Fingernail and toenail injury

[Justin Bieber]

Even a minor injury to the finger may cause changes in the nail. The nail may develop a small spot of white discoloration that starts at the injured location and grows out with the nail.

Severe damage to the nail bed (the soft tissue underneath the nail plate that attaches the nail to the finger), particularly from a crush injury, often results in permanent nail deformity. To reduce the risk of a permanent nail deformity, the injury should be repaired immediately, which requires removal of the nail.

(See also Overview of Nail Disorders.)