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Blood pooled in toe nail
After wearing wrong size shoe and walking the whole day, the big toes of my feet are paining. The nail has become purple as if blood has pooled under the nail and there's constant pain, and also sudden stabbing pains. I've applied ice pack for 30 minutes but the stabbing pain increased. Suffering for 5 days. Please help
Answers (28)
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Any local doctor should be able to evaluate sub-ungual haematoma with a sterile needle.
All the best.
www.jgsr-health-education.in
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Apply ice, cold sponging,
Tab zerodol sp3 times a day after food for 3to5 days.
Need lot of patience as it will take time to go.
Use proper size of shoes.
As nail grows u cut the purple 💜 prt u cute n white nail from below comes out.
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Dear patient
It sounds like a subungual hematoma (blood collected under the nail) due to pressure from tight shoes and prolonged walking.
Since it has been 5 days and you still have constant stabbing pain, here’s what you should know:
What likely happened
Pressure from tight shoes → nail bed injury → bleeding under nail → swelling + purple/black color + throbbing pain.
🚩 Important: Do you have these?
Increasing swelling of the toe?
Redness spreading around nail?
Pus discharge?
Fever?
Severe pain not reducing at all?
If yes → you should see a doctor urgently.
What You Should Do Now
1️⃣ Pain Relief
Take Ibuprofen 400 mg after food (if no gastric/kidney issues)
OR
Paracetamol 650 mg for pain
Avoid if you have contraindications.
2️⃣ Keep Foot Elevated
Keep your foot raised when sitting or lying down to reduce pressure.
3️⃣ Do NOT Try This at Home ❌
Do not try to puncture the nail yourself with a needle or heated pin.
After 5 days, blood may have clotted, and doing it at home can cause infection.
4️⃣ When Doctor Visit Is Needed
If:
Pain is severe and throbbing
More than 50% nail is purple
You cannot wear shoes
Pain not improving after 3–4 days
A doctor can:
Do nail trephination (small hole to drain blood) — quick relief if blood still liquid
Or remove nail partially if needed
Check for toe fracture (may need X-ray)
Since it's already 5 days and still stabbing pain, I would suggest showing it to a surgeon or orthopedician.
⚠️ Important Question:
Is the nail fully purple/black or only a small area?
And is the swelling increasing or same?
Tell me these so I can guide you better.
Next Steps
do not puncture it at home through any sharp object...
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You are having subungual hematoma due to repeated trauma and constant pressure to ur toe nail bed.
Next Steps
-you need to visit a surgeon if the hematoma collection is high
-Apply ice packs thrice a day
-tab aceclofenac and paracetamol twice a day for 3 days for pain relief
-avoid wearing tight footwears
-avoid self nicking or nail cutting in that toe nail
Health Tips
Contact me anytime via practo for further consultation
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This looks like blood collected under the nail due to pressure from tight shoes. It is painful but usually settles slowly as the nail grows.
Keep the foot elevated, avoid tight footwear, and you can take a simple pain tablet if needed. Please consult me for proper diagnosis and treatment, as sometimes the blood may need to be drained.
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Go to general surgeon for adequate management.
Till then continue ice fomantation,Limb elevation and anti-inflammatory drugs like Zerodol SP twice daily.
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If you have no visible pus or inflammation, only pain and hematoma then you can apply thrombophobe ointment and take Diclofenac 75mg tablet thrice a day 8hrs apart. With T. Pan 40 before breakfast of course.
If it doesn't not start to improve in 1.5-2days must visit a surgeon for further evaluation.
Health Tips
since it's been 5days without improvement it's better not to neglect.
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Please consult for complete evaluation.
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Take voveran 50mg one every 8hours for 2 to 3 days, apply Thrombophobe ointment over the affected toe nail, 3 times daily for 3 to 4 days,, the collected hematoma will slowly resolve. If it persists, consult a surgeon for its manual removal.
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Toe nail discoloration with throbbing pain is due to subungual hematoma.If the pain severe, consult a physician in your area for a clinical examination and drainage of the hematoma.You can take OTC pain reliever like ibuprofen 600 mg as needed for temporary relief
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Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Ur symptoms point to hematoma under toe nail , which is fairly common when wrong footwear is worn or any trauma to the nail .
In the above scenario u have to :
1: rest and elevate the foot , as well as apply cold compress , if pain persists
2 take over the counter pain killers, paracetamol and ibuprofen work best
If u find any pus developing or the area of purplish hue increasing , kindly visit a surgeon / podiatrist fr further assessment of the area.
Meanwhile what can u expect to happen normally , u will find over time the purplish hue over nail decreases , turns yellowish, and later disappears.
Wear an adequate pair of footwear and make sure to have proper cushioning over nail bed if wearing pointed footwear.
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Visit a nearby doctor
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Consult to nearby general Surgeon
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Hello. From your description, this appears to be blood collected under the nail (subungual hematoma) due to pressure from tight shoes.
This can cause constant throbbing or stabbing pain because pressure builds under the nail.
Since it has been 5 days and pain is persistent, you should get it examined. Sometimes a small procedure is done to release the trapped blood and relieve pain immediately.
Next Steps
For now:
• Keep the foot elevated when resting
• Avoid tight footwear
• Do not try to puncture the nail at home
• You may take a mild pain reliever if required
Health Tips
If there is increasing swelling, redness, pus, or severe pain, seek evaluation promptly.
With proper care, it usually heals well.
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From your description, this sounds like blood collected under the nail due to pressure from the tight shoe, which can cause persistent throbbing and sharp pain. Since it has been 5 days and you’re still in significant discomfort, I would advise you to visit a nearby doctor.
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Your symptoms strongly suggest a subungual hematoma (blood trapped under the nail) caused by prolonged pressure from tight footwear.
Key indicators:
• Purple discoloration under nail
• Constant throbbing pain
• Sudden stabbing pains
• Triggered after wearing wrong-size shoes
• Persisting for 5 days
At 5 days, the pain is usually due to pressure build-up under the nail plate. The stabbing sensation happens when the trapped blood compresses nerve endings.
This is typically not dangerous, but it can be very painful.
If:
• The nail is more than 50% purple
• Pain is severe and not improving
• The toe is very tender to touch
Then pressure relief may be required.
Next Steps
✔ 1. Stop Ice Now
Ice is useful only within the first 24 hours. After 5 days, it may worsen discomfort.
✔ 2. Elevate the Foot
Keep your foot elevated when resting to reduce throbbing.
✔ 3. Pain Control
You may take:
• Paracetamol
• Or Ibuprofen (if no gastric/kidney issues)
✔ 4. Do NOT Try to Pierce the Nail at Home
Some people attempt to drain it using a needle. This can cause infection.
If pain is severe and persistent, a doctor can:
• Perform sterile nail trephination (small hole to release pressure)
This gives immediate relief.
✔ 5. Watch for Infection
Seek medical care urgently if:
• Increasing redness
• Pus
• Fever
• Swelling spreading
• Severe worsening pain
Health Tips
✔ Wear open-toe or loose footwear
✔ Keep the nail clean and dry
✔ Avoid pressure on the toe
✔ Do not cut or remove the nail
✔ The nail may eventually loosen and fall off — this is normal
✔ A new nail will grow in 4–6 months
Most subungual hematomas settle gradually, but persistent severe pain beyond 5–7 days may require simple in-clinic drainage for faster relief.
If your pain is still significant after 5 days, I recommend booking an online consultation so we can assess whether you need nail decompression and prevent unnecessary complications.
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Dr. Sowjanya Kondru
Oncologist
15 yrs exp
Hyderabad
It's subungual hematoma,(blood trapped under nail after injury) pain should reduced once pressure is relived
Next Steps
Its already 5 days and your in pain increasing, better to visit surgeon ..till then continue ice pack,limb elevation,and anti-inflammatory like aceclofen sp,l
Health Tips
Don't remove nail yourself,wear open slippers,keep toe clean and dry
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Dr. Sachin Bhiwaji Sanap
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Hingoli
Consult to surgeon for further management
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Pls consult nearby surgeon
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Dr. Namrata Singh
Anesthesiologist
13 yrs exp
New Delhi
Stop ice pack use
Elevate your foot
Avoid tight fitting footwear
Go for a physical consultation with general surgeon might be required for drainage of blood and antibiotics coverage
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Do consult
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Dr. Kamal Kumar
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rewari
Dear Patient,
Your symptoms suggest a subungual hematoma (blood collection under the nail) due to pressure from tight shoes and prolonged walking. The purple color, throbbing pain, and stabbing sensation are typical. Since it has been 5 days, the pressure may still be causing discomfort but often improves gradually as the blood reabsorbs or the nail grows out.
What you should do:
• Keep the foot elevated when resting
• Avoid tight footwear; use open or soft footwear for a few days
• Cold compress 10–15 minutes (not prolonged) 2–3 times/day
• Pain relief: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen (if no medical contraindication)
• Do not try to puncture the nail yourself (infection risk)
medical care may be needed:
• Severe throbbing pain not controlled with medicines
• Nail becoming very tense or lifting
• Signs of infection (redness, pus, fever)
• Diabetes or poor circulation history
Sometimes doctors release the trapped blood with a small sterile procedure if pain is severe — this gives immediate relief.
Consult me if pain persists or swelling increases. For further guidance and treatment, text me on Practo anytime.
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Dr. Nimmi Mulwani
General Physician
10 yrs exp
Ahmedabad
Visit a nearby general surgeon
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Dr. Dinesh Mehta
General Physician
3 yrs exp
Jaipur
Subungual hematoma. Since pain is ongoing for 5 days, I strongly recommend drainage can give quick relief.If not drained, the nail may eventually turn black and fall off over weeks.
A new nail will grow back in 3–6 months.consultt with general surgeon locally in nearby hospital .its minor procedure takes,5 to 10 minutes .
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