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What Causes Dents In Finger Nails?
Question: What can I do or who can I see about a nail, that was injured a year ago, below then nail and under the finger skin, and the nail never grows in well. It now grows in with a dent in the middle of my finger nail, and fluid gathers at the base of my finger nail. I can drain it, but it comes back and is getting worse. I worry about an infection. picture attached.
Brief Answer:
Incision and drainage is required
Detailed Answer:
hi and welcome to hcm.
this is beginning of infection and fluid should be drained before it become pus. there is probably chronic bacterial or fungal infection at nail cuticle. it means that at its base there is damage that causes your problems. it should now be incised and drained by surgeon. later ,a specialized surgeon should do procedure where nail base and fold is repaired. wish you good health. regards
Incision and drainage is required
Detailed Answer:
hi and welcome to hcm.
this is beginning of infection and fluid should be drained before it become pus. there is probably chronic bacterial or fungal infection at nail cuticle. it means that at its base there is damage that causes your problems. it should now be incised and drained by surgeon. later ,a specialized surgeon should do procedure where nail base and fold is repaired. wish you good health. regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
thanks. I did not know they could do a repair. Good news, but I assume that surgery would have me not being able to use the finger for many weeks? 4-6?
as for short term maintainanace, will I need a topical or oral antibiotic?
by the way, I left it alone for several days, and the fluidf did turn to puss.
also, what kind of Dr. should I go see to plan the repair?
as for short term maintainanace, will I need a topical or oral antibiotic?
by the way, I left it alone for several days, and the fluidf did turn to puss.
also, what kind of Dr. should I go see to plan the repair?
Brief Answer:
Plastic surgeon
Detailed Answer:
hi.
plastic surgeon,hand specialist. in most countries this is their job. there is procedure where nail is elevated , nail bed is then cleaned and modeled as is necessary. nail is then attached back to nail bed by few sutures. recovery is from 4-6 weeks, but only if you do some jobs that require digital activities.
Plastic surgeon
Detailed Answer:
hi.
plastic surgeon,hand specialist. in most countries this is their job. there is procedure where nail is elevated , nail bed is then cleaned and modeled as is necessary. nail is then attached back to nail bed by few sutures. recovery is from 4-6 weeks, but only if you do some jobs that require digital activities.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
assuming no need to type a lot ( digital activities ) how long to heal?
Brief Answer:
2-3 weeks
Detailed Answer:
averagely 2-3 weeks after procedure. you may need finger splint for that time.
2-3 weeks
Detailed Answer:
averagely 2-3 weeks after procedure. you may need finger splint for that time.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
ok thanks. In maybe a related question, I have a big toe issue. When I was 10n years old, a door was pushed over my big toe. The nail came back and fell off. after is healed, and ever since, the toenail has grown back in with a crack in the middle. It has never healed, and I have had a cracked toenail for nearly 50 years.
I have been told that I cannot repair this. Is that true? I have attacked a photo
I have been told that I cannot repair this. Is that true? I have attacked a photo
Brief Answer:
Treatment poasible but unpredicteable outcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Well in this case it seems like there is a crack through while nail from its base till top. It means that repair may be bit more difficult. The option is to remove whole nail and wait for new to grow which will have unpredictable outcome since new nail may not grow in right direction and in some cases may not grow at all. So I don't suggest any intervention in this case, especially if there is no pain,ingrown nail or infection. It is not reasonable to remove it but because of aesthetic concerns.
Wish you good health.
Regards
Treatment poasible but unpredicteable outcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Well in this case it seems like there is a crack through while nail from its base till top. It means that repair may be bit more difficult. The option is to remove whole nail and wait for new to grow which will have unpredictable outcome since new nail may not grow in right direction and in some cases may not grow at all. So I don't suggest any intervention in this case, especially if there is no pain,ingrown nail or infection. It is not reasonable to remove it but because of aesthetic concerns.
Wish you good health.
Regards
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. Vaishalee Punj
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