What is wrong with my finger? i got something stuck underneath my fingernail today. when i took that thing out my finger tip started to hurt, throb, and burn. i tried using an ice pack and that didn't work too well. what is wrong? how long will it take to

The : The only thing that can go wrong is infection (whether or not there is something still in there). You need to give it time. It's too early to have an infection, so the pain associated with the injury is making it feel like things will not go well, but the odds are nature has this one covered and all you need to do is give your body's healing system some time.

As : As dr. Ring mentions, infections are uncommon that quickly. However, some particularly dirty wounds can get infected overnight. Watch for increasing redness, streaks up the finger or palm, and thick, foul smelling drainage. If it appears to be worsening quickly, go to an emergency room. Some of the staph and strep bacteria are getting very aggressive. Without an infection, you have to decide if you think there is anything left under the nail. If so, it may need to be removed. For symptoms, you may soak your finger in warm water, which helps open up the space and drain the wound, or ice water, which tends to cool the tissues more effectively than ice packs. Elevation helps with swelling and throbbing. To be truly elevated, it needs to be above your heart. Also, think about whether your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If it was a deep puncture and a dirty object, you may want to have one within 5 years. Also, consider getting pertussis updated at the same time since there are new outbreaks.

It : It may be from the trauma of the injury and be swollen, it may be that the area still huts from the wound, the area under the nail is very sensitive. Other things may be a retained portion the foreign body, an sublingual (under the nail) infection.