A bruised nail from playing ball is usually a result of the ball hitting the tip of the nail causing bleeding under the nail and blood pooling under the nail to form a bruise. If there is not much blood under the nail, it can be left untreated and the nail can be cut short. The bruised nail will be hollowed out and the new nail will replace the necrotic brace in about three months. If the amount of bruising under the nail is too much and the nail is distended and painful, a small hole can be made below the nail cap to drain the bruising in time, and then the finger and nail can be sterilized and bandaged while waiting for the new nail to grow out.