help! can I save injured toenail?

amysj303

I hurt my big toe, it felt like I took the nail off with a heavy box, but when I looked at the toe it was fine. It hurt all day, and then I took the polish off and can see it has a blueish color and the base of it is red.
I am worried the nail will fall off. Does anyone have any advice about how I can save the nail?
Sorry, I know this only falls loosely in the category of "support" but this will cut into my running and MFPs are a wealth of knowledge so I thought I would try!

jlewis2896

I consider a missing toenail a Running Badge of Honor. I honestly have found no way to save them, but if they are just loose, I band-aid them and keep them clipped very short so that no 'extra' toenail gets pulled off during a work-out.

They are so not cute, though! Hope someone else has some more helpful advice!!

dairywife

I broke my toe playing indoor soccer and thought I was going to lose my toenail. The doctor I went to wanted to rip it off and I said, " Heck NO!" I just let it be. When it started to grow out there was a black and blue line across my nail which I thought wasn't too bad. But now, 4 months after I broke my toe, the nail cracked where the bruise was. My nail is still in tact, just keeping them short so nothing might catch to rip it off while running. I would say just leave it alone......make sure you are getting plenty of calcium to help the nails grow and maybe even increase your calcium intake. Good Luck!

amysj303

thanks. I thought about going to a dr. but I don't want them to take it off!

kiuney

Once a nail is bruised like that, you're probably going to lose it. But... a new one will grow in it's place so it's not like you'll be without a nail. I get bruised toenails very easily (and have lost more than I care to discuss) but the way I prevent them is to keep my toenails trimmed very short and make sure there is enough room in the toe box of my shoes.

jlewis2896

Once a nail is bruised like that, you're probably going to lose it. But... a new one will grow in it's place so it's not like you'll be without a nail. I get bruised toenails very easily (and have lost more than I care to discuss) but the way I prevent them is to keep my toenails trimmed very short and make sure there is enough room in the toe box of my shoes.

I get bruising, too! I have a gal that gives me pedicures and she uses a 'leopard print' theme to cover up my toenail bruises. It's kind of fun -- just spot on some dark gold polish then go around a bit of the edges with a black toenail pen, then clear-coat over everything. Classsssy.