subungal hematoma, what to expect next? - Nail Problems Message Board

nina741 · 06-02-2009, 08:10 PM

after a hiking trip i developed what i now know to be a subungal hematoma on the greater part of my big toenail. the swelling and pain subsided. a few weeks later, my toenail hasn't grown out except for a dark red sort of indentation at the very base (where nail meets cuticle), at the injured part of the nail. i think the nail must be detaching itself, but does it take this long? it's been 7 weeks. is this to be expected? and more importantly, will it grow back?

Marti · 06-03-2009, 06:12 AM

It can take up to a year for the nail to replace itself from cuticle to free edge - especially with a big toe nail. The larger the nail, the longer it takes. The nail plate will detach at the point of the hematoma because the nail plate was forced from the nail bed due to the build up of blood. Once detached, it will not re-attach. As new nail plate cells are developed in the Matrix, they will push the damaged portion forward and eventually off the free edge.

nina741 · 06-15-2009, 04:04 AM

thanks! there does seem to be a tiny bit of growth after the injury. it hurts once in a while but i figure it's part of the growing out process. i read that it's bad to use band aids while waiting for the nail to grow out. is first aid paper tape or micropore tape an okay alternative?