So I hit my toenail...

[Cherbear013]

and now its bleeding and the top seems to be loose but I think the bottom is still attached. I couldn't look too much because I was getting dizzy and lightheaded looking at it. I put a Band aid on it and some athletic tape to hold it. Is this alright and will it just heal on its own? I have ice on it as well because it hurts! Any other thoughts? TIA!

 

[Leajess99]

Yes that is fine but make sure you use antibiotic ointment as well. You may very well lose the nail. Do NOT force the nail to come off as you can cause more injury than if you just let it fall off naturally. My daughter has lost many nails and they do grow back. My son may be losing his nail as well due to a school accident. For him the doctor has to burn a hole in his nail to drain the blood under it (so very gross and stinky).

I hope your toe feels better soon and if it starts looking red or is hot to the touch please get seen as you could be getting an infection. My son had an infection in his by day 3 so is also on oral antibiotics.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I am no DR but I have done this to my toenail a few times in my lifetime. I didn't tape it though because I was afraid to take it off later. When it felt better I soaked it and but some neosporin on it. When you are up for it I would suggest cuuting the toenail as short and as far down as you can without causing more pain. I learned my lesson when I snagged it.

 

[bookgirl]

Okay this sounds hard but when I lost my toenail they had me soak my foot in lightly salted warm water. Not only to clean the area but it would help the skin toughen up. It does help, and belive me you'll know if you got too much salt (I think it was just a couple tablespoons per full basin of water), but saline water will make the recovery quicker.

 

[Kies99]

As I sit here quietly choking on my dinner that is coming back up, I can't help but wonder why this is on the Budget Board and not the Community Board?!?!?!

 

[Cherbear013]

Sorry about that! I was freaking out a little so I didn't even realize. I did move it to the Community board though. Enjoy the dinner!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I am no DR but I have done this to my toenail a few times in my lifetime. I didn't tape it though because I was afraid to take it off later. When it felt better I soaked it and but some neosporin on it. When you are up for it I would suggest cuuting the toenail as short and as far down as you can without causing more pain. I learned my lesson when I snagged it.

this happened to me. I cut down as much as i could. Air out when at home and at night i used a antibodotic band-aid so it would rub against the blankets. The skin will start to feel really tight so stretch your toes it will hurt but a few hours later no pain. I think flexing the toes helped it heal faster and not hurt

 

[debbiecarr98]

You poor thing, hope it is on the mend!

 

[seashoreCM]

Even if it does not get infected, the nail may crack up in a few weeks. There may be a few weeks when it seems as if the nail is loose and water (from the shower) keeps getting under the nail. You might want to keep a Band Aid on that toe most of the time to keep the ragged edges from damaging socks and stockings. Change the Band Aid after every bath or shower, letting the foot stay bare for a few hours whenever possible.

Then a few months later the nail usually grows back good as new.

Health hints: http://www.cockam.com/health.htm

 

[Reagan&Co.]

OUCH!! Hope it heals quickly. I must say, I am very impressed that you did not whine about it (like I would have)!!

 

[elcodfish]

if you can trim the nail, do so, BUT only as far as you would trim it if it was still attached. Try an epsom salt soak and use neosporin or something like that. You canwrap it in gauze and tape that, but taping the nail is bad because it can pull on the nail. If you notice on the nail or your foot red or black lines, this maens infection and you should see a doctor... Can you tell my husband did this in the fall?

 

[dhdozier]

My son did this right before Halloween last year! The nail fell off about 3 weeks later and we are hoping it will grow back. Keep it clean and dry

 

[matosfam]

My DS (6) does this regularly with fingernails and toenails! I really feel for you!

My family has been in the contracting business forever and these types of injuries are very common to us. Now, I am not a doctor but from many years of experience, we use a soak of very warm water with several drops of Betadine in it (enough to tint the water). Soak three times a day, then two, then one, until healing advances and then beginning again if any sign of infection starts. Trim the loose parts of the nail off as possible but don't disturb the attached bits. Keep covered loosely to avoid catching the nail on anything.

It is amazing how the Betadine water takes the pain out of the injury and speeds the recovery! AND it's a pain free treatment for the most part! BTW, DS's doctor has approved this treatment.

FYI: Betadine is the reddish liquid that hospitals / doctors use before surgery, etc. to swab over the affected area. We get our Betadine (actually the generic version of the same) at Wallymart.

YMMV. Hope you feel better!
Feel free to PM with any other questions.

 

[TraciM]

I have diabetic neuropathy in my legs and feet BAD. So injuring my toenails (specifically the big one) happens on a regular basis (removed or fell off 4x). I discovered the latest incident a couple of weeks ago the last night of my cruise. My nail polish looked off. Took the polish off and sure enough my toe under the nail was purple. Went to the Dr as soon as I got home and so far he does not think the nail will come off. Past experience tells me otherwise but I will have a positive attitude.LOL I was prescribed an antibiotic ointment and told to soak my toe/foot in Epsom salt 3x a day. Because of my medical issues I can’t put a bandage over it. It’s very nasty looking so socks are my best friend. The only thing I can figure is the fins when I went snorkeling. They were too tight or something and I didn’t feel it. I wore open toe sandals the rest of the time. Mysterious feet injuries are common with me. Last summer I broke my foot and had no clue how. I just woke up one morning with a swollen purple foot. It looked like I threw a brick on it. You would figure I would remember something that caused that type of damage. Anyway I want to give it another few weeks to see how it heals then I am going to put some dark nail polish on so I don’t have to look at it.LOL It could be worse. It could come completely off and be the summer months. No way to hide that.