General Medical Question - Non Urgent - Half a Toenail - Painful

.x.Kaz.x. · 10-07-2009, 11:42 PM

Okay this may sound rather gross or what not but half of my toenail on my big toe is hanging off, its hanging by the bottem bit of my toe. It's painful and hurts to walk on that toe. I tryed pulling it off but hell does it hurt! Its also bleeding. I don't know what to do. I got a 5 hour waitressing shift tomorow, so i am on my feet all that time, i know it may not sound bad but i have pain going up my foot

What should i do? Pull it off? Plaster it? Or just leave it. Sorry!

Mandimoo · 11-07-2009, 02:02 AM

dress it and see a dr tomorrow, i'd advise not goin into work with it, unless you can have a sit down job somehow. mand x

Woozle · 11-07-2009, 12:50 PM

What I would do is re-lay the toe nail back onto the nail bed, then secure it with steri-strips then put a dressing on it. as your new nail grows your old one will falll off naturally.

.x.Kaz.x. · 11-07-2009, 04:24 PM

Thanks, guys.

Went to work today, put 4 socks on and plasterd it so it wouldn't rub on my shoes. Anyway, the nail is proper painful and it is stuck. It's twisted it self and is sticken out diagnoally and cataching on my other toe >.<

Mum said to leave it and she would book me in with the foot specialist in a few days? Do you think i should just leave it for now?

Sorry x

Bitter_Angel · 11-07-2009, 08:32 PM

I would suggest a&e or your local walk in centre who can numb the area then take it off for you. by leaving it you run the risk of it getting infected.

Mandimoo · 12-07-2009, 01:15 AM

go to a&e, it's gonna keep catching and hurting til its sorted. mand x

Animad · 12-07-2009, 09:08 AM

I also think you need it getting checked out ASAP (today) whether thats at A&E an out of hours GP, a minor Injuries Unit, or a walk-in centre. What they can do is examine it and see the damage that has been done. Also, with it being towards the base there is a possibility that there could be damage to your nail bed which may mean it may not grow back or could be deformed when it does grow back so it does need to be seen. Sticking what's still there back down could cause more problems and trauma due to it not being straight either which could damage more areas.

Due to the risk of infection at that area being pretty high especially if there is damage to your nail bed then it is also likely you need a course of antibiotics.

Problems there are VERY painful and so also if you have no meds that interact with it, any medical problems that mean you can't use it, or have any problems with your stomach or intestines then Ibuprofen could really help. Not only will that reduce the pain but will also help with the swelling. Covering it in a wound pad with antiseptic cream against the area and cutting the pad so it can be easily medically taped around the toe may also help just until you get there.