to post on here for help regarding child's toenail??

[MoonGirl1981]

Son has just knocked his foot.

Toenail looks to be coming off.

Screaming with pain which is not his usual style, usually he gets over bumps, etc within seconds!!

He's 8.

Hospital??

Help me please!!!

[worraliberty]

Oh dear

Sorry to hear he's done this, but why on earth are you asking a forum full of strangers whether you should take him to hospital?

Why not ring NHS Direct?

[strawberrie]

When my DD's toenail was found to be suddenly hanging off (she was about 18 months) I called our GP surgery and was told it had to be A&E - I'm not sure if that's just because she was so little so probably best to ring your surgery to check.

She wasn't in any pain though - when she was examined it transpired there was a little sliver of new nail growing underneath so the doctor just snipped the nail off and dressed it.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

[InFlames]

Call GP? Practice Nurse?

[Thruaglassdarkly]

GP asap.

[Pixieonabroomstick]

I did this at about the same age.I dont remember seeing at Dr at all. However i cant see your DS so i dont know if there might be a massive difference.
My nail eventually dropped off btw.

[MissPenteuth]

If he's hit it hard enough to knock the nail off he could have broken a toe as well. I'd take him to the GP at least.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

A&E... he won't get in to see a GP quickly anyway so you might as well take him to hospital. Toenails really are very painful, if his has been partially ripped off he runs the risk of infection. Take him now.

[squeakytoy]

Well he will be screaming.. it bloody hurts!!! I ripped two of my fingernails off a couple of years ago, and I was in agony for at least two weeks.. and I really do mean the sort of pain that makes you feel sick.

You can wash the toe/nail and then wrap a plaster or steri strips around it, and there is a chance that the nail may re-bed itself if you do it quickly enough.. but it is more likely that the nail will fall off in a day or so anyway.

Put him in sandals, no socks, lots of fresh air to the area, and tell him to try his best not to catch it on anything for as long as possible as it will be very painful.

A & E wont do anything, other than x-ray the foot to check nothing is broken, so if you are sure that isnt the case, you would be wasting your day going to A & E.