It hurts to smash a nail.

And if blood builds up under it, the pressure can really make it throb.

There's a safe and easy way to drain blood from under a smashed fingernail or toenail using an ordinary paper clip.

But don't try it if you smashed your nail more than two days ago, if it isn't really painful, if your finger, toe, or joint doesn't look right, or if you have diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or a problem with your immune system.

And skip it if you aren't sure you can do it without burning yourself.

Okay. Get a paper clip, not a needle, and straighten it.

Hold one end of the paper clip with a cloth so you don't burn your fingers, and heat the other end in a flame until it's red-hot.

Now touch that hot tip to your nail, right where the blood is, to melt a hole.

Don't push it, just touch it.

It won't hurt because there aren't any nerves there.

You might have to reheat the paper clip a few times.

But once the hole is melted all the way through, the blood will flow out, and the painful pressure should be gone.

For the next few days, soak your nail in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes or so, 3 times a day.

Don't worry if some clear or bloody liquid drains out.

But call your doctor if you have any signs of infection, like more pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the nail, pus draining from the nail, or you have a fever.