Anyone ripped off a fingernail before…how long does the pain last?!

[SoggyRamen]

I caught my thumb nail on Monday and ripped it off, I was advised to go to minor injuries as it was still attached in one corner and coming out at the other side. Went to minor injuries who gave me gas and air and put it back in. It’s got steri strips holding it in place and the whole finger is bandaged. I have a manual job and have had to reduce my working hours this week because of the pain and being unable to use that hand properly. I’m taking cocodamol every 4 hrs but the pain is still intense and keeping me awake at night. Is it normal for the pain to last this long?!
I was told to take the dressing off after 5 days, which is today. But what do I do now?!
any advice would be appreciated, the pain is really getting me down now 😞

Does it feel hot, or do you have a fever? Is there any swelling or redness around the injured part of the nail bed? Any pus or oozing through the dressing? If all no then it may just take time. I'd start tapering off the meds by stretching out the time between doses and adding ibupeofen. I'd also apply a cold/cool pack if toletable. The issue is that the nerves under the nail bed are usually buffered by the nail. Try to protect that finger from getting banged. Keep it clean. Since you work with your hands try to take at least a few days off and if you can't then continue bandaging (thickly) to protect it and remove once at home to gently cleanse ( just let warm soapy water run over it, and pat dry.) If you can, leave expised to air overnight. It'll likely be tender 3-4 weeks.

The nerves under the nail aren't used to feeling the outside.

When I've done this I've kept it bandaged to reduce the pain. Plasters will do.

You can also alternate ibuprofen with the co-codamol,

If it's infected you may need to see someone.

I’ve just changed the bandage and it’s twice the size of my other thumb and it smells. I don’t think it’s infected because it’s pale and cold, I’ve had a slight temp this week but nothing major and I couldn’t see any pus or anything oozing.

I will take your advice and take the dressing off this evening to let it breathe and clean it better.

Gosh, I’m not a doctor but smelly, swollen, pale and cold doesn’t sound great?

You should get it looked at today, that doesn't sound right at all. I wouldn't go trying to clean it yourself until it's been checked over.

Thanks for the advice. I’ll head back down to minor injuries sometime today to get it looked at.

Pale is likely due to bandaging
Cold often means bandaged too tightly

The swelling and smell are flags, especially paired with fever.
I would expect a course of first-line antibiotics as a precaution. Getting it looked at now is prudent. Then continue protecting it and keeping it clean. Ensure you are drinking adequate water, decrease sugar and increase lean protein to help your body ward off infection and heal.

How is it now @SoggyRamen ?

@Mumtobabyhavoc
Thanks for checking in, I was on antibiotics for a week which cleared up the infection.

It’s still swollen and I can’t bend the finger at the joint but thank god the pain has mostly gone now (the pain was insane at first) I am wondering if it could be infected again.
Do you know how long does it usually take for this kind of injury to heal? It’s been 3 weeks now and although it’s better than it was it’s still not right

Ouch. I ripped half my nail off as a child about 20 odd years ago, I still remember that pulsating feeling. I can’t remember how long it lasted but I do remember still feeling a pressure if I knocked it or touched it for quite a few weeks after. It was my pinky though - thumb I imagine is much worse!

I'm glad you were prescribed antibiotics. Depending on how bad the infection was, it is possible you needed a longer course or a stronger prescription. Return to your care provider for a follow-up. Note any sign of infection: fever, swelling, redness, heat, discharge, discolouration, odour etc. , It sounds quite unpleasant.

@Mumtobabyhavoc thank you for the advice. It’s started oozing again after being relatively ok for a while. I will get it checked out again today, I’m more worried about not being able to bend the finger.

@coldscottishmum the pain! Who’d have thought something so small could cause so much pain. Having it reattached was up there with childbirth!

I've done the same once when I had acrylic nails on. I ripped it off from the nail bed in a car crash, I'd also broken my nose but the paramedics said all I kept going on about was how much my nail hurt which shows how painful it must have been, I've never felt anything like it! it took about 3 months to stop hurting completely, and a bit longer for the nail to grow back