How to Heal a Finger that’s Been Smashed in a Door - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather

Many of us have, at one time or another likely slammed our finger in a door.  After the pain has gone away, the next question is often, ‘What will happen to my finger and will it heal'?   

Dr. Anna Magee, a dermatologist at Charlottesville Dermatology, Aesthetic Medicine & Laser Institute, says the good news is the damage to the nail can be fixed.  

"It can often cause a bruise, which can look black under the nail, then the nail over time, and it can be varied time, can actually shed in its entirely."  

After about six months has passed, the nail will then grow back.  "The body has an amazing capacity for taking care of itself," noted Magee.  

While the nail is in the process of growing back, doctors say it's important to be cautious about possible infections. Signs that something might be wrong include redness, swelling, puss, pain or a fever.  

"I usually have people just protect their finger after an event like that so they're not catching it in everything and it's not hitting things, because it's still pretty painful for several weeks after," said Magee.  

Additionally, if you don't remember shutting your finger in anything, but see a dark bruise show up under your nail, you should see a doctor to get it checked out, as it could potentially be cancerous.  

"Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer, and it can actually show up in a nail, believe it or not," said Magee.  

For more information on this topic, please call Health Connection at (434) 654-7009.  If you have something you'd like to know the answer to, email us at healthquestions@nbc29.com.