Sandy beach holiday ruined for DD by mashed toe nail

[ForgotwhatIcameinherefor]

Arrived at lovely holiday park today, glorious sunshine, really pleased with the caravan...
After a couple of hours on the sandy beach and in the sea (water not even cold!) and a scoot around the shops to pick up some essentials; 10 yr old DD has opened the freezer door across her toe nail and done this. She's only just fallen asleep after a LOT of tears on and off, ice pack, etc. Really hurt her. I texted the site warden a couple of times and got no response. It's a really crappy thing to happen on the first night of a week intending to be spent pretty much entirely in sand and saltwater :(((
The fridge freezer looks to be a temporary(?) edition as the fitted one is switched off/not working so this is sitting on carpet nearby with the door really low to ground.
What should I expect from the holiday park management by way of assistance? But mainly, what is best to do for her toe for the beach? Any help/suggestions appreciated. It's such a disappointment after thinking (for once) we are sooo lucky with the weather!

[BlueSkiesLies]

You can get toe condoms - people with bunions use them but they would be good to keep it protected maybe?

Otherwise a good dressing and take it secure?

[HeadintheiClouds]

Ooh, that looks awful . Yes to waterproof dressing

[GibbonLover]

What do you want the site warden to do exactly?

[user1473878824]

Your daughter opened a door on her toe. It’s not really the warden’s fault, it’s not like it fell on her. There isn’t really much they can do? Looks nasty, poor DD. Lots of ice, see how it is in the morning. Plaster, carry on as usual.

[blue25]

What? Just get on and enjoy the holiday. It's not the end of the world is it? 🙄

[Herocomplex]

She might need some pain relief as well, have you got calpol?

[Papergirl1968]

Ouch!
I’d leave it uncovered to be honest as the sea water will help it heal.
When not on the beach you’ll have to be careful that her sandals don’t rub on it.

[scubadive]

Salt water is good for healing. Just cover it to stop it getting knocked, salmon on at night. It’ll heal by the end of the holidays.

[seaeagle]

Just leave it - it's not a huge wound, just a slightly torn toenail. The salty sea water will be good for it. At most, put a little bandage on it.

[Likethebattle]

Toe injuries bloody hurt but it’s no ones fault. Your daughter injured herself, if she’d done the same at home what would you expect? The waterproof sock sounds the best idea to keep it dry and clean.

[Nottobesoldseparately]

I would put a bandage on it to keep the sand out, but allow the salt water in.

It will be fine and ruin nothing.

[BanjoStarz]

What sort of response were you expecting from the site warden?

She opened the door on her own toe...there’s not a lot they could have done to prevent that, accidents happen.

Second the verucca sock suggestion, but tbh, I’d cut the nail down as much as she will let you and then let it be exposed to the air and salt water.

[tryingtobebetterallthetime]

Big ouch!

While salt water is good for cleaning wounds, I would be careful about thinking any old sea water is healing. You can get quite serious infections from some bacteria that live in sea water. You don't necessarily know how clean a particular beach is.

Also, walking on the beach will expose it to dirt etc. I might want to follow the suggestions about keeping it covered. You can get "finger cots" that you could adapt to cover the toe. Or as one poster suggested toe cots. I just checked on Amazon and they have them. Even if they keep the toe just mostly dry, you will keep the wound cleaner.

I hope it heals quickly.

[Whoops75]

That will heal Really quickly
I’ve done it a few times with our bathroom door.

Please don’t go down the compo route, accidents happen.

[Tavannach]

There's a big risk of infection with toes. Lots of antiseptic cream, then bandage it. Only uncover at night when there's no risk of infection.
This is from the NHS for more extreme cases but it's helpful.
www.hct.nhs.uk/media/1109/after-nail-surgery.pdf

Frankly I'd get it checked at a local GP or clinic.

[QueenOfPain]

Don’t leave it uncovered and go in the sea, either don’t go in at all dress it and get some kid of occlusive rubber sock for the foot. There are several recorded sepsis death after people have gone in the sea with open wounds/new tattoos, etc.

[HeadintheiClouds]

I thought seawater was antiseptic?

[JoxerGoesToStuttgart]

Ooh that looks really sore!

Have you checked the fridge door to see if there is anything poking out that shouldn’t be? Is it quite a heavy door? I’m trying to imagine doing that with my own fridge door and I’d have to use real force to do that kind of damage I think as the door isn’t that heavy.

[taylorowmu]

I think what has happened is called an accident. It's not ruined your holiday, stick a verucca sock on her when you are at the beach, keep an eye on it in case it shows sign of infection.

[IAmNotAWitch]

That sort of thing hurts like a bitch when you first do it but then gets healing pretty fast in my experience.

Give her some calpol for the pain tonight and encourage her not to worry about it too much.

Saltwater is a cure for most issues in my family so we would just leave it be and keep half an eye on it in case of infection.

Accidents happen.

[QueenOfPain]

Seawater deffo not antiseptic, it’s absolutely full of bacteria, viruses and protists.

Vibrio vilnificus is an example of a “flesh eating” bacteria which can be common in coastal sea water.

Just not worth the risk.

[QueenOfPain]

*vulnificus

[tryingtobebetterallthetime]

Yes, vibrio was on my mind too.

[HeadintheiClouds]

Wow. It’s a wonder I’m still alive then. We’d be routinely sent into the sea with burst blisters, cuts and grazes as kids. Because seawater is antiseptic. Why have I never questioned that since??