“Is my toe fine or do I need to go to the doctor? (would prefer not to)”
So I kicked something really hard and gave myself a subungual hematoma. However it has been like 2+ weeks and there is no swelling, no pain, I do not feel any pressure I can move my toe and everything. Essentially my toe FEELS completely fine but is it? Would I know for a fact I have an infection? However, I am always paranoid about injuries so I keep looking up what symptoms of infection are. It says redness swelling and pus is a sign. The nail underneath was purple however it seems the purple may be going away. The closer to the bottom of the nail the more normal it looks but in the middle of my toenail the dark purple bruise is starting to fade into more of a reddish-purple but it's not like a vibrant red and I am just scared if it is infected or if it is just my paranoia. I feel like I can see my skin color coming back in the middle but what if I am wrong and it is infected? How do I know and what do I do? If there is a way to treat this without going to the doctor I will do whatever it takes.
Male | 24 years old
14 Answers
DermapathologistDermatologist
Hi! Pain, swelling, drainage, fever, redness are all signs of infection. If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, I would seek an evaluation.
Your hematoma is dry and a new nail is growing in that replaces the injured nail. No doctor visit is needed.
Typically we developed a subungual hematoma the discoloration under the toenail can last for several months. As time goes by the discoloration will change colors and will slowly grow out as the new nail grows out. Typically with infections you have swelling, drainage, and/or pain. If you're concerned about possible infection I would have it evaluated by a physician just to make sure that there is nothing else wrong.
Jonathan M. Kletz, DPM
Texas Foot WorksDallas, Athens and Gun Barrel City Texas214-340-8885
Jonathan M. Kletz, DPM
Texas Foot WorksDallas, Athens and Gun Barrel City Texas214-340-8885
Hello, Thank you for your question. We have to evaluate you and take foot x-rays if needed.
If you don’t have any pain just keep an eye on it. It may take a few months for the nail to grow out and if not painful the new mail growing in will tell you how much damage has been done. If it grows back healthy this could take 6 months to a year to be sure but in any event, going to the doctor will not change anything and unless there is something you want to be changed there is no need to see a doctor
Jan David Tepper, DPM, FACFAS
CEO Family Foot & Ankle Center
984 West Foothill Boulevard, Suite B
Upland, California 91786
O 909-920-0884
F 909/920-9810
WWW.drtepper.com
JDTDPM@aol.com
Jan David Tepper, DPM, FACFAS
CEO Family Foot & Ankle Center
984 West Foothill Boulevard, Suite B
Upland, California 91786
O 909-920-0884
F 909/920-9810
WWW.drtepper.com
JDTDPM@aol.com
I would recommend that you see a podiatrist asap, exam with xray, etc...
Contusions, subungual hematomas, and other injuries are not 'accompanied' by infection. It is highly unlikely you have an infection, but the signs of infection are redness, pain, swelling, purulence/drainage, openings in the skin. A subungual hematoma will darkly discolor the nail from the blood/bleeding underneath, but no action usually needs to be taken. If there is no pain, no swelling, no redness, no drainage, you just have to be patient. It will take 7-9 months for the hematoma to grow out.
Unless you have neuropathy you can probably go by pain level. No pain indicates no infection.
The bleeding under the nail should resolve but may take upwards of 6 months, as a new nail will grow in and the bleeding will migrate to the tip of the toe. I recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment options to be on the safe side.
It sounds like a subungual hematoma which will get better in time. The bruising will fade and the mail color will slowly return to normal. The signs of infection you looked up are correct and it does not sound like an infection. If you do see any redness, pus it have any pain you should see a doctor otherwise this will likely resolve on its own at this point since
It has been several weeks. With that being said an X-ray to be sure there is no fracture would be a good idea.
It has been several weeks. With that being said an X-ray to be sure there is no fracture would be a good idea.
Hello. You have a subungual hematoma which will grow out with the nail with time. No treatment is needed unless you have pain. An infection will manifest as pain/redness/swelling.
The hallmark of infection is pain.
If your description is accurate, then indeed you have a subungual hematoma and if it’s asymptomatic, there’s no need to see a doctor about it.
If your description is accurate, then indeed you have a subungual hematoma and if it’s asymptomatic, there’s no need to see a doctor about it.
If you had an infection your toe would be pounding which would produce an intolerable pain. I don`t think I am mistaken by saying you do not have the symptoms of an infection. When an infection is under the nail, it will make the size of your toe grow due to the pus and that would make you scream.
There’s no answer that I can give you. I think if you have concerns that you need to see a doctor. Self treatment never is the right answer
