If you stub your toe or are running around in shoes that are a little too tight, it’s possible for you to damage your big toenail such that it becomes partially or fully detached from the nail bed. At this point, you’re not going to be able to re-secure it in place; it’s going to come off eventually. Your toenail helps to keep bacteria and germs out of the area that could end up causing an infection, so how should you care for your toe while you’re waiting for the nail to grow back? In today’s blog, we share some tips for caring for your nail bed while you’re waiting for the toenail to grow back.
Caring For A Detached Toenail
If you drop a heavy piece of equipment on your foot or otherwise traumatize your toenail, you may find that the nail partially or fully detaches from the nail bed. It’s going to take weeks for that nail to grow back, so you’ll want to be smart in how for you care for the exposed nail bed to reduce your risk of an infection or other issues. Here’s what you should do:
1. Care For The Nail – If the nail has fully detached from the nail bed, you can skip this step. However, if the nail is still partially attached, you can decide how to address the nail. It will eventually fall off on its own as the new nail grows, so if it’s partially attached, you can simply leave it alone and monitor it as the new healthy nail grows back. If it is hanging on by a thread, you can carefully remove it with sterilized tools, or you can connect with a medical professional to have the nail removed. Don’t force the nail off if it’s still readily attached, but you may need to address if if the nail has become jagged or sharp, as it could catch on clothing and cause more discomfort.
2. Sterilize It – The next thing you’ll want to do is to sterilize the area. Soaking your foot in a saltwater mix (1 tsp to 4 cups of water) for 10-20 minutes can help cleanse the area. After you’re done soaking the area, pat it dry with a clean towel or sterilized pad.
3. Protect It – Next, you’ll want to protect the area so that it’s harder for germs to enter the area. Place a little petroleum jelly or Vaseline on the nail bed before covering it with a clean adhesive bandage.
4. Repeat Steps 2 And 3 – Finally, you’ll want to repeat steps two and three every day or two while you wait for the nail bed to grow back. Carefully remove the bandage, clean the area, soak it in a saltwater solution, dry the area and protect it again with a bandage. This will ensure that any drainage or dampness within the bandage doesn’t cause problems while healing is taking place.
Your nail bed won’t return overnight, but if you follow these tips over the course of a few weeks, you’ll be greatly reducing your risk of a problem while you wait for the nail to grow back. And of course, if you notice any signs of an infection or pain intensifies during this period, connect with a foot and ankle specialist. For more information, reach out to Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.