now it’s an ugly dark burgundy/purple colour with a dark blue band in the middle). I was just wondering if I should try to convince my mom to get it checked since it’s not improving. Also looking at my thumb its visibly bent at a slight angle.

    Added:
  104. Alexandria

    My finger has been hit with a large mallet while laying on a piece off stone (somebody missed) that was being held in place. I was wearing gloves but that didn’t stop the pain. It is black and blue on the pad of my finger but not the nail bed. It looks like it is going to burst due to the swelling. I have no problems below the first knuckle. I am pretty sure the blow it took crushed the bone. Icing 20 on and 20 off taking Ibuprofen (1 tab 800mg tid qday). Also, using a splint since there is no skin damage (open areas). There has been no change since it happened earlier today. I’m a former nurse (still licensed), now a landscape designer but don’t feel it nessecary to go my GP for a finger. Am I doing everything I can do?

    Added:
  105. Racha

    Hello,

    my middle finger got jammed around the first knuckle, it took about a minute in order to get it out. I can move it okay, it’s only painful when direct contact is made with the injured surface, but for the last three day since the injury the tip of my finger has been a little swollen and numb, with a tingling sensation on the right side of the first knucle/tip.

    Added:
    • The primary concern with smashed fingers is a broken bone in the knuckle. If you think this may be the case, it’s time to get it checked out.

      Best,
      @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer, DrGreene.com

      Added:
      • Racha

        I dont think it’s broken seeing as there really isn’t that much pain, and I can move it just fine, but the numbness is a bit weird and I’m not sure if I should worry about it or just wait it out until it passes.

        Added:
        • If you’re worried, it’s always wise to get it checked out. You can likely wait until your doctor’s office is open or a walk in clinic. You don’t likely need to go to an Emergency Room.

          Hope that helps,
          @MsGreene

          Added:
  106. Vicky

    My 2 year old had her finger trapped in the door by her big sister we had ice on it but the finger is still swollen and is not straight a kink on one side it was caught right in the middle of her finger its been over a week now?

    Added:
  107. Sara strong

    I accidentally caught my acrylic nail underneath something I was trying to pick up. It didn’t rip the acrylic off or anything like that but now the tip of my finger just burns horribly bad if I try to straighten my finger or put any pressure on the finger is a serious enough to go to a doctor for ?

    Added:
    • It sounds like you ripped a bit of the finer nail. Is that what it feels like?

      Added:
  108. Courtney

    I smashed my thumb sideways in the car door yesterday and it instantly turned 90 percent black. I can’t even touch my thumb and it’s aching into my index finger. I keep bumping it and when I do its almost numb but shockingly painful at the same time. Nothing is releasing the pain, I don’t have insurance but should I see a dr? Can they do anything if I did break my thumb? Also it’s swollen and purple all the way around as well.

    Added:
    • Courtney,

      Whether a doctor can do anything to help or not depends on several factors. Is it broken or not? Where is the break? etc. You probably can’t know that without going to a doctor. To save money, find a doctor or walk in clinic instead of the Emergency Room. This means getting treatment during the day, so don’t wait until evening to start the process.

      Hope that helps,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  109. Carmen

    Okay so hi I’m 14 years old and about I think 2 months ago I smashed my finger against my window anyways I started to see a line of blood in my finger nail and thought of it as nothing so now two months later there is a medium sized blue-ish purple-ish bruise which is obviously blood and it’s about 3:27 am and I saw what I thought was nail polish on my nail the one with the blood in it and I began to scrap it off with my teeth I began to notice that I have now created a hole where the blood is its small but it’s freaking me out what do I do?? PLEASE RELPY SOON
    P.s sorry for giving you my life story but I’m freaking out anyways thank you for your time peace

    Added:
    • MOTIVATINGYOU26

      you need to stop scraping the nail . the wound has deepened already. it’s healthy if you let your parents know about it and get a first aid asap by removing your nail. don’t bandage it .wash it carefully and keep it clean and dry after that visit a doctor and get it checked to avoid any further infection and prevent it from getting septic. don’t stress it happens just take care and get well soon .

      Added:
  110. Homer

    I crushed my thumb on a car door, its been 4 days and its still trobbing. Its purple and there’s blood under my nail, its swollen. Its about 2x the size of my right thumb. Should i see a doctor ?

    Added:
    • Sounds like it would be smart to call your doctor’s office and at least talk to the nurse. At 2Xs the normal size, your doctor will likely want to see you in person or at least make sure it’s resolving.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  111. Randy Godbey

    I crushed my right thumbnail off with a press at work. It tore completely off and I have had it bandaged since the incident, however I also noticed minor swelling, and also it has a light film over it already. I am just curious to know what I need to do.

    Added:
    • Randy,

      With any work accident like this one, you should see a doctor immediately. Depending on the outcome, there may be work-related help to cover costs, but even if there isn’t, work related accidents should be reported. Sounds like that didn’t happen, but it would be smart to see a doctor now.

      Hope that helps,
      @MsGreene
      Co-founder and Executive Producer, DrGreene.com

      Added:
  112. Mary

    My son smashed his finger at school on his locker 3 days ago and now his finger is swollen and the finger nail is white. What should I do.

    Added:
    • Hi Mary,

      Sounds like it would be smart for your son to see a doctor. This is likely not an emergency. Perhaps call your doctor today if your doctor doesn’t see patients over the weekend. He or she may tell you to monitor until Monday.

      Hope that helps,
      @MsGreene
      Co-founder and Executive Producer, DrGreene.com

      Added:
  113. Julie

    My left index and middle finger were smashed in the trunk lid for around 20 minutes down past the distal phalanx. (no one around, garage door closed, keys in house already, had just unloaded groceries). I had no other way out rather than pull my 2 fingers down with my right hand (slowly). The middle finger bore the brunt and was/still is to an extent dented in. Also that dent was/is purple. Skin torn on index. No blood. I can move the fingers, nails intact, yet the nail beds ARE tender, especially the middle finger. Also the middle finger still throbs and pain shoots up towards the elbow. This happened 11 days ago. Should I have it checked? (being right handed has come in ‘handy’, because I am doing everything with that hand.)

    Added:
    • Julie,

      What a horrible experience. Sounds like it’s time to get that checked. There may not be any treatment, but better safe than sorry.

      BTW — We’ve all done things like that, just a bummer that you’re suffering now.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  114. Jordan

    So about a month or so ago I smashes my finger at work n the nail fell in a couple weeks, now I have a new nail growing back. Well today I smashed my new nail n I can see bruising or blood under the new nail n it’s sore. If I lose my new nail before it’s grown back completely will another one grow or will I not have a thumbnail?

    Added:
  115. Billy

    Hi. I trapped my finger in a letterbox the other day. How do I treat it?

    Added:
  116. Cristian Covarrubias

    Im 12 and when me and my dad came back from work I squashed my thumb. It’s really painful and its purple in the middle. What should I do? Im really worried

    Added:
    • Leighann

      Hi Christian, I’m Leigh Ann but people call me leelee, and my youngest son is 12 also, but it was me with my thumb in the car door. Duh.

      Christian, don’t worry. God gave us the amazing ability to heal.

      That being said, you can relieve pressure in a swollen purple or throbbing fingertip by making a sterile hole in the nail; spinning a sterilized needle (exacto knife) in one spot will soon allow blood to escape, thus relieving most pain.

      I have had to do this twice and have not felt any pain going into the nailbed but the opposite: immediate relief.

      I hope this helps. Feel better soon. Love you.

      LA

      P.S. Ask an adult.

      Added:
      • MOTIVATINGYOU26

        just have a spoonful of turmeric powder with hot milk before sleeping tonight and see the pain vanished by morning . i hope it works for you to as it worked for me when i smashed my finger in my door while rushing out . it’s still red but the pain is gone
        STAY STRONG get well soon

        Added:
  117. Jessica

    Helllo i am a 13 year old girl and just today my middle finger got smashed by a window and i still feel àlot of pain and half of my nail is black and I can’t really move my finger because it hurts and i think its swollen. I’m very concerned and worried because the window smashed it very hard and if I touch water or even my hair my middle finger hurts. I really hope its not something to worry about.

    Added:
  118. Elizabeth Ferrell

    Yesterday my 18 month old son closed his finer in the bathroom door, and it now has fever and under the nail is a blue/purple color. Should I take him to the doctor ?

    Added:
  119. Chris

    About a week ago I smashed 4 of my fingers in the garage door. From the looks of it my middle finger took most of the smash. Within 48 hours I noticed my middle finger was swollen. I found THIS website and read the part to heat a paper clip, poke it through the nail to release pressure. So, what did i do…. applied rubbing alcohol on said finger and a sewing needle, applied heat to sewing needle to where it was red hot, then i poked the needle into my finger… which the needle slid right through my nail like a knife going through butter. And the pressure was gone after an hour or so. Thanks Dr. Greene.

    Added:
  120. Kellie Hale

    The day before yesterday I was helping a friend move a huge piece of machinery and I smashed the side of my pinky it split the side if the pinky open and there was a blood blister on it immediately after it happened and it’s been throbbing every since. I have put ice on it as well. What can I do to relieve the pain?

    Added:
  121. Keith Chaney

    I had my finger smash at work 3 days ago and it’s still throbbing. the fingernail is almost completely black and the tip of my finger is swollen and red. It is also VERY tender. Should I see a doctor or just let it run its course?

    Added:
    • Keith Chaney

      Update: day 5 and it’s still throbbing but now the black of my fingernail has widend past the sides of the nail and now the sides of my finger are blueish purple. Also my finger is bulged up right at the proximal fold.

      Added:
  122. Alena

    My finger got smashed by a window about a month ago.
    All the presure got released from the sidesso i didnt have to get a hole punctured in the nailbed.
    Now he nail looks like its going to possibly fall off and moves when i touch it.
    Near the cuticle it is now white and then towards the middle of the nail it looks like theres some scabbing.
    the nail is detached from the sidesand is still a bit yellowish.
    Do I have anything to worry about or is this natural?

    Added:
  123. Plaid Adams

    I smashed my finger under a brine tank today, it was a couple hundred pounds, my finger nail is completely black, and all the fingers are cold on afflicted hand. My healthy hand is normal temapture. I also feel the pain all the way to my shoulder with only one injured finger. Could it be broken?

    Added:
    • This doesn’t sound good. I would recommend you see a doctor as soon as you can. I hope it’s not broken, but it warrants a good check.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
      • Nikita templeton

        I smashed my finger in the car door and my nail is black and it happened today

        Added:
  124. Jayda Gibson

    My brother slammed his finger in my car door. His nail is black and blue and spreading through the skin the top of the finger is crocked and he can’t bend it, it doesn’t stay straight. I have red this page and it helped I just don’t know what to do for it at this point. He is in really bad pain please tell me what to do

    Added:
  125. Louis

    I smashed my finger a few months ago, I had a pressure release but there is still lots of pressure under the nail and since then a new nail has grown. The new nail is 3/4 of the way to growing back does any body know what I should do?

    Added:
  126. Jessica

    I smashed my finger about a month ago and it hurt and throbbed for a good 3-4 days before I couldn’t stand it anymore. I relieved the pressure myself and it no longer hurts. Although it still feels a bit funny (almost like a bruise). It still is dark under the entire nail and hasn’t seemed to grow out much. Haven’t seen a doctor yet. Should I? What type of doctor do I need to see if I decided to go?

    Added:
  127. lisa

    my finger nail has blood clock and how long does my finger nail grow back when my nail fall off cuz i got my finger nail slammed in a bed

    Added:
  128. Lisa Burgess

    Even if the tip IS BROKEN can anything be done ? Just a splint correct. They really couln’t set the tip of your thumb , correct ? I slammed the car door on my Thumb. Nail is completely black. Throbbing stopped after the first day. Nail is cracked half way across from the middle allowing blood to escape somewhat. Feeling better but will have to splint it for a while. Think iT’S doing ok . Probably did fracture the tip more than likely but what could they really do ?

    Added:
    • Mary

      I did this exact thing four weeks ago. Got an X-ray and because it was fractured but not out of place, they splinted it and have just got splint off yesterday. You need to get an X Ray because if it’s broken and displaced they will have to operate and reset with wires or it will never heal and you’ll have arthritis. I still have a little pain but getting on with it now. Good luck

      Added:
  129. Krystie Sauter

    Hi Dr. Greene,

    My daughter accidentally smashed my husband’s middle finger in the door of the SUV earlier today, and it made him immediately feel nauseated and like he was going to pass out, for quite a while. He also had aches in other joints in his body. Within 30 minutes he got home and soaked finger in ice water. Then, within an hour he put a finger splint on it. He felt nauseated and continued to feel bodily aches and felt “out of it” for at least a couple of more hours. He just took his second dose of 1000 mg of acetaminafin. It’s extremely painful, but he is now able to sleep. If there is not excessive swelling in the morning, do you think it’s okay as is, or should he see a doctor? Thanks, Krystie

    Added:
  130. mona

    What if I smashed my finger on a car door but never went to see a doctor the blood did come out and the swelling went away but my nail is black and I believe it will fall off is that ok or do I really have to see a doctor

    Added:
  131. Kylie vennema

    A few weeks ago I got my hand slammed in a locker. About an hour later I got what I thought was a blood blister about a quarter way down my pointer finger nail,now it is almost over half way down my nail.I haven’t seen a doctor or relieved the pressure.is there anyway to sAve my nail?

    Added:
  132. Sarah

    I slammed my finger in the car door

    Added:
    • CARL

      IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE NAIL LOOKS LIKE IF IT IS OKAY OR NOT. IM PRETTY SURE IF THE NAIL IS A LITTLE BIT YELLOW AND PINK IT IS OKAY. AND IF IT IS PRPLE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DRAIN IT.

      Added:
      • Plaid Adams

        What if it skipped purple and went from red to straight black

        Added:
  133. Simone

    Today I answered the door and then closed it while doing so I caught the side of my nail and the skin as well what should I do?

    Added:
  134. Lexie

    Finger got caught by my car door. My nail is fine, but there is a pool on blood under my skin at the point where my finger bends. I can bend my finger just fine. Should I be worried about the blood under my skin?

    Added:
  135. ladeja

    how do i know when its healing because its changing colors and im trying to see if i need to got to the doctor

    Added:
  136. Miriah N Germaine Martin

    Just like one of the story’s I read. I was cleaning. My house. And my almost 1yr old really likes to play wit tissue and !EEWW! Our toilet water. I caught her at the door. Told her No Thank YOU!! And I shut the door!

    Lucky that my Husband was standing there! I heard her whine? Thinking she was getting mad for closing the door!?

    “Babe her finger!!!” I looked down seeing her crying! In instinct I opened the door and garbed her “holding her tight”

    “Look at her finger. Check to see if it’s okay!!”

    Her pinky finger was flattened and skin! hanging at the tip.

    Crying loud and panic in I grabbed his phone and tried calling my mom. No answer I called grandpa next door. He gave me very good advice!

    The tip her pinky turned pale. He said, “Oh yeah her nail will fall off.”

    She cried for another 20 min. My husband gave her 3ml ibuprofen. He fell asleep after a few.

    I elevated her arm and put ice on her pinky while she’s sleeping.

    But really my question is — the tip of her pinky was flat to the bone or more. I just want to know whether I should go and get it X-Rayed or wait a few days???

    Added:
    • Hi Miriah,

      Wow can I relate. I did something very similar and I think I felt as bad as my son did.

      I rushed him to the ER for an Xray and, thank goodness, in his case, the bone was not injured.

      I still feel bad, even though it was a total accident.

      Should you go get an Xray? I can’t tell you that, but if I were you I would go. Clearly, I did. And it was an unnecessary trip.

      Not sure that helps, but hope it does.
      @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer, DrGreene.com & Mom

      Added:
    • ley

      OMG, Yes get it xrayed. Don’t wait. The pain is unbearable. They have such little fingers and bones when young. My 4 year old caught hers in bifold wardrobe door and I did the same, witch hazel, arnica and ice later. Bandaged, up I inspected it but after two days I noticed it was swelled compared to other thumb I thought I’m going to check it out. Turns out the bone was broken at the tip! She now has a little splint. So yes get it checked out.

      Added:
  137. Sofia

    I’m a eleven year old girl and I caught my finger in the window when I was closing it and I can feel and move it but I’m in a lot of pain still and I can’t move it at all

    Added:
  138. Makinley

    I’m a simple 12 year old. I was playing with my cousin in a lightsaber duel and he hit my left index finger. At first it was extreme pain and I barely was able to feel it (I can still feel stuff it just felt kind of numb but the feeling is back to normal). My nail doesn’t look like it’s damaged but were my nail grows looks damaged (like the back of the nail. Not under it but kind of like behind it.). It is reddish black and it’s the size of a mm. The damage is under my skin not directly on the nail. From what I can tell there is no bleeding. I just would like to know if there should be things to worry about.

    Added:
  139. frana

    Hello, am 21 years old, an iron bucket fell on my toe nail when i was 3 years old, my mum did not get it treated, infact she did nothng about it and the nail just became so so ugly and am ashamed to even go to a saloon cos am ashamed and worried that people will see it, pls what can i do to make it look beautiful and grow well, its the only problem i have physically, i dont want it to make me feel inferior…i want to be completely gorgeos i need help plssss

    Added:
  140. Claudia Espinoza

    Hello, I smashed my thumb finger nail when I was eight years old in a car door. I am now twenty years old and I still have pain in my finger nail. I can’t cut it with a nail clipper because I feel pressure if I do that. therefore I always file it. I also noticed it is my thickest nail. I also grow, I believe it is an underneath nail. It grows with with two black strips. I am not sure what that is. Also, when i press my nail I feel pressure. I even feel a little bit of pressure when I am not touching it. Should I be concerned? I smashed it twelve years ago and the pain is still here.

    Added:
  141. Nina

    I slammed my thump in the door of my dad’s truck and now the bottom of my nail in purple and a light blue then. My finger is also purple and swollen. Iced it but it still really hurts. What should I do?

    Added:
  142. dinesh

    Dear Sir,
    my daughter’s middle finger got crushed in the door and the nail has got cut and a mild hair line crack in the finger. her age is 5years. what to do. my doctor has advised for a surgery.
    i need your opinion on this. i am worried and dont know what to do. please help me.

    Added:
    • Tara

      Please dont worry i suggest taking the surgery as quick as possible it may grow worse… Try putting ice on it..

      Added:
  143. Asavari

    I smashed my finger in my car door and the whole nail turned black and started bleeding immediately. I am 12 years old. Even after icing it at first, it still hurts a lot. The pain has only increased and my finger is getting bigger by the minute. I can tell that there is definitely interior bleeding.
    Please let me know what I should do.

    Added:
    • Brianna

      I am 15 years old The same exact thing happened to me in February 23 ,2016 and at first I put some ice in it for the whole day to help the swelling then I got a nail or screw to get all the blood out so my nail wouldn’t fall off and I wrapped it with some cause and I had to get something to keep it in place like the long part of a plastic form and took a pain reliever and it stopped hurting

      Added:
  144. Melanie

    Hi my 3 year old brother slammed his finger on the door, it’s not yellow. But it was bleeding on the nail and bottom of nail, so do you know what to do?

    Added:
  145. Lisa F-S

    I pulled the car door shut on my foot thinking my foot was in as it sat on the edge where the door shuts rather than the foot-well (long story).
    I had it xrayed and the podiatrist said nothing was broken just damage to tissues that might hurt a while. It never bruised much but now, nearly a month later it’s hurting more and feeling swollen – the toe equivalent to your ring finger. My son kicked it or stepped on it accidentally twice over the last few weeks but he’s 3 and 36 pounds so it hurt but not enough to add injury. I felt a little numbness, tingling, but mostly when walking and it hurts most to flex the toe back rather than bend forward – podiatrist said that was tendon. How long should it hurt and at what point should I be concerned or have it re-evaluated? Thank you so much.

    Added:
  146. Krystal

    Hi! A few months ago I actually smashed me thumb in my moms truck door. My nail finally fell off yesterday and the nail bed looks kind of funky. It’s hard and and looks weird. Definitely does not look like soft tissues. Is this something I should be concerned about or?

    Added:
  147. Felicia Moore

    My Husband Smashed his thumbnail in the car door and the nail bed at cuticle had turned purple, what to do?

    Added:
  148. Jocelyn

    Hi, Im a 22 years old chic, today I was getting my kids out of the car and I smashed my tumb with the car door it hurt so bad, at first it was a light pain it started turning purple. It hurts so bad and it swollen. Im having sharp pains when I move it its just terrible! Should I see a doctor? It happened at 4:00pm so I been in pain for 6 hours and it gets worse

    Added:
    • Jocelyn,

      Sounds like it would be wise to have it checked out. Likely tomorrow is just fine.

      Hope that helps.
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  149. Jack

    My finger got smashed between a board and conveyor it put a hole in the nail and it was bleeding alot at first. Hurts like mad but I can move it easily enough. Should I let a dr look at it.

    Added:
    • Does it hurt when you bend your finger?

      Added:
      • Romise Keitt

        It is more stiff and swollen than hurt my situation is that I’m diabetic and trying to treat it so it doesn’t get infected

        Added:
        • In your case, I’d suggest seeing a doctor. Diabetics need to take special care. Much better to be on the cautious side.

          Hope that helps,
          @MsGreene

          Added:
          • Homer

            Hi, my name is Homer. 2 days ago i smashed my thumb on a car door and its been throbbing ever since its also swollen. I have blood under my nail, at first it didnt have so much blood but now its almost completely dark. i tried to drain it by heating a paper clip but its so sensitive it hurts way too much. Should i see a doctor ?

            Added:
          • Ouch! Sounds like seeing a doctor would be a good next step.

            Best,
            @MsGreene

            Added:
  150. Seva

    It all happened to me and plus it turned black for a while . What do you do?

    Added:
  151. ruth

    I smashed my middle finger in the door and it was swollen and bruised. The doctor x rayed it and said it is not broken. I took the ibuprofen 600 that he prescribed . The pain got better but now I see that around the nail is bent and I am not sure if it is infected. Can you tell me If it is possible that it gets infected after a week?

    Added:
    • It is certainly possible. Can you call the doctor who x-rayed your finger and describe your current situation?

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  152. Janice

    My daughter smashed her thumb in her dads car door. Took her to urgent care they drained it. Nail fell off. Now the nail is growing in but it’s turning green. Should I worry. She said it don’t hurt. I’m just concerned if I need to take her to the Dr

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  153. Christine

    My 6 yr old smashed his finger in a door 1month ago and the nail turned black underneath. Last week it partially tore off and we have been keeping it wrapped in band aid as he goes to school. Today it’s barely hanging on. He has slow growing nails. Is there anything I should do? I don’t think the nail will last much longer and he’ll have just a pad on his finger.
    Thanks for any input

    Added:
  154. Nataly

    Hi.

    I am 12 and I smashed my finger in my daddy’s truck on Tuesday night. When it got shamed it throbbed painfully and when I try to walk with my left hand down like my right, that finger throbs even more!!! I guessed that it was because of the blood flow going downward. I can make I straight, but it hurts to keep it that way, also my pinky and middle finger sometimes hurt when they aren’t the ones that got smashed. the lower part of my palm and my forearm sometimes hurt too. the top joint of my finger feels numb. I haven’t iced it or put it in water yet because it hurts too much. under my nail it bleeds, but it doesn’t bleed on the outside. here is a pic.

    Please help if you can. tell me what I should do.

    Added:
    • Hi Nataly,

      That sounds really painful. I’m so sorry.

      From your description, it sounds like you should see a doctor. He or she will likely x-ray your finger to see if there is a broken bone.

      Hope that helps,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
      • Nataly

        ok. Thanks!!

        Added:
        • Nataly

          my dad cut my fingernail down as much as we could last night and we put a band aid on it, so that helps a lot. my finger nails are strong and grow really fast!!that one was at least an inch long!

          Added:
  155. Shaleen

    My daughter smashed her nail today on a bathroom door in a restaurant. It immediately turned purple and she stopped cryin after some time. I made sure she was able to move it without any problems and she hasn’t complained since but it just looks bad.

    Added:
  156. Paula

    Last night I was putting some ikea furniture together when I smashed a heavy metal Hammer down on my middle finger tip with quite some force! The pain crippled me and I was going from hot to freezing cold! I had Shellac on my nail and it amazingly didn’t crack or split what so ever. The throbbing pain was unbearable and making me shiver. My wrist and elbow were also hurting and the fingers either side were also hurting and went cold whereas the injured finger was boiling hot! I immediatly put my finger under the cold tap when it happened and took a strong ibroprofen which worked after about an hour.
    I removed the shellac from my nail to relieve some of the pressure and it is black and blue but strangely white at the point of impact.

    Today my finger is feeling tight and numb and my nail doesn’t feel like it’s going to hang on (although it’s further up the nail from the nail bed.) My fingers either side are still really cold and I’m feeling cold all over and slightly unbalanced?

    Do you think I should see someone about it? Will my nail fall off as it’s not damaged at the nail bed? And why am I feeling cold all over and a bit unwell?

    Please give me some advice ?

    Added:
    • Nataly

      Hi Paula!

      I’m only 12, but the way you are describing your pain and everything, think that you should go see someone. Hope this helps!!

      Added:
  157. Eliana

    A lot of experiences or when people jam there nail but I jammed my fingers. The middle finger and ring finger have a blood oval shape pool and are sitting above a red line that moves away from them. I believe the red lines or the lines I had got jammed in by my sliding closet door. The experience was very painful right away I had went to the bathroom and ran water over them. Right now I am icing my fingers and hoping for the best. I really am worried because it feels very warm and is throbbing with pain. Please help me and contact back I need an explanation quickly. It hurts so bad!

    Added:
    • Eilana,

      That sounds so painful. If it’s still throbbing now, it would be smart to see a doctor to make sure you didn’t break a bone.

      Hope that helps,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  158. Haylie

    I got my finger stuck in a door. It hurt like hell but after a day or two the pain went away. The nail has now turned a purple with some red with clear spots where the nail is detaching from the skin. Today i was messing with it and i can see part way under my nail. Its been like a month since i got this injury. We never went to a doctor so i dont know if i should leave it or not. There might be a nail under it, it seems that there is a lighter part closer to the nail bed. Should i do anything????

    Added:
    • Maryan

      Yes u should go t the doctor amd let him or her check it out thn if it still dont heel after the doctor gave u something thn u have to go to the er just to see uf its bot infected or nothing but if it dont grow bck thn it will take yrs to grow bck or eatier it will nvr grow bck

      Added:
  159. Elisha

    I smashed my finger tip stocking at work about 3 weeks ago that night it woke me up throbbing and the next morning it was really swollen and red no blood tho after a couple days it stopped hurting but still swollen now after 3 weeks its throbbing again and still swollen

    Added:
  160. Ingrid

    A table fell on my big toe about 2months ago. The nail turned black etc, a week ago I stubbed my toe and the nail became loose on the left side, the right side is still attached but the nail is loose at the cuticle as well. Should I just leave the nail on or go to the doctor to have it removed? I have to keep it in place with a bandage to prevent it from being torn off. When I keep the bandage on long enough the nail flattens out but when I don’t have a bandage on it sort of curls up. What should I do?

    Added:
    • Marj MacNeill

      My husband had a piece of hardwood fall from 6′ to land on his finger. Excruciating pain for days. Swollen finger, and blacken nail which is now coming off. His finger pains when cold. Looks like no nail underneath. Should he see a Doctor.

      Added:
  161. Lorraine

    I jammed my finger two weeks ago , swelling only lasted for two days. I’m able to bend and use the finger , but I have numbness the top lower joint with some electrical shock sensation at times when I bump it on something . Does anyone know how long will the numbness last or is this permanent ?

    Added:
    • Michele

      Same here I have the electrical shock sensation on the tip of my finger. Did yours go away?

      Added:
  162. Jason

    Hello
    I was zipping my sons backpack and the end part of the zipper that you hold to zip got smashed under my thumbnail.the part of the nail that was bruised I cut off and now my thumb is a little swollen with throbbing pain..what can I do to relieve the pain? No blood or signs of bruising just throbbing pain

    Added:
  163. Bianca Dawkins

    Does it hurt to have the needle or red paper clip put in your finger to get the blood out. My finger is not hurting and it is also not swollen.
    Thanks

    Added:
  164. sabin tamang

    Its been 6 years my shortest finger is smashed and now no nail and remaind only half finger nail didn’t come …is there any treatment so that i can have nail growth in my finger?

    Added:
  165. Diana

    Hi, my 1 year old smashed his middle & pointing finger today but only the middle finger is swollen. At the tip of his finger there is blood inside but appears as a bruise, although his nail looks completely fine I don’t know what to do about the bloody & swelled part. I already iced it for about 30 minutes.

    Added:
  166. Patty

    I smashed my fingers on the closet door. My fingers are very swollen I can’t take my wedding ring off. It happened last night, my hand has been really cold since last night is this normal?

    Added:
  167. Dee

    I have acrylic nails on and I smashed my left pinky really hard as I opened a door. My acrylic nail fell off and my finger was burning and pulsing I ignored the pain thinking it would go away soon. I put the acrylic nail back on with super glue and the pain only grew I removed the nail and my nail was matured and full of pus, I’m soaking it in salt water. It’s lifted will it fall off? If so when? And when would my nail grow back? Should I see a doctor?

    Added:
  168. violet

    Hello Dr. Greene,
    I smashed my finger yesterday with my sliding closet door. It’s swollen and purple underneath it’s bothersome due to the throbbing pain and can’t bend it much. I can tell that the blood is just stuck there. I feel my finger (s) getting cold at times and with a slight pain on my elbow. Is this normal and should I go see a doctor.

    Added:
  169. Brent

    Hi Dr. Greene. I smashed my thumb in the car door a couple of weeks ago. My nail just came off today and there is a large hard white and red bump under where the nail was. Is this normal? Will it get in the way of the new nail growing in or should the bump go down? It looks like blood trapped under the skin. I am just concerned that the bump is so hard.

    Added:
  170. Monica

    Okay hi,my daughter smashed her Pointer finger on a car door and there is a scratch well it looks like the nail went inside but she is took scared for me too look.Its also black and blue.We have been washing it and putting band aids.This is the second day.Does anything we do help? What else can I do? I do not think we need to go to the doctor but…..Should we?

    Added:
  171. Danna Sanchez

    I slammed my finger on the door and July and now we are in November and the first 2 days my nail was in terribly throbbing. I also had the dried up blood under my nail. My nail came of just yesterday in November but the nail that has replaced my damaged one is very weak, thin, and wrinkly from the tip. What should I do to cure it?? What I have been using as a remedy is this cheap nail polish that is said to cure damaged nails but it doesn’t seem to be working. Should I see a doctor??

    Added:
  172. jack

    What about if the first nail still ain’t off and the other one is still growing under it then what

    Added:
  173. Ray Rodriquez

    My husband smashed his finger at the gym..the innards squished out through a half inch cut..swelling and bruising..quite a bit of blood. Am worried because he is diabetic two and usually has poor circulation in his fingers tips..Should he go to emergency..he is stubborn. I cleansed it in plain water and wrapped it with gauze and tape..Worried here.

    Added:
    • It sounds like a trip to your doctor or the ER is in order, especially since your husband is diabetic.

      @MsGreene

      Added:
  174. lovey

    I had accidently put my hand in a running fan…andmy thumb had been cut and its nail is also cracked in between….after 6 days my wound has been cleared almost but my thumb is numb…and even i can control it but when i tried to close it, it feels like my wound will open again so i didn’t try to close it can you tell me how can i bring sensation in my numb thumb

    Added:
  175. Lewis

    struck my thumb nail with my brick trowel it’s turned the nail blackish and now my under side of thumb is begging to swell what’s occurring

    Added:
  176. NAKIJA

    So I smashed my finger in the car door . Its been the 3rd day that it has been throwing but now its numb with a blood clot. What do I do?

    Added:
    • If you have a blood clot in your vein, you should see a doctor, but I think that is not what you’re saying. Can you explain more?

      Added:
    • Pamela Humphrey

      The same happened to me. What is the answer.?

      Added:
  177. Judy

    I crushed my middle finger about 6 months ago, on the joint below my nail.
    It never discolored, but the pain has never gone away. It recently began
    to get worse, with a burning sensation a lot of the time. If I bump it, the
    pain is excruciating. Also I noticed just this week that my nail is turning
    white. I am 67 years old, and have a little rheumatoid arthritis in my fingers.
    I have tried for months to get in to see my doctor. They have a habit of
    consistently cancelling, so I have been trying to deal with this myself.

    Added:
    • Did you have an x-ray at the time it was crushed? If not, you may want to go to an urgent care or ER if your doctor can’t see you.

      Added:
  178. Lia

    Hi, I’m 11 years old and this morning I was playing with my brother and we hid in his closet. And he closed the door all the way with my pinky in it. The only part inbetween the door was the skin right under my nail. When I looked at it both sides of my finger had blood pools under the skin and the skin right under my nail tore but wasn’t deep. I dipped it in water with ice but it stung so bad I couldn’t put it in. I also put an antibiotic or Neosporin on the torn skin and put a band-aid. Throughout the morning I kept crying because of how bad it hurt. Then the burning and stinging feeling dulled but wasn’t completely gone. Currently it’s nighttime and the dull feeling is still there. It hurts when ever I move it. I’m worried that my pinky is broken. And it hasn’t been straight at all today because it hurts when I try to straighten it. My finger feels like it has its own heartbeat and every time it beats there is a slight pinch of pain. And also this morning my finger was numb and felt as if it had fallen asleep like your leg or foo does. Will it stay straight forever if I don’t move it? When will the blood under the skin go away and when will everything heal? Should I go to the doctor? Any advice?

    Added:
  179. Wes

    Hi, not sure this will get anywhere looking at the last date here. Let me say that I’m seeing a hand specialist today, but I’m not hopeful. I smashed (and cut) the tip of my middle finger around 3 years ago. The tip, which was nearly cut all the way through was stitched and I was told that “they” didn’t see any fractures. Once it finally healed, I still couldn’t play the guitar because of severe pain (sharp). It was around a year and a half later that I finally picked up my guitar and noticed that I hardly had any pain when I pushed on the strings(talk about excited!). Anyways; I started playing again and the pain is slowly but surely coming back. It is now to the point that it is severely affecting my ability to play. Any idea’s?
    Thank you,
    Wes

    Added:
  180. Rachel

    My 20 month old son and I were just about to go for a walk when I realized his jacket was in the car. We went to go get it, my car has to be unlocked from the front to be able to unlock the back doors, he’s been getting into wanting to sit on the front seat so naturally I’m trying to get him away to shut the door. Success. As he whined because I wouldn’t let him in the front seat, I went in the back door to grab his jacket, when I closed the door he had his fingers where the two doors meet which ended up pinching his little fingers. He got a scratch under one, and both are now swollen. How much icing should I do? And when should I be concerned about a fracture? He seems to be bending them alright but we’ve only been cuddling and watching a movie.

    Added:
  181. Francisco

    I was riding a mechanical bull and I fell, but the rope I was holding on was tied around my hand and the tip of my thumb. It hurt at the moment, but I forgot about it after a while. Well my thumb started really hurting 2 days later and I could apply pressure or it would hurt like crazy. I didn’t go to a doctor because I would think it was just bruised and my fingernail was just fine. At the moment my thumb doesn’t hurt at all and have full movement…. but…..I started to notice the sides of my thumb are coming out flatter and thicker. I have narrow nails on all my fingers but like I said now the root of the nail is coming out wider and it looks and feels weird. Can anyone tell me whats going on?

    Added:
  182. Elijah

    I was shutting a non motorized garage door and while doing it the door started to slam down so i quickly went to grab the handle, but instead I missed and my pinky got caught in between two of the foldable panels and so I kept my cool and lifted the door back up and pulled my pinky out, but it hurts a lot and I instantly felt and saw blood flow inside the nail. What should I do?

    Added:
    • Hi Elijan,

      That really sounds like it hurts. Do you think the finger might be broken? Is so, it would be wise to get it checked out. Either way, icing it would help reduce the swelling and that’s a good thing.

      Note: I’m not Dr. Greene, just a concerned person who can feel your pain!

      Added:
  183. Shivam Thakur

    Will the bluish color go away on its own? If yes,then how long will it take?

    Added:
    • Jen

      Yes, it will. If it’s a child, let them take a couple of long baths and the blood will be washed out from under the nail. If it’s an adult, do dishes by hand and it will get cleaned out. When wet for a long period of time, the skin and nail of the finger softens and the movement of water will wash it away.

      Added:
  184. Farhia Mustafa

    I am the kind of person that can’t stand any hair in foods or drink. So it happened, I saw a hair in my drink. I was so close in vomiting and ran to the toilet when I decided to close the door my middle finger was there and I shut it. It hurts me so much. It’s only been a night and it’s gone purple. There is blood in the nail and in the finger. I can’t straighten or bend the top third of my finger. Shall I go to the hospital or would it cure itself.

    Added:
    • Bushra

      Go hospital immediately.

      Added:
    • It would be wise to have it checked. It may heal on its own, but it may benefit from intervention.

      Added:
  185. Jessica

    3 weeks ago I dropped a very heavy couch on my finger, I panicked and pulled my finger out from in between the couch and the cement quickly because it was being smashed. It tore the whole nail and nail bed out. I went to a hospital and found that the tip of my finger had been broken as well. They reinserted the nail back into my cuticle and put glue around it to hold it in place. Since then my nail is very wiggly. Would this be due to new nail growth already pushing the old nail out of its way as it grows? Or is it more likely that it’s just dead and trying to fall off and the nail won’t grow back?

    Added:
  186. Lillie

    I’m not sure if my finger is smashed or broken, so I had a softball practice and we practiced batting. I was up to bat, and the pitching machine went I guess you could say crazy! It threw an inside pitch and I hit the ball with my thumb and hit my finger pretty good! It started to turn black and my finger is still throbbing/swelling. It hit right in between the bottom of my nail and my knuckle. Any suggestions?

    Added:
  187. Mike

    I shut my thumb in the car door 3 weeks ago, by the time I was seen I had to leave for work and they simply told me to leave it and the nail would drop off. As I said it has been 3 weeks, it’s still 70% black but no pain, should I try to bleed it myself or will a new nail form in the coming weeks?

    Added:
  188. larry robinson

    I hit my finger at work yesterday and came home immediately. I didn’t put anything cold on it and just went to bed. The front of my finger was already swollen, blood already under my finger nails, a blood clot and it was bluish purple and really really hurts. What do I do? It’s my left ring finger.

    Added:
  189. lee

    Hi Dr Greene! Yesterday my sister slammed the car boot on my middle finger nail. It is painful at certain times and there is throbbing here and there.. Everything I touch with the middle finger is completely sensitive & numb!I iced it when I got home and ran it under cold water. It started to swell up and since I have acrylics I can see how its purple & yellow under neath it. I’m not sure if I should keep icing it, leave it open, or keep it closed with a band aid! :(

    Added:
  190. Tiestan

    Hello, I smashed my finger nail about three months ago, after a while it started to lift, I noticed a new nail growing underneath it. I trimmed the nail, and some of it is still attached, and it hurts to try and get it out. Because of the exposed nail bed near it. Will the new nail push the small section of the old nail out? Or how does this work?

    Added:
    • princess

      It’s been about that long since I slammed my thumb. The nail still hasn’t fallen off. What do i do?

      Added:
  191. Gilbert

    I’m using my dads account so I’m a 10 year old girl but well I slammed my finger on my brothers closet door and it isn’t yellow or falling but it’s purple and so r the rest of my nails my mom just said not to put in cold water like u said n my pinky still hurts ? idk what to do…?

    Added:
  192. kenny

    My one year old smashed his finger but after the swelling went down it looks like puss or some type of fluid is in the tip of his finger what does that mean some one please help

    Added:
  193. gage

    I smashed my finger with a skate board its a dark ed in most spots but other spots are somewhat normal when I swim the water soften the skin and blood can ease out a bit it doesn’t hurt just I don’t want it to snag or anything what should I do?
    Help!

    Added:
  194. Gerry

    Thumb is very swollen and black from having it slammed in the ladder compartment of a boat. Throbbing down the hand.

    Added:
  195. meagan

    We had a really old t.v from the thrift store and it fell on my fingers. It left a deep cut on my middle finger. But the cut and fingers nails are really sore and I can’t put pressure on it. How long will this take to heal?

    Added:
    • jake

      1 to 6 months I’ve been through the same

      Added:
  196. DJ

    Damn! I slammed my finger inside of the incinerator door. Immediately it turn a dark blue under the nail. The pain is now exerting out of my fingertips -not to mention there is sever swelling. I iced the injured finger for 30 minutes directly afterwards. Waking up the next day the pain have increased. The aesthetics of my hand is gruesome. My ride into NY on The Path was unbearable. I had to dodge the conductor- Carl, who has a crush on me. Luckily my face sits so attracting the attention of other men onto the train is what I consider “light work.” When I arrived at work I showed Katherine my hand- she gagged- oohed and ahhed.” followed by a ” Oh my God Dee!”. I replied I know … I know.

    I called to CITY MD to schedule a appointment. The Front Desk representative informed me there is a 10 minute waiting time. I gagged. I need to be seen now. ( bit of a dramatic queen. I know.)

    Katherine did make me feel better only for a slight second. Next thing I know a BBM audio was recorded to Paola describing the appearance of my hand.

    A few chuckles later and the pain is still there.

    At times like this I wish Bae (not misspelled) was here , but that’s another story though.

    Anyways I’m off to City MD wish me luck.

    I stopped at The Front Desk at work to let Jim know I was stepping out to be seen at the Doctor’s office. I showed him my finger he asked ” what the hell happened to you?” I proceeded to tell him he followed me into the back office read this article then replied ” they may have to cut your finger off.”

    Jim can be mean at times. I’m unbothered though.

    Anyways I’ll be right back. Hope the Doctor and his staff are cute.

    The doctor informed me the tip of the my finger is broken… WTF- I off this!

    Added:
  197. Sar

    the car door completely shut on my two fingers. I could not move them and the turned blue immediately. I went to the doctor and he drilled holes in them to remove the blood from underneath. I have tips and silk nails on my question is should I remove my silk nails in order for them to heal or does it not matter? my nail lady told me it is better to leave them on as the silk acts as a bandage. I just would like another opinion

    Added:
  198. danielle c

    hi about 5 minutes ago I slammed my pointer and thumb finger in a really thick wooden door and in about 20 seconds it got really swollen and its throbbing but I hit just above the knuckle so my nail is fine but I cant move it… any suggestions on what I should do?

    Added:
  199. Tristan K.

    Hello, I recently slammed my middle finger between a solid wood door and a metal frame. I feel throbbing in the main when it is not elevated. A dark blueish color is underneath the nail. And I have swelling. This incident happened about two days ago. How do I reduce the swelling? Should I see a doctor to get it drilled? What should I do?

    Added:
    • danielle c

      ice it as much as you can and you should see a doctor and let him make the call because if it doesn’t need to be drilled then why drill it

      Added:
  200. Ruby

    My sister bit my middle finger out of anger a week ago (during night hours). It had been swollen for days and finally two days ago I pierced it so the blood could drain out. It has been leaking puss ever since. And today it fell off and it looks like the tip of my nail is swollen with puss. It’s a bit numb and looks deformed.

    Added:
    • I’m not a doctor, but I think you should see one.

      Added:
  201. Rachel

    I’m vacationing in TX. And I smashed my thumb the day before I board my flight back home. It purple and bloody under the nail. It hurts whenever it’s touched. I can’t even sleep because of the pain! What do I do?! ?

    Added:
    • Rachel

      Also the blood is turning turquoise please help me!!

      Added:
  202. Elaine filmore

    I mashed my tumb about a month ago I though when I got the blood under it gone it would be better but the pain is worse if I hit it it make me want to cry it hurts so bad. I don’t what to do to make it better it hurts so bad.

    Added:
    • Alexa

      This has happened to me to0 (well currently). I went to the doctor which you should always do. My friend didn’t get it checked and she didn’t treat it properly so she had to get surgery in her finger. When in doubt, SEE A DOCTOR ❤️

      Added:
  203. jasmin stuart

    I knock my tum finger on my iron window and now it hurts when i ben or try to make a fist and also its swell and i realy home its not sprane its bin hurting me from monday please help

    Added:
  204. Cheeyl

    My 17 month old daughter hit her finger on a closing screen door, it didn’t get closed In the door but hit pretty hard, this happened about 6 weeks ago. The nail looked red underneath, but today I noticed it turned black is it normal to take this long to turn black and what should I expect to happen?

    Added:
  205. Shy

    Hi! I smashed my middle finger nail in a door. It has grown half way through now. But the jammed blackish bit is peeling off from the left side of my finger while the right side is still stuck in like a normal nail. Should I try and remove this old dirty nail or let it fall out by itself? Will my new under nail grow out normal that this has happened?

    Added:
  206. melissa

    I slammed my fingers in a very heavy door and have cracked 2 nails across the middle so it was bleeding heavily. Have had x-rays and only the tip of the bone is cracked. Should I keep it wrapped and disinfect or should I leave it open to breathe? They are sore, but the pain is not unbearable.

    Added:
  207. Christina wyatt

    When I was 9 I shut my finger in a car door, it required stitches but my nail never fell off it just looked horrible. Now I’m 33 and my nail has cracked at the cuticle and has been bleeding some. Any suggestions?

    Added:
    • Rachel

      Moisturizer and nail clippers.

      Added:
  208. Rose

    I slammed my finger-toes in the an edge and my toe didn’t bled. Instead, the blood is trapped inside covered by my outer skin. There is continuous pain and I’m very much afraid because the blood is trapped inside my outer skin and won’t come out. What do I have to do to cure this? Help me please. I don’t know what to do. Many thanks. :)

    Added:
  209. Brett Sullivan

    I smashed my finger in my car door 4 days ago and it split my nail in half where it bled a lot I managed to stop the bleeding but I still see a small amount of blood on the bandage but the incident left my finger bruised on both side of my finger and I use my finger a lot at work the pain goes away more and more each day but my nail is real sensitive when coming into contact even if I barely touch it do you think I should see the Doctor or let my body take its course and let the nail heal or fall off?

    Added:
    • Brett, with dramatic tenderness of a nail injury 4 days out, I’m a fan of seeing a doctor to be sure the injury doesn’t need specific treatment – or that an infection hasn’t set in. And you might get some immediate relief. All the more so if you use your finger a lot at work.

      Added:
  210. Drasmom

    Crushed my finger last week (out fishing, went to sit on a rock which made it rock and crush my finger tip.), it bled a little. For the 2 days after it would throb, I would apply pressure and what appeared like puss came out, it was clear though, so I wasn’t concerned. It’s now been about 3 days, my nail has lifted off but is still connected at the cuticle, which is very annoying. It is slightly painful when I press the nail back to the skin, so I don’t want to put a band aid on it. I soaked it in Epson salt, which helped a lot…and today warm water to lift it…I just can’t get it off! Any help would be awesome!

    Added:
  211. Ewelina Sambok

    I trapped my finger more than month ago. the pain was so bad I went to doctors and they pierced a hole in my nail to realise the pressure. atm the pain is gone but my nail didn’t come off neither is growing.

    Added:
  212. When pain, numbness, or swelling isn’t clearly improving within 3 days, it’s a good time to get it checked out (besides the reasons for getting it checked right away listed in the article above).

    Added:
  213. Marissa

    I slammed my finger in the door and I left it for a couple of days an the blood didn’t go away so I took a needle and stuck it through and the blood came out and now three days later the blood came back and I don’t know what to do!

    Added:
    • Marissa

      Also my finger is still swollen and it has a numb feeling and it’s been six days since it happend

      Added:
  214. anndrea

    I shut my index finger in the car door…it’s been five days now and my finger is still numb what should I do now?

    Added:
  215. Dolly

    Hi Doc,
    I slammed my thumb on my car door 3 days ago. Now its getting gray color. I am taking ibuprofen 800mg — my left over meds before. I can still move, but pain still there. What should I do? Hate hospital possible.

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  216. juanita

    When a child gets their fingers smashed does their finger become extended and deformed when they become older if its not treated on time

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  217. Linda miller

    Smashed left big toe over yr ago nail has grown but it really hurts on the top don’t know what to do doesn’t look like ingrown nail

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  218. Joaquin

    Hi, thank you for sharing this great article. If the nail hasn’t grown so far after 4 months and still seems uniform grow and abnormal look, what doctor is the best option to visit? a general doctor? a podiatry? is there any specialty? I am afraid my daughter caused her a fungal infection as she has been biting the old nail to try to remove it and accelerate the process. Any guidance will be highly appreciated!

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  219. Rohan

    Recently I was having fun at park and was playing at the swings.Unfortunately I fell down and my finger had might struck with a brick and now the blood is collected under nail.It is looking little purplish.Also something like puss is coming out.What shall I do now?Yes,it hurts.

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  220. Jeanne carter

    Two days ago a heavy table with connected bench seats slammed down on the tips of my middle and ring finger they almost immediately turned black on one side with blood forming under the nail on other side they are swollen twice their normal size and numb.
    Is it possible to break the very tips of fingers? Should I go to doctor? Is there really anything that can be done.?

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  221. steven

    i smashed my thumb while playing hockey and cut it right under the nail. Nail is black and thumb swollen. How do I go to sleep without rolling on it? Please help! It hurts since 9am and its 11pm ahhhhhh

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  222. Dave

    I crushed my finger at work,breaking my finger tip.

    I had blood under my nail, but no real need to release the blood (no pain from the nail), just my break. Anyway, now my nail is coming off just hanging on by the skin at the bottom of the nail. My question is, my nail bed has a lump of skin, is this normal? As I just assumed it would be flat bed. Also do I cover up my finger to stop my nail being caught, and if so what would you recommend?

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    • Ancil Mohammed

      I’m seeing the same thing…any choices or cures here? What should i do?

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  223. yuri

    I slammed my thumb with my car door, as of right night my thumb is swollen. It’s been like this for three days. I can fold it, but my nail looks gray from the inside, what should I do?

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  224. Diamond

    I slammed my pinky in my car door sometime in January. The pain was impeccable, and it stung. I looked online and read blogs and most of them said, puncture your nail with a hot tool, such as a needle or safety pin and the other said it will fall off in a couple weeks.

    I didn’t want a weird looking finger nail so I decided to let it fall off. I waited and waited and waited into the third week in February. I hit my pinky on a light switch and it cut the nail down really far, I saw the old dry blood and was disgusted that I walked around for a month or so with the dry blood in my nail.

    I wasn’t thinking and took a safety pin to clean the dry blood. Almost my whole nail was covered in blood. I did this about two to three weeks ago and my nail is shockingly still attached, although I dettached it from the nail bed without thinking. Will my nail fall off? Will it reattached to my nail bed? How do I keep it clean? I’m so worried, I’ll get an inffection. I read on a blog that as the nail grows out, it’ll start to reattach, but it could take months. Please help!! I don’t know if I should go to the doctor. Thanks.

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  225. clarissa

    My nail was smashed about 2months ago…
    It is currently black and red, I’d assume the black is dry blood. It has started to bother me & stings.
    Any recommendations?

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  226. Ashley

    I slammed the car door on the tip of my index finger a few hours ago. At first, I couldn’t feel it, but it was throbbing like crazy. When the numbness went away a few minutes after, it started to hurt and swell at the pad of my finger. The nail isn’t cracked, and I don’t think there’s blood, but purple bruising and redness are present. I’ve been keeping an ice pack on it, going outside to be in the cold air, and holding my hand up above my heart to relieve some of the pain and throbbing. I also took a few ibuprofen.

    What’s concerning me is how difficult it is for me to move the finger without feeling 1) tingling throughout the finger and down to my wrist 2) hottness, like a burn, but not as intense and it hits me in waves 3) tightness, like the skin under my nail is swelling maybe? Is this normal? Another thing is the nail colour.. even though I’m sure that’s normal, I just want to be sure. I actually felt like I lost the tip of my finger at first because the door completely shut on it. I had to get my boyfriend to look for me because I was terrified. This is the first time this has happened so I’m sorry if I’m just being paranoid.

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    • Claire

      Hi Ashley. I experienced the exact same thing a week before you… Only I was alone at the time. What’s happened with yours? Mine is fractured-comminuted meaning split in more than 2 pieces, at the distal tuft of the Middle finger. My nail appears now to be lifting up & I’m freaking out!!! I am still experiencing strange nerve pain in the adjoining fingers & numbness in the middle finger from the nail up.

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  227. bell

    If your finger was crused by the window will it be okay with ice pack?

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  228. Allison M

    I smashed my finger in the car door around November and blood collected under the nail. I never drained the nail instead waiting for it to either fall off or grow out. Currently it’s growing out as my new nail under it is growing in. The issue I’m having is that there is a large gap or ridge between the two nails. It appears as though there is a hole in the nail.

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  229. y2kbytz

    What happens if blood is trapped under the nail, but a doctor’s visit is never attended?

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  230. Morgan

    My sister has a Vaseline rstrip stuck from her previous incident within the nail it is trying to take the skin off and I need answers her nail is completely off and I need answers fast plz help

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  231. christina

    I had an encapsulated infection on my index finger. They ended up surgically removing it.

    My question — I still have my finger nail. It is yellow and loose and I can clearly see the new nail underneath it. There is pressure as well.

    What do I do? Leave the old nail, trim it, pull it off, see my Dr.? The finger has been injured since October, pre-surgery.

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  232. Andre

    I slammed my thumb in car door and now my nail is purple and swollen and throbbing I think it has pus. How can I drain it?

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  233. Brandi

    My boyfriend smashed his pinky really bad in car door. It has swollen 3 times the normal size. The nail is all purple and blue. But the skin is turning white. What does he need to do?

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  234. Tristan lannom

    How long would it be to lose your fingernail if you dropped an 80 inch box TV on it December 11, 2014?

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  235. Meagan Beilstein

    I am a 45 year old woman that has smashed her finger last month and getting married in a month and it happens to be the finger next to my ring finger. Currently the nail bed is almost completely black but does not hurt. My question is I have been using gel nails is this ok or should I have not been wearing anything so that it can get more air to heal faster? Lastly, should I have a Dr. remove the nail as it is cracking at the bed I hope in receiving a new nail? Please email me. Many thanks!

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    • nick

      You need to put a hole in your nail to relieve pressure before the nail dies. By putting wraps or paint on your nail you are doing the opposite and it sounds like your nail may already be dead.

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    • Don

      I trapped my finger in a door and took my nail off. It was not very nice it ripped my nail straight off my little finger. I went to the doctor.

      To be honest all I would do is leave it alone and keep it covered up till your nail grows back. I would use gel nails for your wedding day. I would put a flesh colour covering on it. It will still get fresh air to it even if it’s covered up.

      I asked at the doctor — I’ve had mine covered up for 3 months now and it’s been healing fine, just waiting for my nail to grow back. I would say just leave it alone it will heal on its own just keep it covered up till its fully healed. It’s worked for me up to now. Try and do all your other nails with gel to make them look good. Hope this helps.

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  236. Bianca Williams

    I smashed my finger on an onion chopper and i have artificial nails. Help!!

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  237. amber

    I smashed my pinkie finger on my left hand a little bit of blood has build up under the nail but it’s not black or blue it’s on the other side of my finger that has turned purple and swollen I don’t think I got the bone but it does hurt and numb what can I do?

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    • Amber

      Ice it as much as you can.

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  238. Tracey Marie Smitt

    My son was with his babysitter and a few days ago, her two year old daughter “smashed his finger in the door.” She didnt tell me about it and I didnt find out until I happened to notice it myself. It looked like a burn. Not like his thumb had been smashed. So I asked her about it but she said it was smashed. In the past few days, the swelling has gone down and he seems to using it normally now. However, his thumb skin is peeling profusely all over. He doesnt seem to be in pain, but is the peeling normal?

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    • Eric Kovak

      She lied. That is a burn. Peeling should not be a result of trauma to a finger.
      If it is smashed, you should see swelling going down after about a week, and continued bruising/coagulated blood under the nail, but no peeling.
      What this sounds like is a first degree burn. Any number of things could have happened, but I would re-address your babysitter with the knowledge she is lying.

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      • Ummna

        That is not true. So, before you accuse your sitter of lying, know that my 20 month old had his finger smashed in the door almost a year ago. It never grew back the same and it did peel. I clipped this nail 3 days ago and it began peeling again!

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        • Eric Kovak

          What I was focusing more on was the lack of swelling, despite the continual peeling. Your child’s finger, from what I can see in the picture, is indeed still swollen and obviously looks like a smashed finger (damage to the nail, etc.)
          I recognize now that yes, peeling is a possible result of a smashed finger.
          Peeling as a result of trauma is caused when the skin becomes so taught and swollen from edema that some of the skin cells die. This layer of dead skin then peels away.
          I will agree that it is possible that the baby sitter is telling the truth, but due to the fact that the mother is so highly suspicious of the incident, and identified the finger as looking like it was burnt, I suspected that it was something else and should be addressed with the sitter. I also listed a nice account of other symptoms of a smashed finger, and if any of those were present, a burn is increasingly less likely. If Ms. Smitt’s child’s finger looks like the one posted above, you got a nice smashed finger on your hands.

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          • Ummna

            Good point! And it’s always better to go with your instinct when it comes to a child.

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  239. Theresa

    I got my finger mashed in between wood and metal while chopping wood. . The pad of my finger I now extremely swollen and engorged. It is swollen to capacity. What should I do to alleviate the discomfort?

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  240. Breka Thurman

    so what happen was everything okay cuz my is like that right now

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  241. Breka Thurman

    my smashed my finger alost a month ago now i can see where the nail is coming off underneath but its still attached on the sides but its green by the cuticle is this normal. An its hurting pretty bad.

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