Nail Problems And Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Did you injure your nail?

See significance of a nail injury if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Is blood under a nail causing severe pain and you are unable or unwilling to drain the blood from the nail ?

Yes

Do you still have severe pain after you have drained the blood from under your nail?

Yes

Do you have diabetes?

Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?

Yes

Do you have a disease or take a medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Is blood under a nail causing moderate pain and you are unable or unwilling to drain the blood from the nail ?

Yes

Do you still have moderate pain after you have drained the blood from under your nail?

Yes

Has more than half of your nail turned black after an injury?

Yes

Do you have moderate to severe pain that has not gotten better with home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

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