Wondering why your toes are red? You may have an underlying skin condition like a fungal infection, cellulitis, or an allergic reaction. Other causes of a red, inflamed toes include trauma from an injury to the foot or arthritis.
See your GP or podiatrist (foot care specialist) if your ingrown toenail is badly inflamed, bleeding or has pus coming from it, because it may be infected. It’s also important to seek medical advice if you have diabetes and an ingrown toenail. Having diabetes could affect how your toenail heals.
Subsequently, Why is the side of my nail bleeding?
In this Article. Your doctor may call it a “subungual hematoma” if you have bleeding under a fingernail or toenail. It usually happens if the nail gets crushed in an injury. It can cause symptoms such as intense pain and throbbing as blood collects under the nail.
Also, Why is the side of my big toe red and swollen?
Ingrown toenail Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. The result is pain, redness, swelling and, sometimes, an infection. Ingrown toenails usually affect your big toe. Often you can take care of ingrown toenails on your own.
Why is my toe bleeding from underneath nail?
Subungual hematoma is the medical term for bleeding and bruising under the nail. This is usually the result of some kind of injury to the blood vessels under the nail bed. For example, blood vessels can break and leak blood into the area underneath the nail when a door slams on a finger or a heavy object crushes a toe.
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How do you get rid of an infection on the side of your toenail?
Soak your toe in a warm foot bath with unscented Epsom salt. Do this several times a day for the first few days. Always dry your foot completely after soaking. Soaking your ingrown or infected toe will help relieve the pain and pressure of an infection. It can also help to draw out pus from your toe.
What does an infected toe look like?
You might have an infected toe if you notice: Redness. Soreness or pain. A pus-filled blister, or pus that drains from your toe.
What happens if you leave blood under your nail?
If left untreated, a simple subungual hematoma typically grows out with the lengthening nail plate and resolves on its own, although sometimes subungual hematomas can result in your nail falling off (onycholysis). Until the nail grows out, however, you can expect weeks to months of blue-black discoloration.
Will an infected toenail heal itself?
They will not go away without intervention, but people can usually treat them at home over a few days. A person should speak to a doctor if: the ingrown toenail does not improve with home care. they have an underlying health condition that affects the feet, such as diabetes.
Will blood under toenail disappear?
Unless the area of bleeding is very small, an affected nail will usually fall off on its own after several weeks because the pooled blood has separated it from its bed. A new fingernail can regrow in as little as 8 weeks. A new toenail may not fully regrow for about 6 months.
What happens if you don’t drain subungual hematoma?
If blood is spontaneously draining from the hematoma, drainage of subungual hematoma is generally not required. You should not try draining your subungual hematoma at home as improper drainage may result in infections or permanent damage to the nail bed.
How do you get rid of blood under your nail?
– Straighten a paper clip, and heat the tip in a flame until it is red-hot.
– Place the tip of the paper clip on the nail and let it melt through. …
– Do not push or apply pressure on the paper clip. …
– Go slowly, and reheat the clip as necessary. …
– As soon as the hole is complete, blood will escape and the pain will be relieved.
What happens if you leave a toe infection untreated?
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can cause an infection in the bone in your toe. A toenail infection can also lead to foot ulcers, or open sores, and a loss of blood flow to the infected area. Tissue decay and tissue death at the site of infection are possible.
What should I do if my toenail is bleeding?
– When to See a Health Care Provider. Go to an emergency room or call a health care provider quickly if: …
– Stop Bleeding. Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth.
– Clean and Protect the Wound. If the nail is torn, use sterile scissors to cut off rough edges to prevent further injury. …
– Treat Symptoms. …
– Follow Up.
How do you treat a bleeding nail?
– When to See a Health Care Provider. Go to an emergency room or call a health care provider quickly if: …
– Stop Bleeding. Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth.
– Clean and Protect the Wound. If the nail is torn, use sterile scissors to cut off rough edges to prevent further injury. …
– Treat Symptoms. …
– Follow Up.
How long does an infected toenail take to heal?
With proper treatment, the outlook is usually very good. In most cases, an acute paronychia heals within 5 to 10 days with no permanent damage to the nail. Rarely, very severe cases may progress to osteomyelitis (a bone infection) of the finger or toe.
Why does my nail split on the side?
A split nail is usually caused by physical stress, nutrient deficiency, or wear and tear. Split nails can be a problem, especially if you work with your hands. Although split nails are completely normal and sometimes unavoidable, there are ways you can prevent split nails in the future.
What do you do if you have blood under your toenail?
– Keep the affected hand or foot elevated (reduces the swelling).
– Apply ice wrapped in a cloth over the affected finger/toe.
– Compress the nail by wrapping a tight bandage around it (reduces the bleeding).
– Take over-the-counter analgesics to relieve the pain.
Will blood under fingernail disappear?
The trapped blood will eventually be reabsorbed, and the dark mark will disappear. This can take 2–3 months for a fingernail, and up to 9 months for a toenail. If there is severe damage to the nail bed, the nail may be malformed or cracked when it grows back. Or, it may fail to regrow.
What do you do if the side of your toe is swollen?
Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or a podiatrist (foot specialist) if the redness, swelling, and other symptoms don’t go away with home treatment. See your doctor right away if: You have a fever or chills. You notice red streaks on the skin leading away from the infected area.
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