Nail bed injuries may be troublesome as they are not only accompanied by severe pain but also they may end in a number of other nail conditions. If you are in Canada or somewhere else, being aware of the reasons, treatments, and preventive measures is the best strategy for taking proper care of your nails. This article provides a comprehensive guide aimed at nail bed injuries, providing a wide definition of it with the help of useful tips and advice from experts on how to treat a nail bed injury.
What is a Nail Bed Injury?
The nail bed refers generally to the tissue found below the fingernails. Nail bed injury is due to the injury taking place under and surface of the nail.
Causes of Nail Bed Injuries
The nail bed can be severely injured due to different incidents that cause both the nail and the tissue around it to get hurt:
- Accidents like slamming your finger in a door or sports-related injuries can cause trauma to the nail bed.
- Conditions like nail fungus and bacterial infections are the other causes of nail bed injuries.
- Besides, psoriasis and eczema, which are the two most common nail diseases, also attack the nails, thus causing nail bed injury.
Identifying a Nail Bed Injury
Discovering a nail bed injury in the early stages would keep you away from the distressing effects that ensue later on. Below are some of the characteristics of this way-out nail bed disease you must be aware of:
- The entire nail and the surrounding area may be painful and swollen.
- Blackish-blue or bluish blood under the nail can cause discoloration.
- The skin around the nail swells when the nail is displaced from its normal place.
- Nail deformation can be a result of trauma, such as snapping the nails or any other damage to the nail bed.
Treating a Nail Bed Injury
The treatment you need depends on how bad the injury is. Here’s a quick guide on what to do:
Immediate Care
Keep the injured finger elevated to help with swelling, apply ice to reduce swelling and numb the pain, and gently wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible.
Home Remedies
For home remedies, antibiotic ointments should be applied to the injured nail bed to protect against infection, and a sterile bandage must be used to cover the area and make sure that it is not polluted.
Medical Treatments
Properly nursing the significant nail injuries must use the assistance of a dermatologist. Dermatologists may perform procedures that are effective in healing the injured nails and bringing about their complete regeneration.
A dermatologist may clean out the broken nail through professional cleaning. However sometimes the area of the nail bed might require stitching. In case of trauma, part of the nail might even be completely removed. In more severe cases, the whole nail can be removed by the healthcare professional.
How to Heal Nail Bed Injury?
It takes time and the right care to heal a nail bed injury of any severity. Here’s how you can speed up the healing process:
Basic Nail Care
For basic nail care, the way to go is with regular cutting to keep the nails short thus reducing the chances of the nail bed getting hurt. Care for the injured nail by minimizing pressure and safeguarding it from other hits, and also be sure to maintain hygiene, which means keeping the nail and the area around it clean.
Diet and Supplements
Inclusion of Vitamin E in the diet will enhance the healing process of the nails, promoting their growth in the best possible manner, therefore, making them beneficial for nail bed health. On the other hand, Biotin fortifies nail bed health by strengthening the nails by improving their elasticity, so they do not easily break and are not much affected by external factors.
How to Avoid Nail Bed Injuries?
It is far simpler to prevent injuries than to treat them. Here are some pointers:
Protective Measures
For protective measures, wearing gloves shields your nails during risky activities, while proper footwear, such as good shoes, helps prevent toenail injuries by providing adequate support and protection against accidental impacts and pressure.
Nail Care Routine
Integrate the use of a moisturizer into your nail care routine daily in order to guarantee that both nails and cuticles are well-hydrated, preventing brittle nails. Furthermore, trim them directly parallel to the edge of the nail to prevent them from growing into the skin causing infection and swolleness.
Understanding Nail Diseases
For the most effective management and prevention of nail bed injuries gaining knowledge about nail diseases is required. The nail diseases chart is a valuable tool for providing visual examples and descriptions to help identify various nail conditions.
- A nail infection caused by fungal infection can lead to the nails becoming thickened and discolored.
- Pitted and discolored nails are usually indications of the psoriasis skin disease.
- Onycholysis, refers to the detachment of the nail from the nail bed.
- Paronychia is an infection that leads to redness, swelling, and pus next to the nail.
- Beau’s lines are the depressions that typically appear on the nails. They are the result of injury or disease.
The nail diseases chart includes visual representations that demonstrate the various nail diseases, summarizing the symptoms and causing factors that also accompany them.
When to See a Dermatologist for Nail Fungus?
If you think you have a nail fungus or any other nail disease, seeing a dermatologist in Canada is a good idea. They can provide an accurate diagnosis by identifying exactly what’s wrong and offering effective treatment by prescribing the right medication or treatment. Furthermore, talking to a dermatologist for nail fungus will help the patient with some information on how to avoid having fungal infections and at the same time, he/she can have healthy nails. Taking action quickly in the first place can prevent the disease from escalating into an advanced stage and acquiring other nails. Seeking professional help early can help prevent the condition from worsening and spreading to other nails.
Final Thoughts
Rather than waiting for nail bed injuries to occur and other nail-related issues to arise everyone should remember the importance of nail care. Setting up a routine of proper nail care, participating in sports and work activities with protective gear, and getting medical advice only when essential will make it possible for you to keep your nails healthy and strong. Regardless of whether you are in Canada or in another place, use of these suggestions will help you have beautiful and healthy nails.
FAQs
1. Can nail bed injuries cause permanent damage?
It is possible to damage the nails by the improper treatment of severe nail bed injuries and this could lead to permanent deformation. One should consult a medical professional immediately to address a nail bed injury so as not to ignore the problem.
2. How much time is taken for a nail bed injury to improve?
Minor injuries may heal in weeks, two, and severe ones usually take several months.
3. Could a nail bed injury be the cause of nail fungus?
Yes, an injured nail bed can easily become infected, making it difficult to avoid nail fungus. Keeping the nail bed dry and clean is the best means to prevent the reproduction of infections.
4. What should I do if my nail falls off its bed after an injury?
One can prevent the infection and prompt the recovery of the nail by first cleaning the wounded area, applying a bandage, and early medical consultation to a dermatologist.
