$Unique_ID{BRK00683}
$Pretitle{Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Black Spot on a Banged Finger Nail}
$Subject{blood clot hematoma first aid}
$Volume{L-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Black Spot on a Banged Finger Nail


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QUESTION:  Recently, while trying to accomplish some home repairs, I banged
the nail on my finger instead of the nail in the board.  Now there is an ugly
black spot on my nail.  Can this be related to the dangerous type of cancer
which causes black spots?

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ANSWER:  Your problem is a very common one and most amateur carpenters have
experienced it at one time or another.  The medical name for the black spot is
"subungual hematoma."  Those fancy words mean that you have a blood clot
underneath your nail which, since the nail is transparent, appears as if it is
in the nail.  Initially, the pain must have been quite intense created by the
pressure of the clot on the sensitive nail bed.  A physician can help to
relieve such pain by drilling a small hole in the nail and letting the
accumulated blood seep out.  That's a little late for you now and you'll just
have to put up with the black spot until the nail grows out.  The average
fingernail grows from 0.5 to 1.2 mm. per week and full regrowth of the nail
may require from four to six months.  When this injury occurs to the great
toe, it's frequently called "tennis toe" and in that case you would have had
to wait from twelve to eighteen months for full regrowth.  Fortunately, this
black spot has nothing to do with the skin cancer called melanoma, a very
serious tumor which must be totally removed surgically.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
