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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Foul Smell From The Bruised Finger Post Injury?

evening, my 13 year old sister slammed her finger in the door onJuly 4, it started hurting immediately, my mom took her to the ER, they told her her nail would fall off, the finger is bruised from what she was told which is why it is now black. As of today, it has a smell similar to vomit, we have been putting iodine on it and she has a bandage over it. The nail is partially falling off, she we take her back to the ER? it does have some swelling
posted on Sat, 1 Aug 2015
Twitter Thu, 17 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 18 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi there and thank you for using HCM.

The foul smell you have described is highly suggestive of infection.

When there is blunt trauma (slammed by door) to the finger and nail, the nail, which has poorer blood circulation than the finger, might slowly die off and this occasionally results in infection. Any open wound on the finger can also lead to infection. The damaged nail is only removed if it is severely mangled and obstructs the growth of the new nail. Otherwise it is left behind to shield the rather fragile nail bed until the new nail replaces it.

In the case of an infection, the finger can swell, smell bad and may even ooze foul-smelling fluid. If left unattended, the patient can fall ill and develop a fever. So during treatment, the infected / dead nail may have to be removed to aid healing. The wound may have to be debrided (the dead tissues removed) and thoroughly cleaned and the patient put on a course of antibiotics. The new nail will eventually grow out.

In your sister's case, it does sound as though the nail and possibly nail bed is infected and will require treatment at the ER. Do take her there as soon as possible. Hope this answer helps and thanks again.

Dr Shabnam
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What Causes Foul Smell From The Bruised Finger Post Injury?

Hi there and thank you for using HCM. The foul smell you have described is highly suggestive of infection. When there is blunt trauma (slammed by door) to the finger and nail, the nail, which has poorer blood circulation than the finger, might slowly die off and this occasionally results in infection. Any open wound on the finger can also lead to infection. The damaged nail is only removed if it is severely mangled and obstructs the growth of the new nail. Otherwise it is left behind to shield the rather fragile nail bed until the new nail replaces it. In the case of an infection, the finger can swell, smell bad and may even ooze foul-smelling fluid. If left unattended, the patient can fall ill and develop a fever. So during treatment, the infected / dead nail may have to be removed to aid healing. The wound may have to be debrided (the dead tissues removed) and thoroughly cleaned and the patient put on a course of antibiotics. The new nail will eventually grow out. In your sister s case, it does sound as though the nail and possibly nail bed is infected and will require treatment at the ER. Do take her there as soon as possible. Hope this answer helps and thanks again. Dr Shabnam