Fingernail Crush Injury

[Trekka]

It's currently March. In mid-december I caught my thumb fingernail in a heavy door. It was painful like any stubbed nail but the stinging subsided in a few minutes and there was no visible injury. About two weeks later, I noticed that as the nail was growing out from the base, part of it had been dented, I guess where the door had hit the nail (under the skin before growing out). Gradually, it appeared as if an entirely new nail was growing underneath the point of the dent and forcing off the old nail. However, the major problem is that the second nail has been growing in very deformed. The old nail is now almost completely off the nail bed but the new nail is bumpy, has a large mound at the center of my fingernail, is white and pink, irregularly shaped. What the heck is the issue? What should I do? I've had the thing in a bandaid for 4 months, it's so disgusting to look at.

[girlgato]

Damage is done at the nail's root and matrix when an injury like this happens. Very common to see new nail growing out just like you said - bumpy and deformed. See what happens after the nail grows all the way out. Unfortunately, sometimes if the injury is really bad, damage can be permanent. (It usually takes 6-9 months for the nail to grow out fully).

[This message has been edited by girlgato (edited 03-17-2003).]

[Marti]

Anytime there is damage to the Matrix, it can permanently disfigure the emerging nail plate. Since the nail plate is 'born' in the matrix, the emerging new cells are very soft and plump. As they grow forward, they lose their inner material and become hardened. there are three main layers to the nail plate that are born in the matrix. the lowest portion of the matrix developes the cells that comrpise the portion of the nail that binds to the nail bed. The middle section of the matrix forms the center portion of cells, and the uppermost portion of the matrix forms the cells that we can see and touch.

When damage is done to the matrix, it effects all the layers of cell development and can result in the nail plate deformity you are describing. This damage might be permanent, however, you can help the nail 'heal' by twice daily applications of Solar Oil which is available in fine nail salons or through Ulta Cosmetic outlets nationwide. Solar Oil contains Sweet Almond Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Jojoba Oil and vitamin E oil. This conbination of oils will help to condition and moisturize the nail plate layers and draw the healing and anti-aging properties of the vitamin E in after it.