Toenail removal... Help

[Loulz]

I dropped something on my big toe about 3 weeks ago, it was checked and isn't broken. She warned me the nail might need to be removed if it doesn't grow out with the new. I dropped the part on my nail bed so toe nail is black but it has lifted and slit the skin open behind my cuticle. I'm going to the docs tomorrow to have to checked out but I think looking at it, they will have it removed.

Real question... Is it awful? I have really good pain tolerance and will do what I have to, but, I have a horrendous phobia of needles. Irrational, embarrassing and far too full on but it's instinctive I feel like I'm going to die (I know, dramatic - no one hates it more than me). I always have from being very young and having a bad experience.

It's that bad I was adamant I would have it removed without local, which I know is ridiculous, and would be so painful but I'd honestly rather trap my fingers in the car door a few times than have local injected in my toe!

Can they give me anything to make me a bit loopy? I needed gas and air for tooth removal, has anyone ever heard of them doing something like that for this?

If it needs done I'll obviously do it, but I'd like to make it as panic attack, and embarrassment, free as possible.

Experiences? And sorry for the stress rant! I've been googling... oops

I don't know how painful it'll be, but I've lost toenails before, and that's the way they come off. I'd be tempted to just leave it - if it comes off by itself it's pain free!

(As in you get a slit near the cuticle, and the rest of the nail separates from the nail bed as the new nail grows. Not sure I'm explaining that very well!)

If you leave your toe nail for longer (cover it with a plaster to stop it catching on anything) it will die off quite happily and one day it will just fall off of its own accord.

My sister regularly loses her big toe nails due to her medication and she happily just leaves them. That way there is no pain involved as the nail is completely detached from any nerves.

Minimonkeysmum No that's exactly it! Like the nail under and behind the cuticle has slot the skin and is detaching.

I'm tempted to leave it then... Isn't infection likely with toes though?

I don't think infection is likely - the nail bed will dry out before it comes off (if you leave it), so shouldn't be too risky, but you could always put a non stick dressing on if you're worried. I've lost a few toenails, and whilst it's a bit grim, hasn't hurt or caused problems (other than the original injuries!)