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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Advice needed - do not read if you are squeamish

44 replies

Angelicinnocent · 09/01/2018 09:57

Posting for traffic. DD 16 had acrylic nails done for her birthday but has managed to catch the one on her little finger.

This has lifted the real nail from the nail bed. It looks like it is completely off except for a tiny bit of skin holding it in the middle but it is so painful to touch that I can't really have a good look and the acrylic nail is still stuck on so I can't see the actual nail.

It was bleeding last night and I gave it a soak in warm salt water then put a dressing on with some antiseptic cream to keep it clean and stop the dressing sticking. This morning it is weeping that yellowish liquid like you get from a graze.

I don't think there is any point going to GP as they won't be able to see any more than me with the acrylic nail on and I can't take the nail off. I am considering taking her to a & e to see if they can maybe take the nail off with gas and air or a local.

I'm worried about it getting infected or getting caught again and we go on holiday in a couple of weeks.

So advice please, should I take her to a & e or is this a waste of their time? Should I just keep it dressed and wait and see? Thanks

OP posts:

endofthelinefinally · 09/01/2018 10:41

The practice nurse is the best person to sort this out. They will have seen this sort of thing many times.

GetOffTheTableMabel · 09/01/2018 10:42

Do you have a minor injuries unit near you? We’ in the Cotswolds so a good 45 mins from a large A&E but do have minor injuries units in a couple of the local towns. I do also think it’s something GP or surgery nurse would look at & probably tackle. She probably needs the whole nail, with acrylic attached, removing & then proper dressing. May need antibiotics if infection is starting. It will grow back. I lost 2 full nails as a child & dd17 lost one & they’re all fine now. One of mine (slammed in door) did have a damaged nail bed and it grows a lot more slowly than my other nails but is otherwise fine. Don’t do nothing & definitely don’t let the salon tackle it. This is a job for a medical professional. Plunging the wound into acetone would be torturous.

JustaBasicBitch · 09/01/2018 10:42

I've actually done the same but on my ring finger- I would recommend holding the nail in place and using nail clipper to cut as sort as possible, then use a plaster to hold the 'wobbly' bit of the acrylic in place until it heels.

The NEVER go to the nail bars that use anything that strong again- you know which ones i'm referring to

saladdays66 · 09/01/2018 10:45

GP. They will be able to take the nail off.

FreddieClaryHorshieLion · 09/01/2018 10:50

Take the nail off, disinfect it, salt water soak... I’d probably wait to see whether it’s improving before calling the gp.

Original poster

Angelicinnocent · 09/01/2018 11:05

Have spoken to nurse. She's happy to have a look if I think it's infected but wouldn't do anything regarding removing the nail as in her opinion, it will need some form of anaesthesia as it will cause quite a lot of pain.

Her advice is to soak it twice a day in warm salt water and keep it dressed with antiseptic cream until it stops hurting, then have a look and see if we can remove nail.

If it appears to become infected in the meantime, local a&e to have it removed and cleaned or 25 miles to minor injuries clinic (rural area) for same. Probably quicker to do the journey than sit in a&e.

OP posts:

Glitterypinksoap · 09/01/2018 11:13

That sounds like useful advice Angelic Hope dd is more comfortable soon.

Original poster

Angelicinnocent · 09/01/2018 11:17

Don't know why I didn't think of ringing her for advice before and thanks to the pp who suggested it.

I'm not normally pathetic about injuries but this has really thrown me for a loop and made me realise I'm more squeamish than I thought I was.

OP posts:

IrkThePurist · 09/01/2018 11:32

Honestly, its so much worse when its your own kids - I'm usually the one that deals with gore, but when DS was safely in A&E after a nasty accident, I fainted. The nurses left me on the floor while they got on with it

Original poster

Angelicinnocent · 09/01/2018 11:42

Ha ha Irk

OP posts:

shakingmyhead1 · 09/01/2018 11:47

you can trim the false nail quite easily with scissors, yes even with the acrylic on,
and then have her lay her hand palm up on a flat surface and using a acetone nail polish remover,
soak a cotton pad ( the flat kind) and have her lay the nail on top and just keep replacing the pad and adding acetone, as long as she doesnt press down she wont get the acetone under her real nail , it will take a while but it will soften and you will be able to remove it

ShellyBoobs · 09/01/2018 11:59

up to the 80s it was called "caualty", then A & E, now called the ED or emergency Dept, although people insist on saying A & E.

They insist on saying A&E because It’s still called Accident & Emergency.

meandmytinfoilhat · 09/01/2018 12:06

Sounds painful and possibly infected.

I would visit GP or nurse. Keep it covered just now to protect it and let it air after it has been soaked in salty water or Epsom salts.

Minxmumma · 09/01/2018 12:08

My eldest now 21 has had acrylics for years and did something similar.
If you can cut the acrylic nail down as close to the finger tip as possible to prevent it snagging on everything. It WILL hurt for a moment but long term will make things easier. Soak in salty water a couple of times a day. She needs antibiotics for the infection. The rest of her natural nail will come off completely in a few days.

Sidge · 09/01/2018 12:11

If its leaking yellow fluid its already infected.

This is NOT TRUE.

Yellowy-clear fluid is serous fluid - it's a normal response in an injury or wound and is the plasma-type fluid leaking from damaged cells.

An infection would normally be signified by the presence of significant redness, heat, swelling, pus, or a mucky discharge from a wound.

Glad the nurse could advise you Angelic - don't be afraid to get it looked at if you're worried.

TheGirlWithAllTheFeathers · 09/01/2018 17:55

You might find that the GP has access to local anaesthetic too. If he/she thinks it'd be best at the hospital, then he'll refer you and you won't feel guilty about going to A & E.

nannybeach · 16/01/2018 10:37

Hospital where I worked and local one is called Emergency Dept.

ZoopDragon · 16/01/2018 12:03

A&E is for life threatening emergencies or serious illness!

Your GP/practice nurse will be able to deal with this. What do you think A&E would do differently??

Original poster

Angelicinnocent · 23/01/2018 11:02

Just an update for anyone who is interested. Nail became infected so took her to the minor injuries clinic. They then sent us to a & e as they are not permitted to do anything that could be classed as surgery. Apparently they get at least one a day and they have to send them to a & e if the nail is attached.

OP posts:

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