|
| Fig. 68.6 Subungual hematoma. (Courtesy of the Walter Reed
Army Medical Center teaching files.) |
By far, the most common cause is trauma to
the nail bed. Most subungual hematomas are
accompanied by a throbbing pain secondary to the
accumulation of blood below the nail plate, which
exerts pressure on the underlying bed (Fig. 68-6).
An effective and simple treatment is to simply
pass the tip of a heated paper clip through the
nail into the hematoma. Pressure relief and
lessening of pain rapidly ensue, making you an
instant hero!
