Help, how do I treat a badly broken toenail?

[kinki]

ds (7) dropped something heavy on his big toe 2 months ago, resulting in a black nail.

Tonight he bashed it and now the black bit - half of the nail - has broken, leaving just the side of it attached. Its very painful to touch.

Anyone know if I should cut it off, or just wrap it up and see what happens. If I cut it off, it would leave half the nail bed with no nail, is this ok? I hate nails!

TIA.

I'd leave it be - put a plaster around it, fairly firmly, to hold the nail in place (put some lint on first so that the plaster isn't sticking to the actual nail) and leave it alone unless you think it's getting infected (in whic hcase remove plaster, soak in blood-heat water with some disinfectant, put on new dressing and replace plaster).

I popped my thumb nail off almost entirely about three months ago by shutting my finger in the door jamb, and followed this approach. By the time the nail came off completely, the nail bed had healed up a bit and a new nail was growing underneath.

He might also appreciate some ibuprofen!

Thanks pw, that makes sense. Must admit I didn't even think of painkillers, good plan. I think I can see the start of a new nail behind the old black one so hopefully there'll be no infection.

That thumb sounds painful. Why are nails so yukky when injured?!

Having dropped something heavy on my toe a few months ago and now having a black nail, I am bearing this in mind (it is all right at the moment, but I am conscious it could get rather worse at some stage).

It's a horrid business. The quick is so damned painful when it's exposed.

I must admit, when I did my thumb in, I called my parents (who live half-an-hour's drive away) and got them to come over and help with putting the kids to bed (DP was on a late shift) cos I was so woozy. All I could do was sit with my head between my knees and try not to faint. And I'm 36!

Right, painkillers in and hopefully working soon. He'll have to let me near it to wrap it. I've got a feeling it might even be off by morning, because not much is holding it on.

Don't blame you AT ALL calling your parents. Nails and eyeballs are the grossest things ever when it comes to injuries IMO. Ds is trying to be brave, I'm failing to be brave. Hope your nail grew back big and strong.