Bruise under big toe nail - seek advice or leave to clear up

[Riley Blue]

I've managed to get a nasty bruise under my left big toe nail after an eight-mile walk three weeks ago. It's not really uncomfortable just a little sore sometimes, more so when it touches the duvet at night than when wearing shoes during the day. Do I leave it to clear up on its own or seek advice/treatment? A possible complication is that I'm on anticoagulants after having stents fitted and bruise easily as a result but have no other side effects.

[Foliage]

I was gonna suggest just leaving it, cut your toenail, keep it clean etc (it sounds similar to runners toe, which I get often). But due to your medication, see your GP.

[Fastchas]

My lad's done this a few times playing footy. The dried blood will either grow out as the nail grows or if it's more damaged then the nail will die and fall off, leaving a bare bed for the new growth. After 3 weeks I would say the former.

[paulrockliffe]

If there's a blood blister under the nail, it's very satisfying to stick a needle in and drain it!

[Fozziebear]

Is the nail raised? If it is and moves you will lose it, not an issue. If it's firm just leave it, it'll grow out. I'd check you shoe size, they sound tight/small which causes the big toe to bruise

[Cheib]

I once bruised my big toe skiing (didn't cut my toe nails short enough), went to local medical centre....large needle appeared and a blow torch. Hot needle used to pierce nail and a proper spurt of blood when the pressure was released. Nail came off a few weeks later.

Don't try that at home....

[Lotus Notes]

I get quite a few of these every year (combination of trail running and ski touring).

I tend to slide a sterilised needle under the nail and pop the blister up to 2 weeks after formation. If not, the nail will rise and need trimming short every couple of weeks.

Give it 4 months, the new nail will have formed and the old one will lift off!