topic Re: Toenail Question in Wellness

Toenail Question

Apple Head — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 18:38:07 GMT

I injured my big toenail about 6 months ago. It turned black and blue and when it started healing, the damaged part started to lift off of the new toenail coming in underneath.

It's caused me a lot of issues because none of my narrower shoes fit because of that toenail raised about 1/2 inch from where the toenail should be.

It's now growing out but still attached on one side. I can lift it up (I know it sounds gross) and the new toenail is underneath, but it's still pretty attached on one side. I don't want to tear it off and reinjure anything, but it's driving me nuts as I still can't wear my walking shoes or good shoes that I own (only sandals). I had to go out and buy all new walking shoes and a pair of semi-dress shoes in wide widths. I normally wear B width or narrow! I have a job interview next week and only have my wide Clarks (lower heel) to wear. It's a nice shiney croco leather look, but it still is aggravating.

Anyone ever have this issue with a damaged toenail growing out? I would love to know how long it takes and your experiences. I don't want to go to a podiatrist because my insurance right now (being unemployed) is very expensive. I think it's almost ready to come off, but it's driving me nuts!

I soak it every morning in epsom salt to keep it softened and soothed, but I'm dying to wear all my shoes again.

Re: Toenail Question

Apple Head — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:53:00 GMT

I must be the only one who has ever had this issue. 78 views. Oh well. Hope it never happens to the rest of you.

Re: Toenail Question

kivah — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:55:37 GMT

I recommend u go to a podiatrist who will treat it.

Re: Toenail Question

Yahooey — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:58:20 GMT

i'm sorry this happened to you. I've only had bruised big toe nails - causes it to turn white and eventually it will grow out. Even that takes a year or so. But I could still wear my shoes.

Re: Toenail Question

hsawaknow — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:14:51 GMT

If your new toenail is almost grown out have you given any thought to having a pedicure? The tech can get in there and pull out the ingrown toenail. (I had a similar problem myself). Hope this helps

Re: Toenail Question

Apple Head — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:28:26 GMT

I know it's a matter of time, but it sure takes a long while. It would cost me a $200 office visit to see the podiatrist, so can't do that.

I'll keep waiting and hope it falls off in the shower soon.

Thanks everyone.

Re: Toenail Question

kiamom23 — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:58:45 GMT

My hubby had this and went to podiatrist. He removed the toenail (the new hadn't really started to grow yet.) Told him it would not hurt--wrong! It throbbed bad, according to him) for a good number of days. He had to be very careful wearing a shoe. Wore a pair that had ample toe room. It took a few months for the new one to grow back and gave him some solution to paint on every day to help prevent fungus. It looks pretty normal now. I wonder if you could cut the part that is unattached? Don't know if that would help. Good luck!

Re: Toenail Question

turtle52 — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:20:41 GMT

On 3/27/2015 Apple Head said:
I must be the only one who has ever had this issue. 78 views. Oh well. Hope it never happens to the rest of you.

I JUST started a thread about this about 1-2 weeks ago when my injured toe nail fell off...

Re: Toenail Question

hckynut — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:55:41 GMT

"Apple Head", Have you been to a Podiatrist? If not, that would be my suggestion. I would think that doctor would be able to do something to help you with this problem. I know what I have done many times with my big toe(black toe)injuries, but I ain't gonna suggest you do the same. It is down right gross.

Re: Toenail Question

Stray — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:58:43 GMT

I had this happen multiple times, if you can't afford the podiatrist, I would try a good pedicure as long as you know the tech. But, many won't touch it....so what you are doing is correct...try snipping it very gingerly with a small sterile scissor...that's what I did ....but if it is not ready, just wait, soak and it will fall off

Re: Toenail Question

sarpy — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:16:21 GMT

OTO: Op do you like Siamese?

Re: Toenail Question

Apple Head — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:19:06 GMT

On 3/27/2015 stray770 said: I had this happen multiple times, if you can't afford the podiatrist, I would try a good pedicure as long as you know the tech. But, many won't touch it....so what you are doing is correct...try snipping it very gingerly with a small sterile scissor...that's what I did ....but if it is not ready, just wait, soak and it will fall off

I also put a band-aid over it when I am wearing shoes. I am waiting for the day I get out of the shower and it's off!

Re: Toenail Question

Apple Head — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:20:12 GMT

On 3/27/2015 sarpy said:
OTO: Op do you like Siamese?

Siamese cats or twins?

Re: Toenail Question

sarpy — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 23:08:04 GMT

Cats.

Re: Toenail Question

lucy1332 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 23:42:30 GMT

My podiatrist recommended an over the counter product called Kerasal Nail, Nail Renewal Treatment for a similar issue, seems to work!

Re: Toenail Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 00:20:17 GMT

You have described my big toe toenail situation to a tee! Last fall I was moving a piece of furniture and it all happened so fast that I'm not certain if I rammed my to into a table leg or if the table leg came down on it. All this time I've been filing the nail, purposely keeping it short so it wouldn't catch on anything. When I discovered that it could lift up, I couldn't leave it alone. It was still attached on one side so I clipped as close as I could. It didn't hurt a bit. I left it like that for about a week and it got the better of me so I picked until I got that edge piece off. Yeah, it bled, but I was determined to get the piece off. It healed fine. The new nail is right about half the normal size right now and my shoes feel much better now. I've thought about getting some Solar Oil to encourage growth, but I keep forgetting to order.

Re: Toenail Question

Apple Head — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 01:49:53 GMT

On 3/30/2015 JeanLouiseFinch said:
You have described my big toe toenail situation to a tee! Last fall I was moving a piece of furniture and it all happened so fast that I'm not certain if I rammed my to into a table leg or if the table leg came down on it. All this time I've been filing the nail, purposely keeping it short so it wouldn't catch on anything. When I discovered that it could lift up, I couldn't leave it alone. It was still attached on one side so I clipped as close as I could. It didn't hurt a bit. I left it like that for about a week and it got the better of me so I picked until I got that edge piece off. Yeah, it bled, but I was determined to get the piece off. It healed fine. The new nail is right about half the normal size right now and my shoes feel much better now. I've thought about getting some Solar Oil to encourage growth, but I keep forgetting to order.

What do you mean the "nail is right about half the normal size..." Do you mean in length to the top of the toe?

I'm so afraid that once it comes off, the toenail below will be so new it might rub wrong or hurt with the pressure of a tighter shoe.

I don't have your courage. I won't rip it off. I've dealt with it this long, I'll wait for it to fall off. My luck, it will get infected and be worse.

Thanks for your story.

Re: Toenail Question

Apple Head — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 01:52:34 GMT

On 3/30/2015 lucy1332 said:
My podiatrist recommended an over the counter product called Kerasal Nail, Nail Renewal Treatment for a similar issue, seems to work!

lucy... not sure if I should use this. I don't have fungus, just the old, injured toe growing out. I am waiting to see what happens. Everytime I get out of the shower, it's so soft and ready to come off, but not that one darn side. At least, it doesn't hurt.

Re: Toenail Question

Apple Head — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 01:53:52 GMT

On 3/30/2015 sarpy said:
Cats.

No, I'm allergic to Siamese cats. I love other breeds of felines though. Only allergic to Siamese for some reason.

Re: Toenail Question

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 03:53:37 GMT

On 3/30/2015 Apple Head said:
On 3/30/2015 JeanLouiseFinch said:
You have described my big toe toenail situation to a tee! Last fall I was moving a piece of furniture and it all happened so fast that I'm not certain if I rammed my to into a table leg or if the table leg came down on it. All this time I've been filing the nail, purposely keeping it short so it wouldn't catch on anything. When I discovered that it could lift up, I couldn't leave it alone. It was still attached on one side so I clipped as close as I could. It didn't hurt a bit. I left it like that for about a week and it got the better of me so I picked until I got that edge piece off. Yeah, it bled, but I was determined to get the piece off. It healed fine. The new nail is right about half the normal size right now and my shoes feel much better now. I've thought about getting some Solar Oil to encourage growth, but I keep forgetting to order.

What do you mean the "nail is right about half the normal size..." Do you mean in length to the top of the toe?

I'm so afraid that once it comes off, the toenail below will be so new it might rub wrong or hurt with the pressure of a tighter shoe.

I don't have your courage. I won't rip it off. I've dealt with it this long, I'll wait for it to fall off. My luck, it will get infected and be worse.

Thanks for your story.

Correct. The new nail underneath was growing while the old was on top. Once the old was removed, I could see what was going on and now the new nail has grown out about halfway. I'm sure that it will eventually look completely normal. Where the old nail left go, but the new nail hasn't reached to yet, is just skin. It's not tender or anything and since the new was protected by the old, it's smooth and no rough edges to catch. It's pretty remarkable how our bodies were created to handle certain things.