Below we retain the author’s account of a nail covered with acrylic being trapped in a door, followed by a visit after emergency department care. Time references belong to the original publication. The actions described are not instructions for every similar injury.
On Wednesday, shortly before 18:00, I received a call from a client who had trapped her fingernail in a door. She had already been to the emergency department, where her finger was immobilised before she was referred to a podology practitioner. By 18:30, she was at my practice.
🩹 We applied a dressing for three days. At yesterday’s follow-up appointment, the nail still hurt when I tried to file away the acrylic enhancement. I gently relieved pressure on the nail plate using a rose-head burr. It took a long time — the acrylic layers were very thick. A little blood came out, and the nail matrix was clearly damaged. The whole nail plate had moved towards the fingertip…
❗ The client did not agree to have the nail removed. She planned to visit a surgeon, where anaesthesia could be provided. Unfortunately, a podology practitioner cannot administer it.
The account ends with a planned surgical consultation; it gives no outcome or regrowth information. Severe pain, bleeding or suspected serious damage requires medical assessment. Do not drain the nail yourself.
Further information
- Subungual haematoma — what should you do after a nail injury?
- Nail injury — when to see a doctor or a foot care specialist
- Subungual haematoma — assessment after an injury
Medical sources: Cleveland Clinic — Subungual Hematoma.
Editorial update: .