Losing a fingernail/toenail

[Hay Dude]

Most of us have been there. The ugly painful process of crushing a fingernail or toenail. Is there anything that can be done? Mine is a crushed fingernail. Hoped it would survive, but alas I can see the end of the nail pulling- away from the quick. Last one took about a year.
My son has 2 crushed big toes from D-1 defensemen stepping on his feet. Team trainer offered little help.
Anything helpful in speeding the process of getting the new nail?

 

[MossRoad]

No.

 

[MoKelly]

Never thought this would be a tractor forum question but-

MoKelly

 

[Hay Dude]

Rural living was best forum I could find. Please move to better forum if there is one.

 

[EddieWalker]

I lost my big toenail a few years ago. I was being attacked by a rooster and I tried to kick him as hard as I could, but I missed, and kicked the ground instead. I almost passed out from the pain. It was so bad that I couldn't breath.

Eventually the pain went away, but my toenail became ingrown and very tender. I should have gone to the doctor right away, but I put it off for a couple of months. Eventually, I could barely walk and my work was suffering.

The foot doctor removed my toenail and said that it would grow back. I was terrified that the pain would get worse, but I never felt anything from not having a toenail. He numbed my toe for the surgery and it was over in a few minutes. He wrapped it up and told me to stay off of it for a few days, but then I was good to go.

It grew back very slowly, but there was never any pain or discomfort. I kept a band aid over it during the day, and I was barefoot in the evening. I did soak it in the evenings for a few weeks, but that was because my wife is a nurse and she insisted that I soak it. I think it was Epson salt, but I don't remember for sure. According to her, it helped, but I couldn't tell.

That was probably 5 years ago and I had forgot all about it until just now. I no longer kick roosters that are attacking me, I just shoot them when they go psycho, before they get to the stage of attacking people.

 

[RickB]

Been a long time since I lost a nail, but I remember the pain well. Wishing you the best results possible.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Toe nail story:

When I was about 4 years old, I had a habit of carrying a bucket around in the yard (don't know why, but I was an only child, about 10 miles from civilization). Ended up dropping it on my toe, and turning it black. It hurt so bad, I cried for a couple of hours or more. When Dad got home, he and Mom held me down and he drilled a hole in the nail with his knife. It let the blood out, relieved the pressure and therefore the pain. I went right to sleep.

The only time I have seen these things heal up very fast, is when the doc took the old nail off.

 

[oosik]

About eight months ago I accidentally kicked a wall. Playing soccer with Brownie. Blood squirted everywhere. Nail on big toe is vertical - rather than horizontal. So after realizing it's not going to fix itself. Push the toenail back down - wrap tightly with folded paper towel - wrap with elastic bandage. Change bandage once per week. After a month or so - toe nail comes off when I redo bandage. There is a brand new toenail. About a third of the way to being a full sized nail. I think I may have been lucky.

We play soccer outside now.......

 

[PILOON]

Toe nail story:

When I was about 4 years old, I had a habit of carrying a bucket around in the yard (don't know why, but I was an only child, about 10 miles from civilization). Ended up dropping it on my toe, and turning it black. It hurt so bad, I cried for a couple of hours or more. When Dad got home, he and Mom held me down and he drilled a hole in the nail with his knife. It let the blood out, relieved the pressure and therefore the pain. I went right to sleep.

The only time I have seen these things heal up very fast, is when the doc took the old nail off.

Yes, I always knew the trick was to drill an escape hole.
Have seen some actually use a power tool to do so.

 

[Jstpssng]

The best, least painful way that I've had it done was by a doctor... he heated a paper clip red hot on a bunson burner, and melted a hole in the nail. I rarely have a paper clip when I need it and don't own a bunson burner, so on the rare occasion I jam a nail, usually end up using a knife.