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!

@QueenOfPain no, the bone was not exposed. Similar, more extensive trauma to the nail, which came off completely in the accident, a lot of blood, broken unexposed phalange.

Posting at 1am I forgot to say that we went to A&E, and that dd was given antibiotics to prevent infection. But, yes, the doctor did say that, as long as we kept the wound securely covered and changed the dressing regularly, dd not only could go into the sea, but was to be encouraged to do so. Chlorinated swimming pools, though, were to be avoided.

I cut my toe (small cut) and got an infection it in just days before a big holiday, expensive of a lifetime for a special anniversary. I’d planned to do lots of swimming, time on the beach and in the sea etc. It wasn’t very painful but it was annoying and I’m an adult. I appreciate it’s upsetting. I wore one of those beautiful verruca guard socks and was able to get on with things as normal.
Hope you find something like that to help and do keep an eye on things as toes can get infections. Enjoy your holiday. :)

Would a pair of aquashoes help ? they are soft so shouldn't press on it and will keep the sand out, maybe a palster underneath the shoe and take it off at night to let the air get at it.

Or these - aqua socks
here
I know they are amazon but they might sell something similar nearby or you could get a next day delivery ?

Why are you calling it an ‘accident’ OP, as opposed a o an accident?

sorry
here

hope that link works

WalkofShame lol, that's exactly what I was thinking.

OP, tell them to log it in an accident book, wrap it in a plaster with a sock to hold it in place and move on. Jesus, why would you let that ruin your holiday?

Verruca sock would work,

Are you serious?

I must be a terrible parent as I'd put a dressing on (maybe) give a cuddle then not give it a second thought.

Well, op doesn’t want it to get infected? Hardly ott.

OP sounds very sensible to me despite what other MNers are saying. She has said about going to a pharmacy for advice. This is exactly what I would do, pharmacists are brilliant at giving advice I always find. Also wanting to know if there is an accident book this should be entered in is normal. Hope your DD is feeling a bit more perky today OP and you can all enjoy the rest of your holiday.

I don't blame you for being worried, she could pick up a nasty infection and injuries like that bloody hurt.

And knowing how small caravans are I wouldn't be happy with a manky old fridge kicking about my tiny space either. It should either be moved or you should be given a new caravan.

What's with all the dick responses ?? Honestly

Please don't let her go in the sea with an open wound!

It's not like swimming in salty water at home, sea water is full of nasties that could cause infection. Not to mention bits of sand that could work their way into the wound and cause further issues.

How is she feeling now?

I think the best course of action would be to wash it in skin-safe disinfectant and water. Then dry it, wipe it with a cleasing wipe, put a toe bandage on it and then for your DD to wear a Verruca sock in the sea and to wash it in disinfectant water and dry it for at least three nights and then wipe and re-bandage each morning.

I don't think you're unreasonable to get the incident logged in an accident book- the freezer door must be too close to the floor.

Vibrio vulnificus is not an issue in the uk (yet, I suppose global warming might change that). Just because somebody puts on an authoritative tone and throws around a bit of Latin on an internet forum it doesn't make them a medical expert. Much more inclined to believe the 'get on with it' nurse types. However OP I think going to the pharmacist is the right call and hopefully it'll heal up soon.

My son did this - cycling round the campsite whilst wearing flip flops - the first time we had ever taken their bikes on holiday! Went to A & E as the big toe nail had been torn right back and was bleeding LOTS!! lovely nurses wrapped it up in a big bandage and told him to try and keep it dry for a couple of days (bin bags on foot whilst showering etc) but then just to give it a good rinse after going on the beach/in the sea once the wound had 'set'. He was 13 at the time!

next year, middle son sliced his foot (very deeply) on a sharp tile on the bottom of the swimming pool - went to same hospital, same instructions. This wound was a flap of skin which sort of set itself in place as I put such a tight bandage on for the trip to hospital it stopped the bleeding !! I was quite proud of my first aid

Admittedly this was 2012 when, as parents of teens, we weren't quite as hyper-aware of the assorted infections around!

I did my toe in about 3 months ago. Split the nail near the base. It has only grown out about 3mm in all that time and I am currently on antibiotics as it became infected. Inevitable when I can't wear sandals to work. Everyday it leaks pus and blood. It is the most disgusting thing. So I don't blame OP for being worried!

OP keep it covered and I think that should grow out fairly quickly unlike mine

Hi everyone, UPDATE Happily it looked pretty clean this morning so went to the pharmacy and got THE LAST PAIR OF VERRUCA(E) SOCKS IN THE SHOP in this little seaside town!
All seems nice and watertight and secure so DD is much happier - as am I. Confident it will heal up/grow out nicely now.
Again thanks so much to everyone being kind both about my DD situ and then in my defence against against the mean girls. Surprised to not be told the MN classic "Get a Grip" in this instance!

Happy Summer Holidays Everyone

Unfortunately opening a door (freezer or any other door) over your own toe is way too easy to do. I am a supposedly grown up, mature adult, and I have done it too many times - and it is sore!!

I think that the fact that it is so easily done means that there is little that the holiday site could have done to prevent it, so I'm not sure it merits entry in their accident book.

I'm glad your dd is feeling a bit better this morning, and you have a solution that means she won't miss out on her beach fun. I was going to suggest a pair of those neoprene shoes that you can swim in (I'm sorry, I can't remember for the life of me what they are called) - they are a bit sturdier than the verruca socks so might give the toe a bit more protection - but if the verruca sock works for her, feel free to ignore me!

Glad it's sorted, OP!

I'm still laughing about the advice from @scubadive, "salmon on at night". Not sure fish is going to help matters!

(assume you meant savlon)

What's with all the dick responses ?? Honestly

1. Injuries outside of one's own home trigger the tabloid readers (compensation culture blah blah).

1. It's Mumsnet.

OP you can get spray plaster in a can, brilliant stuff. It forms a seal over the wound and once dry is waterproof and you can keep putting layers on. I use this one, it does sting a bit on the first application but I think it would work really well on your daughter's toe

Ooh
Thanks alphajuliet123 - I'm going to get some of that.

(DD did puncture her veruca sock within about an hour..!)

That stuff is fabulous, I’d forgotten it even existed! Must keep one in stock.

Do be aware that stuff stings like a bastard. I had to throw mine away