Health Information
Nail Problems and Injuries
Home Treatment
Home treatment can help relieve pain, prevent infection, and promote healing. To relieve pain from an injury to the nail, try the following:
- Apply ice and elevate the injured nail area as soon as possible after the injury.
- Trim a Reference torn or detached nail, and tape the nail in place.
- Try to Reference drain blood from under the nail Opens New Window Reference
Opens New Window if you have pain. Note: Do not drain blood from under your nail if you have
Reference diabetes Opens New Window,
Reference peripheral arterial disease Opens New Window, or an
Reference immune system Opens New Window problem, or if you think a bone is
broken. - Try soaking your toe and using a small pad of wet cotton to help an Reference ingrown toenail heal on its own.
- Trim a Reference hangnail so you don't tear your skin.
- Take off an Reference artificial nail if you are having problems with it.
- Try gloves or lotions to protect Reference weak, brittle, or splitting nails.
- Watch for any signs of a Reference skin infection around a nail.
| Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever pain: |
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Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine. |
| Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
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Symptoms to watch for during home treatment
Reference Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:
- Reference Signs of infection Opens New Window develop.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent despite home treatment.
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
