If you’ve ever stubbed your toe and ended up with a bruised, black and blue toenail, you know how painful it can be. A bruised toenail not only looks bad, but it can throb and ache for weeks. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to help your bruised toenail heal faster and reduce pain in the process.<\/p>\n
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about treating a bruised toenail and nursing it back to health.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Apply ice right after injury to reduce swelling and pain<\/b>. Bandage the toe to protect it. Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salt. Apply antibiotic ointment daily. Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed.<\/p>\n
If the toenail falls off, let the new nail grow in naturally.<\/p>\n
Toenails can easily become bruised and discolored from repeated trauma. Some of the most common causes of toenail bruising include:<\/p>\n
In most cases, toenail bruising is the direct result of blunt force trauma damaging the blood vessels underneath the nail. The toes are especially vulnerable to injury because the nails extend beyond the fleshy tip of the digits.<\/p>\n
When the tiny blood vessels under the toenail are damaged, blood leaks out and pools within the surrounding nail bed tissue. This causes the nail itself to change colors as the trapped blood oxidizes and breaks down.<\/p>\n
At first, a bruised toenail may appear red, blue, or purple as fresh blood accumulates underneath. Over the next few days, those colors will fade to brown, black, or greyish-yellow as the bruise progresses through the healing stages.<\/p>\n
The discoloration may start at the point of impact on the nail and spread outward over time. In severe cases, the entire nail can become bruised, detached and discolored. It takes around 6-12 months for a bruised nail to fully grow out and be replaced with healthy new nail tissue.<\/p>\n
If a hematoma, or pocket of clotted blood, forms under the nail, it can create pressure and throbbing pain until it is drained. Seeking prompt medical treatment for a bruised toenail can help relieve these uncomfortable symptoms.<\/p>\n
With proper care and protection of the sensitive toenails, most minor bruises will heal on their own. However, severely damaged nails may fall off completely. Consulting a podiatrist can help determine the right treatment to promote proper regrowth.<\/p>\n
One of the best ways to treat a bruised toenail in the first 48 hours after injury is to apply ice to reduce swelling and pain. Wrap some ice cubes or a cold pack in a thin towel and gently press it against the bruised toe for 10-15 minutes every few hours.<\/p>\n
The cold temperature constricts blood vessels and inhibits inflammation. Icing the toe helps minimize pain, redness, and swelling during the initial healing phase. Just be careful not to apply ice directly on the skin, as it can cause frostbites.<\/p>\n
Keeping the bruised toenail above the level of your heart is another effective way to curb swelling in the delicate tissues of the injured toe. Gravity will naturally pull excess fluid away from the toe when it is elevated. Try propping your foot up on a pillow when you are sitting or lying down.<\/p>\n
The higher you can elevate the foot, the better. Leave it elevated as much as possible in the first 48 hours after bruising the toenail.<\/p>\n
Most bruised toenails are accompanied by throbbing pain and tenderness, especially when any pressure is applied to the nail. Taking an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) provides relief by reducing inflammation and pain signals.<\/p>\n
Follow dosage instructions carefully. You can alternate the OTC meds with acetaminophen (Tylenol) for additional pain management in the acute injury phase.<\/p>\n
Bandaging and buddy taping the bruised toenail protects it from further injury as it begins to heal. Carefully place a small bandage or piece of gauze over the nail, being cautious not to press on the tender tissues underneath.<\/p>\n
Then use medical or athletic tape to gently secure the injured toe to the adjacent toe for stability and support. The buddy taping helps limit mobility of the bruised nail, which reduces pain and chance of reinjury. Leave the bandage on for a few days, changing it daily.<\/p>\n
After a couple of days, the bruising and swelling should start going down. Help speed up the healing process by soaking your foot in warm water for 10-15 minutes a few times a day. The warmth increases blood flow, reducing swelling and soothing pain (source<\/a>).<\/p>\n You can make a warm foot soak by mixing a tablespoon of Epsom salts in a large basin or bucket of warm water. The magnesium in Epsom salts may help alleviate soreness.<\/p>\n It’s important to watch for signs of infection as the nail heals, which can include increasing pain, redness, foul odor, and green or yellow drainage. If you notice infection setting in, clean the area gently with mild soap and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like Neosporin twice a day.<\/p>\nApply Antibiotic Ointment<\/h3>\n