OT Toddler Problem

[jms531]

DD stubbed her toe a few days ago and it looked like she was going to lose the top half of her toenail. I trimmed it down and let it go to let nature take it's course and now today it looks like a majority of the toenail is lifting up though still attached at the base...
I'll probably call the ped. on Monday but I'm just wondering if anyone had any experience with this in the past...She's not complaining about being in pain and I've lost some toenails before after stubbing them and eventually they just fell off. Not sure if I should help it along and take it off myself?

TIA for any help! Oh and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Poor baby. I actually did something similiar a few weeks ago....FYI do not help you husband move a washing machine while wearing flip flops I thought for sure that I was going to lose the nail, but now I think it's going to be okay. I just kept it real clean with betadine and it is mostly healed. The nail bed is a funny color but not black. Good luck...I would bring her in to the doc if it really bothers her or looks infected at all.

 

[Mrs D]

I would not remove it, leave it alone with the clipping you gave it. You should gently wipe with a gauze pad soaked in betadine on it to keep it clean and promote healing (this is what I had to do when I had a toenail removed).

Good luck!

 

[Alesia]

DO NOT remove the toenail on your own! You are likely to cause more damage. Just wrap it up so it doesn't get snagged on something and let it fall off naturally.

 

[MomofM&M]

I'm a pediatrician and agree with the other posts. Do not pull off the nail. Trim any loose edges that are sticking up that might catch and tear off. It sounds like the injury is at the end of the nail where you normally trim. You want the nail at the base to stay there as long as possible. This will help keep the new nail to grow in properly. HTH! Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[bumbershoot]

I've lost a fingernail and a toenail in extremely dramatic, painful, and traumatic fashion, and doctors have done nothing for it.

OK the fingernail doctor (hand surgeon) sewed the tip of my finger back on, though I'm not sure why, since it ended up coming off anyway. Oh, and he smacked my 11 year old butt as I got down from the examining table; that was a great moment.

And the urgent care doctor that I went to for the toenail, after her staff insisted on taking xrays as I continued to bleed (and they did NOT wear gloves!), even as I asked them what on earth they would do for a broken toe (answer = nothing) and told them I just wanted them to find out why I was continuing to bleed...the doc said, and I quote, "ew".

And did nothing but give me a prescription for a pain drug that didn't work.


So....I would put hydrogen peroxide on it to keep infection at bay, and keep it covered so she doesn't hurt it more. And trim it if needed, but honestly, that hurts like heck...

 

[CLR4321]

I would call a nurse line (many health insurance companies and Drs offices have them) or call the Drs office and ask to speak with a nurse. I would describe what is happening and see what they have to say, as well as get info on how to take care of it. More than likely it will heal up fine as long as it doesn't get infected. If it is infected you will know because your daughter will be in some pain and it will likely look red an swollen on the toe. I would suggest soaking it in warm water and keeping it clean, and put some neosporin on it. If there is any open wounds, put a bandaid on to keep it from getting germs inside. Definitely do talk to a nurse though to get their opinion. I would not go to the Dr for it unless the nurse suggests.