Anyone a nurse or chiropodist? Or ever lost a toenail?

[Tigerwhocameforsupper]

Very random… but after swimming this morning I have lost most of the layers of my big toe nails! It’s worse on one foot than the other and is really sore.

I haven’t scraped them, can’t think of anything that could damage them, other than swimming this morning but it may not be linked. It’s just part of the nail rather than the whole thing. Other nails are slightly scuffed looking but not sore.

One toe is very very thin and pretty much just skin left so I assume I can’t put anything on that. But is there anything I should paint onto the other one to try and thicken it up?

Picture for attention. It’s so random and has never happened before!

I have pulled my whole toenail off several times. The first time I panicked (diabetic) and went to minor injuries (I did phone first to check it was worth going). It’s just one of those things. I have never found anything to prevent it so following with interest

What are the dark patches, did you have a nail infection.

@FleasInMyKnees

What are the dark patches, did you have a nail infection.

Nail polish! The chlorine in the pool stripped the polish off but also seems to have taken every layers of nail off with it.

I’ve lost toe nails from playing sport, running and tennis. They grow back fine - it takes a while.

It looks like it has been filed, very strange.
When you walk do your big toes lift up and rub on the top of your shoes?

@Ruth2009

It looks like it has been filed, very strange. When you walk do your big toes lift up and rub on the top of your shoes?

Yes it does feel like it’s being filed, it’s really odd!

I did do a new exercise class last week and wore trainers I've not worn in ages so could possibly have caused some damage then and then the water made it worse.

Is it polish or gel?

I often lose toenails from running. It's from the shoes being too tight/small and the nails bump. Feet swell during exercise so I now buy half a size up.
Get padded socks for your exercise class and relace your trainers into bunny ears (Google is your friend here) It will centre your heel better and stop toe tapping.

@Hobnobsandbroomstick

Is it polish or gel?

Just normal polish that’s been on for a number of weeks!

Do you do a lot of exercise or activities?
Make sure your footwear is deep enough and long enough, make sure they have a fastener so your foot doesn't slide forward in the shoes.

Are you swimming in a river/the sea where you might have brushed your toes against stones?

I'm not a podiatrist, but I think, if an entire nail comes off, they somehow attach a plastic, temporary nail on there, which grows out with your natural nail. I believe this holds the sides of the nail bed apart and stops the skin growing into the part where the nail should be. If there is still some nail though, even if thin, then the skin shouldnt grow over it.

Otherwise, just book to see a podiatrist.

@Ruth2009

Do you do a lot of exercise or activities? Make sure your footwear is deep enough and long enough, make sure they have a fastener so your foot doesn't slide forward in the shoes.

Not at all! This was the first exercise class in years and didn’t involve any running so I doubt it’s happened there.

@Elouera

Are you swimming in a river/the sea where you might have brushed your toes against stones?

I'm not a podiatrist, but I think, if an entire nail comes off, they somehow attach a plastic, temporary nail on there, which grows out with your natural nail. I believe this holds the sides of the nail bed apart and stops the skin growing into the part where the nail should be. If there is still some nail though, even if thin, then the skin shouldnt grow over it.

Otherwise, just book to see a podiatrist.

Just the leisure Center pool with the kids.

I would consult a podiatrist. If they remove all or just part of the nail, it will eventually grow back so long as they don't take steps to destroy the nailbed.

Have you been kneeling down a lot putting pressure on the top of your nails?
I don't think the nail needs to come off, it doesn't look infected, nad you haven't said it's painful. Just let it grow out and try to avoid any pressure on the area in the meantime