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What Causes Hematoma Under A Toe Nail?
Question: Hello. I repeatedly suffer from what I thought was pinky toenail trauma. I will get a horizontal, not vertical collection of blood that arises from the cuticle. It always grows off with the nail leaving no discoloration behind. But then, it will happen again and the whole process starts over. I am a nurse and stand on my feet in tennis shoes for 10+hrs per day. Thought maybe I was causing the trauma. Would a subungual melanoma go away and come back or would my cuticle/nail consistently stay discolored?
Brief Answer:
Trauma related subungual hematoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you have bleeding underneath your nail and are worried if it could be a melanoma.
From your history and description, I am of the opinion that the hematoma underneath your nail could be related to mild but constant trauma due to prolonged occlusion from wearing shoes.
Are the shoes tight especially in the front?
The most common cause for subungual hematoma is ill fitting shoes.
As far as your doubt as to whether this could be a subungual melanoma, I do no think so. This is because you have mentioned that it disappears and reappears again, which does not happen with a melanoma. A melanoma would persist irrespective of the nail growth, would spread to the skin and also become more nodular with time.
I would suggest that you try changing the shoes. Wear a shoe with considerable room in the front. ( at least a finger breadth wide).
Hope this helps you.
If you have any more queries, I would be glad to answer.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Trauma related subungual hematoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you have bleeding underneath your nail and are worried if it could be a melanoma.
From your history and description, I am of the opinion that the hematoma underneath your nail could be related to mild but constant trauma due to prolonged occlusion from wearing shoes.
Are the shoes tight especially in the front?
The most common cause for subungual hematoma is ill fitting shoes.
As far as your doubt as to whether this could be a subungual melanoma, I do no think so. This is because you have mentioned that it disappears and reappears again, which does not happen with a melanoma. A melanoma would persist irrespective of the nail growth, would spread to the skin and also become more nodular with time.
I would suggest that you try changing the shoes. Wear a shoe with considerable room in the front. ( at least a finger breadth wide).
Hope this helps you.
If you have any more queries, I would be glad to answer.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much. Here is an old pic of a hematoma that has already resolved. I can now see that i am getting a new one now because there is a spot arising from the cuticle. Guess i will try some new shoes. Thanks again
Brief Answer:
Trauma related subungual hematoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for uploading a clinical picture.
It looks like a resolving subungual hematoma. As I mentioned, you could try using well fitting shoes. Also make sure that you buy shoes which are broad at the front and not narrow.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Trauma related subungual hematoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for uploading a clinical picture.
It looks like a resolving subungual hematoma. As I mentioned, you could try using well fitting shoes. Also make sure that you buy shoes which are broad at the front and not narrow.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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