Inability to remove an object from under a nail

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Inability to remove an object from under a nail

A splinter or another object under a nail can be painful. If the object is small and sticking out from under the nail, remove it with clean tweezers. Use care not to push the object farther under the nail. Bleeding may increase when the object is removed. If the object is difficult to remove, leave it in place for removal by your health professional.

If the object has fallen out or has been removed, always check to see whether the object that caused the wound is intact. If part of the object is still in under the nail, it is usually best to have it removed by a health professional. If possible, take the broken object with you. Objects made of organic material, such as wood, may not be visible on X-ray and can be difficult to remove, even by a health professional.

After you have removed an object from under a nail, watch for signs of infection.

When an object is left under a nail, the chance of infection increases. Suspect that an object is still under a nail if:

• The object that was removed from under the nail is not intact.
• Pain significantly increases when pressure is applied to the nail.

Credits

Last updated:	November 13, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer