“Should I try to remove a toenail?”
I'm a 30 year old male. Yesterday, I stubbed my toenail hard against my desk and the nail immediately felt like it was broken loose from the nail bed. It's also bleeding. Is it safe to try and pull off the nail if it's dead?
23 Answers
No. Likely there’s a better way by consulting the nearest podiatrist ASAP.
It's best to be evaluated by a specialist
If you pull the nail off it may rip the skin and the underlying tissue under the nail itself. If anything clip back the portion that is not attached. You dont want to always remove the whole nail because the new nail coming in needs a guide for the path it should take.
No. If not done by a specialist, you are risking infection and tearing off your nail bed. Bone is right under that nail bed, so this is dangerous. You may not even need to do it depending on how bad it is. This will progress if left untreated and may turn into severe infection or toenail deformity that is lifelong.
Sounds like a terrible idea. Go see someone that is experienced in fixing this. Even Dr. Pol would recommend this.
If you can tape the nail in position with paper tape, it is better to keep it in place as long as possible. This will help the new nail grow in normally. If the old nail is removed, the new nail is more likely to grow in thicker. Also, if there is any increase in pain or swelling, you need to have the toe checked to be sure it is not infected.
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
NO, PLEASE GO TO A PODIATRIST FOR THAT
If not too painful. Leave it in place till no longer painful and bed healed. The nail acts as a dressing. Keep gauze over itSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
All toenails are dead just like hair. Best to have it removed atraumatically by a DPM.
Clean with peroxide and tape it down to your toe for the next 7-10 days. Once it's cooled off a bit, you should be able to pull or cut that large piece off. Otherwise, go see a podiatrist.
Dr. Siegel
Dr. Siegel
Cut off the part of the nail that is no longer attached. The part that is attached would be painful to remove without anesthetic. See a doctor if you are a diabetic, have no feeling, poor blood supply, or if signs of infection are present.
Hi,
If it's loose and barely attached, then yes. If it is still attached, it may be too painful to pull off. If that is the case, then I would see a podiatrist.
Dr. Lui
If it's loose and barely attached, then yes. If it is still attached, it may be too painful to pull off. If that is the case, then I would see a podiatrist.
Dr. Lui
Home treatment can be very tricky and cause damage. You should get an appointment with a podiatrist so that it can be taken care of properly, That is without any complications
If toenail is very loose and not attached to the skin underneath the nail then it is safe to trim some of it away. If the toenail is still attached to some of soft tissue structures, I do not recommend removal by yourself, but would seek medical attention from a podiatrist.
Jonathan M. Kletz, DPM
Texas Foot WorksDallas, Athens and Gun Barrel City Texas 214-340-8885
Jonathan M. Kletz, DPM
Texas Foot WorksDallas, Athens and Gun Barrel City Texas 214-340-8885
As long as it’s almost entirely detached from the nail bed and you use very clean instruments and clean it with warm, soapy water and bandage it well after, sure. You may still get an infection after no matter what.
I’m sorry to hear this happened to you. Don’t pull the nail off yourself, it will be painful and you may make the situation worse. If it has already fallen off, clean the area with saline wound wash and dress with bacitracin and a band aid. See your podiatrist ASAP.
It is always advised to have the toenail evaluated first prior to doing that as removing the toenail may be uncomfortable and to make sure that there is no trauma to the nail bed, which would require further treatment.
I would see a doctor, although it would probably result in the doctor removing the nail, they can also check if there is a fracture under the nail, if so and it’s an open fracture it can lead to a serious infection if not treated properly.
If it hurts I wouldn't sometimes the nail will fall off on its own. If painful and gets caught on things I would see a professional to numb the toe and remove the nail.
I recommend you NOT remove the toe nail on your own. I recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist)to be evaluated for the best course of action
If the nail has been town away from the nail bed, it will not re-attach. You should see your podiatrist to remove it and clean it out and allow it to heal well. You risk bacterial or fungal infection if you try to do it on your own
If the nail is more than 90% lysed off the nail bed, you can remove the nail. Just make sure the area does not get infected (red/swollen/pus/pain). Keep the nail covered at all times with a band aid and antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) until the wound bed appears to be fully healed or has a stable scab. If there are signs of infection, see your primary doctor or a Podiatrist ASAP.
The best and safest thing to do would be to follow up with a podiatrist. There is very small amount of skin and soft tissue between the nail and the bone. The thin layer of protection that is covering the bone is called the nail bed. If, for any reason, the toe injury caused a laceration to the nail bed, it must be cleaned and sometimes stitches must be applied and of course a course of antibiotics. It would be highly recommended that you follow up with your podiatrist.
