What’s wrong with my toenail??

[Beachbreak2411]

Gross I know.. what is it though? I thought it must be a broken toenail at first.. but I really don’t remember doing it.. it’s getting red and sore at the edge now. It’s grown out a bit since I first noticed it.

Fungus?

Fungal

Def a fungal infection. Go to the gp as there is a med for this - you have to take it for as long as it takes the nail to grow right out but it does work

Looks like a fungal nail infection and the nail has split.

You can see your GP about it but they probably won’t do anything and will probably advise you to buy an over the counter paint on treatment like curanail. There is an anti fungal tablet but it is really nasty (liver toxicity) and so doctors are very reluctant to prescribe.

I’ve had a fungal big toe nail infection for about 4 years, from running trainers. I’ve been using the file and paint on treatments religiously for that time and it hasn’t helped, though the infection hasn’t spread to other nails. Basically, once you’ve got it, it’s really bloody stubborn

Thank you!! Will ring drs to ask but think will try the OTC stuff. I had a nasty infection after an operation in the ankle on this foot and had to take v strong anti bios for ages which had toxicity risks for liver so would want to avoid anymore really. I did have a cast on too for 7 months so guess that could’ve caused damage to nail and the fungus 🤢

It can work it might just take years and you'll have to do it every single day.

Vicks Vapo Rub has been known to cure nail fungus. But you need to apply it several times a day over several weeks.

@CaptainChannel

Def a fungal infection. Go to the gp as there is a med for this - you have to take it for as long as it takes the nail to grow right out but it does work

What makes you think that? Why do advise OP to go to the GP?

I am intrigued…

No seriously OP, in my professional opinion, as a specialist in such matters. From your pics it looks like trauma, 99% sure it isnt fungal. Looks like you have another nail growing underneath, which is causing the top nail to become sore, impacted and or to ingrow slightly at the sides. A visit to a foot specialist/ podiatrist/ chiropodist will sort it and tidy it. GP will not touch it, as they are not specialists in such matters, you really need the problem sorted and medication wont do that.

Yes I agree with previous poster you need to go to a podiatrist - I had a similar thing and they sorted out whereas numerous doctors had no idea.

Thank you.. Now I’m thinking more about it my cast (air boot type thing) was very uncomfortable on my big toe so maybe it was a lot of pressure and it “killed” my nail. There is another nail underneath which looks healthy. Was hoping it would all just grow out and be ok but was worrying it looks slightly ingrown. I don’t have much feeling in my foot after the break and ops / infection so fact it hurts a bit concerned me.

Yup, casts are known things for causing nail trauma. I would go and get it safely removed, it wont hurt and also get them to check down the sides of the nail as i suspect there is a little bit of nail ingrowing. Things will then quickly be back to normal and you will be comfy again in no time! Don't leave it to get badly infected, sort it sooner rather than later.

Thank you; will find a podiatrist tomorrow and give a call. Thank you for your advice! Xx

I know nothing - but thank you for showing us your toenail.

^^

@AuntyFungal

I know nothing - but thank you for showing us your toenail.

^^

Haha.. you are welcome.it’s so grim. I’d done a 10 hour shift waitressing with no break so everything looks manky. My shoes fell apart this shift (walk so much shoes only really last 2 months)

Oh dear. I shouldn’t have clicked. Good luck though (I have my own toenail problems to deal with, so know that you’re not alone)

My son had very similar after a toe trauma. The old dead one eventually came away in a very satisfying moment. The second toe nail that grew was also a bit layered and peeled off but the final one that grew was fine.

From my extensive Youtube watching of podiatrist videos, it’s trauma, not fungus. All the vaporub in the world is not going to help it. The ridge is the giveaway.

It looks like fungus because the nail has lifted and dead skin, sweat and dirt accumulates underneath making it discoloured.

This guy has something similar but has left it untreated longer-

m.youtube.com/watch?v=r-kDnuiMyb4

My nail looks almost identical and podiatrist said it was a shunt trauma. The redness can be a sign of infection if the nail has split through and bacteria or fungus has got in.