Diagnosis
The diagnosis “torn fingernail” is first of all a purely clinical diagnosis, i.e. it is made on the basis of the torn fingernail itself. If further symptoms, as mentioned above, are added, a more comprehensive diagnosis, i.e. search for the cause, should of course be initiated. Depending on the additional findings, a cause-related diagnosis is then made, which can range from malnutrition to hormone disorders to rheumatoid diseases.
Associated symptoms
A torn fingernail can, but need not be painful. As already mentioned, the decisive factor here is how deep the nail tears. If the tear reaches down to the nail bed, it can cause strong, pulsating pain.
Unfortunately, small injuries of the nail bed also inflame easily and gladly. Then accompanying symptoms such as redness, swelling and overheating of the affected nail and fingertip can occur in general. These symptoms are the classic signs of inflammation.
As already mentioned, depending on the cause, other accompanying symptoms may also occur. Which these are, depends very individually on the underlying disease. However, it is reassuring to note that in most cases no accompanying symptoms other than pain occur.
Under certain circumstances it is possible that a torn fingernail becomes inflamed. The cause is the immigration of bacteria into the wound. These are then identified by the body’s immune system as foreign and thus potentially pathogenic, i.e. causing the disease.
The body’s immune reaction to these bacteria then manifests itself as an inflammatory reaction. As a result of increased blood flow in the area of the wound, which is intended to help healing, the area turns red and swells. In addition, pain and overheating can occur.
The fifth symptom of inflammation is loss of function. In this case, this means that it is no longer possible to grasp the nail so firmly with the appropriate finger and it hurts disproportionately when you bang the nail. The protection that the nail was originally intended to provide against pain no longer exists.
Should a torn nail become inflamed, it makes sense to keep it clean and protected at all times. It can be padded with a little absorbent cotton, for example. Inflammations can form pus.
Pus is nothing more than dead cells and tissue particles that the immune system wants to remove from the body as quickly as possible. This is because dead cells trigger various metabolic processes that fill the body with toxins. Practically speaking, bacteria are also flushed out of the wound in this way.
Pus must always be removed from a wound. So if pus collects in a small niche under the nail or under the skin, it is advisable to consult a doctor, who will open the site of pus and thus empty it. The wound should then be kept clean and covered.
It is advisable to check once a day whether new pus has formed and to remove it again if necessary. Pain can be caused by a deeply torn nail. This is due to the pronounced supply of nerves to the nail bed and fingertip.
These nerves normally provide the brain with precise information about what we are feeling, which is a crucial function of the hand. A torn fingernail, however, sensitizes the corresponding area of the finger excessively, which means that even the slightest touch can trigger the strongest pain. Cooling compresses and wraps can help here.
