Method Of Exam

• Compress the nail and observe the filling time of the capillaries.
• Assess the hemoglobin status.
• Using a flash light under the nail and observe the uniformity of light transmission.

Normal:

• The subungual space is pink.Subungual capillary bed blanches on compression and fills immediately on release of pressure. The light transmission through the nail bed is uniform.

Caution:

• Nail polish should be removed before the sub-ungual space can be examined.