Case of the missing nail....

[goLC]

I smashed my big toe into a cast-iron kettle. Totally klutz move. I knew it hurt something awful and the nail felt loose, but I just thought it was bruised. Went for pedi and when she took off my dark coral polish, it was very discolored under the nail --- black and purple. She said it would probably just fall off but she made it pretty for now...She said not to go to have it removed because it would damage it in some way. I don't want it to fall off because it would look horrendous I'm sure! Have a cruise booked and don't want to have to wear a bandaid over my toe the whole trip! :) As of now it is still attached, just very loose and sore. Suggestions? I don't want to mess it up forever, but if it does come off, how can I make it look not so horrid???

[iheartbda]

Yikes! Some of the bandaids are quite invisible. Maybe you could put one of those on and have a "nail" painted on it. I know, maybe dumb idea.:o Hopefully someone else with come along with a better suggestion.:)

[ger_77]

Maybe you could crazy glue it on until after the cruise, then it would be secure. In the event it does come off curing your cruise, be sure to bring along matching polish so you can "create" a new full nail. Failing that, bring along more crazy glue and if it gets loose, give it another little squirt of glue to hold it on.

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

[SewMuch]

A podiatrist can remove the nail properly and give you the best advice. My daughter had to have a nail removed and the podiatrist told her to just go ahead and paint the skin on that toe the same color as the rest of her nails. You couldn't even tell the nail was missing. But, DO NOT listen to me or your nail person. Get Professional advice from a foot specialist. (Again, not the gal at the beauty shop or anyone here.)

[hettman8]

Oh my goodness I know exactly how you feel! I'm sailing out in 4 weeks & stubbed my toe on my hubby's giant boot as we were cooking together in the kitchen. As I kicked his foot I cracked my toenail vertically halfway down my nail. All I could think about was how ugly my toe was going to look on the cruise!!!! I had no clue how to fix it until I called my hairdresser cousin who recommended I go to my nail salon & have them put acrylic on it. That's exactly what I did & it looks wonderful......I'm so glad I didn't try to fix it myself. I hope you get it all straightened out and have a wonderful time on your cruise.:)

[Seraphine]

(nail professional here)

 

Go see a podiatrist and have the damaged part of the nail removed. They can do it safely and it's better than having a loose nail hanging about - it will be just waiting to catch on something.

 

Afterward, once it's healing, you can have a gel or acrylic extension put on to make it look like the others. But go see a foot professional to make sure the nail bed is taken care of and further damage is prevented.

[ladytravlr2]

I had stubbed my big toe years ago, and after that damage it kept growing only so far then coming up off the nail bed and then coming off. Kept getting snagged on something, was a real problem.

I finally had it taken off. Now I paint my toe skin where a nail would be. No problem at all. Doesn't always last as long as on the nails, but I retouch then.

 

I also use Jamberry wraps, and glue that one down to make it stay better. Other Jamberry wraps stay well in pools and water though. I am actually glad that old toe nail is gone!

[goLC]

Thanks for all the tips! I knew I would get several options! I know I need to see a podiatrist...I do already keep bumping it and dang, that hurts! I had not thought of painting the "skin" if it comes off. Gonna look up Jamberry wraps --- never heard of them!

[goLC]

Ok --- here's the removed-version:

 

[ger_77]

Oh lordy, just looking at that makes me cringe. Ow!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[Seraphine]

Ok --- here's the removed-version:

 

[ATTACH]323743[/ATTACH]

 

 

Dear goLC

 

I'm glad you got it sorted out! I hope it didn't hurt too much.

 

Please be assured that any decent nail tech could use gel or acrylic and smooth out your existing nail and extend it.

See this page for an example of how it's done.

 

I do this for quite a few of my clients and you often can't tell which big toenail is damaged. As long as the skin is intact and the nail is healing, you can extend it.

[awhfy]

Lots of long distance runners (DH, DDx2 & DSIL) in my family. Every time they run a trail marathon they lose toenails. They've been fortunate, they've grown back each time

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[PurpleHays]

I haven't personally lost one this way, but a lot of figure skaters lose toe nails.

 

I lost one when DH and DSIL dropped a sleeper-sofa on my toe.

[travelgoddess1]

I've been there and done that a few times, the last one was right before a 29-day cruise. The gal at the nail salon pointed out that my nail was gone (not the big toe). It had just fallen off, which happens to me occasionally. I had her paint the skin, and every few days on the cruise did a touch up. You really can't see the difference.

 

For an injury like yours, definitely see the podiatrist, and as the nail grows back, you have several choices, all mentioned here, I believe. My advice: just don't worry about it, it will look fine. :)

[luckycruzer]

A podiatrist can remove the nail properly and give you the best advice. My daughter had to have a nail removed and the podiatrist told her to just go ahead and paint the skin on that toe the same color as the rest of her nails. You couldn't even tell the nail was missing. But, DO NOT listen to me or your nail person. Get Professional advice from a foot specialist. (Again, not the gal at the beauty shop or anyone here.)

 

 

May 1st........late July pedi, she cut away the dead/loose nail, and I"m sporting my colored nail bed as the new one grows...it had healed over..so no infection threat..can't even tell !!! Biggie toe looks gr8