Lost Nail - Caution; with pic! What to do?
Discussion
Mrs Oilydan just called me in tears; she was out clearing some weeds from the veg plot and, after some time, noticed that her finger had gone through the glove.
Due to the fact that her hands were cold and muddy, combined with poor circulation at the best of times, her fingers were so numb she did not realise that she had gardened so hard that her nail snapped off. Not in your usual "I broke a nail" kind of way either.
Apparently the pain is 'severe' and very noticeable since her fingers have thawed out a bit. She cleaned it the best she could but it seems it is a little too painful to get the last bit of mud out.
Question for the PH medics - does this need a trip to the local doctor for sorting or can she leave it and not burden the NHS further with a mere broken nail?
Due to the fact that her hands were cold and muddy, combined with poor circulation at the best of times, her fingers were so numb she did not realise that she had gardened so hard that her nail snapped off. Not in your usual "I broke a nail" kind of way either.
Apparently the pain is 'severe' and very noticeable since her fingers have thawed out a bit. She cleaned it the best she could but it seems it is a little too painful to get the last bit of mud out.
Question for the PH medics - does this need a trip to the local doctor for sorting or can she leave it and not burden the NHS further with a mere broken nail?
Go to the doctor, take the bit that came off.
My understanding is (I've seen a few toe nails kicked off) is that if you don't put the old bit back on, the finger loses its form and you rush getting an in growing nail as the nail grows back.
This might all be bs as it's never actually happend to me, just third party info.
My understanding is (I've seen a few toe nails kicked off) is that if you don't put the old bit back on, the finger loses its form and you rush getting an in growing nail as the nail grows back.
This might all be bs as it's never actually happend to me, just third party info.
It's not a case of putting it back on, it's a case of using it to not let the form of the finger change so when the nail regrows it in-grows.
Again, I'm getting this from only a very small number of cases, none of which has involved me further than taking the individual to the hospital and waiting for them.
One case I recal, a big toe nail was kicked off, but was left hanging by a thread. The guy stuck it back down, as you would, and I took him to A&e. There was a bit of blood involved.
In A&E the doctor detached the re-stuck nail, as apparently he had positioned it so the new nail would grow over the old (no pain killers involved, just pulled it off apparently) then repositioned it so as mentioned above, the toe wouldn't lose its shape and develope an ingrown nail.
Again, I'm getting this from only a very small number of cases, none of which has involved me further than taking the individual to the hospital and waiting for them.
One case I recal, a big toe nail was kicked off, but was left hanging by a thread. The guy stuck it back down, as you would, and I took him to A&e. There was a bit of blood involved.
In A&E the doctor detached the re-stuck nail, as apparently he had positioned it so the new nail would grow over the old (no pain killers involved, just pulled it off apparently) then repositioned it so as mentioned above, the toe wouldn't lose its shape and develope an ingrown nail.
I lost nearly all of a big toe nail a few years ago. I did nothing (other than hop around whining for a few minutes). The nail grew back in its own time and now looks identical to the one on the other foot (not very pretty). Maybe a finger a bit more cosmetically crucial than a toe, but doing nothing worked for me.
I often lose toe nails (then one next to the little toe) from running.
So a gradual thing rather than an injury.
When I eventually remove them it tends to hurt...
If she managed to tear off half a nail without noticing surely she should be seeing the doctor about poor circulation / loss of sensation?
So a gradual thing rather than an injury.
When I eventually remove them it tends to hurt...
If she managed to tear off half a nail without noticing surely she should be seeing the doctor about poor circulation / loss of sensation?
I chopped most of my thumb nail off many years ago by using a trowel to trim a bit of block which i was holding. I missed the block and hit my nail instead.
Mine grew back eventually but bloody hell i didnt realise how sensitive your thumb (or finger) is without a nail! Could hardly put any pressure on it at all without it causing pain and discomfort.
Mine grew back eventually but bloody hell i didnt realise how sensitive your thumb (or finger) is without a nail! Could hardly put any pressure on it at all without it causing pain and discomfort.
I had simular with my finger nail. I got these bandages (from Boots) and kept it clean and dry for 4 weeks.
It will grow back but it takes ages.
Edited to add - Dont' use medical tape to hold the bandage on, its rubbish, I used white electical insulation tape just to keep it from falling off.
It will grow back but it takes ages.
Edited to add - Dont' use medical tape to hold the bandage on, its rubbish, I used white electical insulation tape just to keep it from falling off.
Edited by Le Mans Visitor on Sunday 8th March 19:57
As above - keep clean and dry. Over the counter painkillers also.
Due to the fact the injury occurred while gardening, if your wife hasn't had all 5 of her Tetanus vaccines, or is unsure if she completed all 5 of the childhood vaccines, she will need a tetanus booster, available from the GP, possibly a walk in centre. If she has had all 5, it offers lifelong immunity and nothing to worry about.
Due to the fact the injury occurred while gardening, if your wife hasn't had all 5 of her Tetanus vaccines, or is unsure if she completed all 5 of the childhood vaccines, she will need a tetanus booster, available from the GP, possibly a walk in centre. If she has had all 5, it offers lifelong immunity and nothing to worry about.
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