to be obsessing about my toe nail....?

[Bellyrub1980]

I've had a deformed big toe nail for over 10 years due to it being stamped on by a high heel in a nightclub. At the time, the nail went back and started growing really slowly and really thick. Eventually half of the toe lifted away from the nail bed and I was left with what can only be described as a thorny stump!! Yuck! Ever since I've been superglueing an artificial nail over the top so it looks normal.

Anyway, earlier today the end of the false nail got caught on my sock as I was pulling it on.... OMG... total agony and I realised I've lifted at least half of what I have left of my natural nail off the nail bed.

The false nail was sort of flapping about and was so painful I trimmed it right down. So now I have an even thicker stumpy toe nail, but worse, it's swollen, red and throbbing. No blood though.

I literally can't put shoes on now. It bloody hurts!!!

What do I do??! I want to soak the false nail off (its glued on with superglue!!) but I'm certain that acetone will sting like buggery.

I can't help thinking my nail is hanging on a thread, but like a wobbly tooth, I'm too nerve to tug at it to see what happens!

It really hurts!! What shall I do???

[Bellyrub1980]

Back = black
Nerve = nervous

[Heratnumber7]

A&E.

[MrsA2015]

If I were you I'd get the toenail removed all together, and I wouldn't use superglue either! Head to a nail technician that can apply a gel nail, I've had them applied to my toes to aid ingrown toenails and attempt to make my hedious feet look nice

[MissSmiley]

We need a photo.

[Bellyrub1980]

A photo??? No way! My ugly big toe is one of my most identifying body features!

Plus people will use the picture for memes and I will be the laughing stock of an entire generation!!

[Longdistance]

Yes, a pic would be nice.

For now take some pain killers, and go see your GP or walk in centre.

[pieceofpurplesky]

This made my toes curl in a bad way. Either go to A&E now or docs tomorrow

[MissSmiley]

Sorry Belly I thought it might help!

[ShoutOutToMyEx]

Plus people will use the picture for memes and I will be the laughing stock of an entire generation!!

OP this is genuinely one of my biggest fears!

[loaferloveforyou]

If if was me I would put a plaster on it and a sock and hope it sorts itself out.

Not helpful I know, but I'm a big believer in sticking my head in the sand.

[Bellyrub1980]

loafer that's kind of what I'm doing, in as much as I've gone to bed and I'm positioning my foot as far away from the duvet as I can. What if it hitches on the duvet in the night?! (Terrified!!) But I can't stick anything on it. Imagine trying to take the plaster off. Maybe a adage would be good?

Have taken ibuprofen and paracetamol. If I had codiene I'd take that too!

I can't do a photo, genuinely, friends/family who have spent many a year recoiling in horror at the sight of it would recognise it. Just imagine an ugly-a-f big toe with a stumpy nail that is lifting off the nail bed, and some redness and swelling around the quick.

It's definitely not an A&E job. There's no blood. Just the terrible terrible pain.

Okay, not terrible terrible, but its pulsating.....

[NotTheBelleoftheBall]

For now take some pain killers, and go see your GP or walk in centre

I always think it should be called a 'hobble-in centre'.

[Bellyrub1980]

Is there a way of soaking off the false superglued nail without using acetone??

[TheSpottedZebra]

I'd tape it down, then cut it off with a scalpel, or go to a chiropodist who can.
Heck, that is exactly what I have done before.
Caution - I have no medical training but very messed up big toenails. But they're getting better now.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Sorry - gape not down to sleep, sock over the top.
Scalpel or chiropodist tomorrow.

[GreatFuckability]

Sorry, I know its not at all funny, but talk of being a meme has made me giggle so much!

Rip it off OP!

[JungleInTheRumble]

Go see a podiatrist! If it's very painful they should numb your toe to sort it out.

[Paninotogo]

Could you soak your foot in hot soapy water? Is it just regular superglue? Or is it actual nail glue? I agree you should look into getting gel nails, I am surprised it hasn't happened before now if it was just glued on.

[Fridaypodiatrist]

You poor thing - sounds very painful . I am a podiatrist and it sounds like catching your thickened nail has injured the nail bed . I would recommend you soak the toe in a warm salt footpath for about 10 minutes ( to clean it ) put a dressing on with an antiseptic ( to try to prevent infection ) . Make an appointment with an HCPC registered podiatrist who will probably reduce the thickness of the nail (which will make it look and feel way better , (can't stop it being thickened from the original injury ) . They can advise you what your options are . I see this sort of think all the time and although you feel horribly self conscious about it I ( and they) just Want to make things better for my Patient . Good luck !

[HelenaWay]

Heratnumber7

A&E.

What?!!! I don't think so.

[fussygalore118]

Book in to see a chiropodist! I lost countless nails through running and they have always sorted my feet out. Honestly it will be money well spent!

[Squills]

I have the same problem. My toenail grew back to almost normal length but the new growth wasn't 'attached' to the nail bed and I caught it and it got ripped off from the nail bed... this happened 3 times!! It's really painful - you have my sympathies.

I'd get some nail clippers and pare it down as far as you can then put a dressing on it. If you really can't get a shoe on then get one of those surgical sandal things - not glamorous but would help temporarily. I also found that Vicks Vaporub was soothing and it has antiseptic properties (eucalyptus and cedar wood oil) . Good luck !