Reply #4: Sounds a bit routine for a physician...

[I AM SPARTACUS]

...if you have an infirmary at work, see someone there. Otherwise, you can probably wing it yourself...

The bruise is in the tissue under the nail, not the nail itself (you probably realise this but you'd be surprised at what people don't notice...). If the skin is broken, put some triple antibiotic ointment on it and cover with a bandaid. If the skin is not broken, maybe you'll want to use a bandaid to keep the nail from tearing loose. If you get your hands wet and/or dirty alot, go to the drugstore and get a finger cott - sorta a condom for your finger.

And hey - if you're moving steel plates around at work, chances are that your co-workers have experienced this sorta thing with fingers & toes...ask around...

About the photos - post one just so we can all go "eeeewwwwwww..."