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Original poster

Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail?

71 replies

user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 19:33

I realise style and beauty may not be the right area.

Excuse my manky foot.
I had my toe nail removed year ago after it was ingrowing. They applied something on it to stop it growing back. But it looks a mess!

How can I disguise it in the summer?
The chiropodist said to paint the skin, but it flakes off withing hours. I've also tried a fake nail and that too just falls off v quickly due to shape of my nail bed.

You can see it's growing back slightly and I have to keep it trimmed back etc. But I only did that a few days ago! It's all v high maintenance and quite frankly embarrassing.

Any ideas? I appreciate it's an odd problem....

Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail?
OP posts:
FogCutter · 25/05/2018 19:35

A chiropodist can treat this by putting a type of false nail on it.

Undercoverbanana · 25/05/2018 19:39

I am a runner. Currently missing 4 toenails. Just wait for it to heal over and paint the skin the same as remaining nails.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 19:40

Really? That's not been mentioned to me at all?

Would it be different to ones I can buy myself and apply with nail glue? I can't get them to stick as the nailed is so sunken. It doesn't help that the bit at the end of the toe is also raised now!

I used to have gorgeous feet. They are swollen trotters now (with no toe nail!)

OP posts:
Neato · 25/05/2018 19:41

You can buy stick on manicured false nails from Superdrug

pigpoglet · 25/05/2018 19:41

I would paint the skin 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 19:42

banana doesn't yours just flake off?

I painted it a pale pink earlier in week and by lunch time it had flaked off.

OP posts:
unintentionalthreadkiller · 25/05/2018 19:54

I painted the skin for ages when I lost both big toenails after a very long hike.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 20:02

Maybe I need to apply a top coat or something? Or a base coat? I'm not really into this type of stuff! So probably doing it wrong.

OP posts:
WindyWednesday · 25/05/2018 20:05

Nail polish won’t stick to skin, it will come off. I use a plaster over my missing toenail. No one comments, unless it’s a Disney princess plaster.

vampirethriller · 25/05/2018 20:11

My toenails on my little toes never grew and I've always just painted the skin

Bubblysqueak · 25/05/2018 20:12

you can get breathable nail polish from boots which I use where my big toe nail is supposed to be, it works well.

butterry · 25/05/2018 20:36

Go to a nail salon and have an acrylic nail put on the big toe, it will paint much better! It should stay on at least a month but I would have it maintained at salon every 3 weeks just to check water doesn’t get caught underneath and cause problems because your real nail isn’t growing out so smoothly.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 20:44

Thanks everyone!

Will try a few of these out. Don't the plaster trick before Grin.

If I can get a falsie on I'd be happy. Like I said, my DIY attempts have failed. Will try asking someone else to do it!

OP posts:
WillyPlonker · 25/05/2018 20:51

Acrylic will do the trick. Ask your nearest nail salon.

FogCutter · 25/05/2018 20:59

Yes google toenail reconstruction, much better than just putting a normal acrylic false nail on.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 21:07

OMG fog that is exactly what I need!

Thank you Flowers

OP posts:
FogCutter · 25/05/2018 21:09

You are welcome!

Undercoverbanana · 25/05/2018 21:42

Nope - have been painting hardened skin for donkey’s years. No probs. Skanky, but true.

southernharp · 26/05/2018 12:19

Omg. Is this my foot? But both of mine are like this. The end of the toe is too swollen to allow a standard false nail. I have had this issue for more than20 years and would lov nicer feet.

Eminybob · 26/05/2018 12:32

Both my big toenails fell off just before I got married.
My nail lady painted gel polish into the skin and it lasted as long as the honeymoon.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 26/05/2018 16:24

Thanks everyone. I'm so glad I'm not alone with this problem! I feel like people are staring at my feet when I wear my sandals. I also have terrible fungal infections on that one foot. The other foot is beautiful! The GP won't treat it as it's cosmetic (which I get-but I've not found anything that's worked. Had it now for 15 years).

I'm on a mission to sort out my appearance. And this has been bugging me for far too long.

I will try all these suggestions. I'm going to start with a more expensive gel style polish and top coat.

OP posts:
Madbengalmum · 26/05/2018 16:36

I specialise in toe nail reconstruction, do not stick an acrylic nail on to your toe. You will make the situation worse, it can be rectified no problem,but you need a qualified foot health professional to look at it.

Madbengalmum · 26/05/2018 16:38

Also doing a proper job will last up to four months.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 26/05/2018 18:47

mum any rough estimate how much this would cost?

I'm also worried a nail technician wouldn't consider helping due to the rest of the toilet nails on that foot being infected by this bastard fungus! Tbh, it's what's stopped me asking for help before.

I do have a friend who is a v experienced nail technician. Is what you are suggesting a very specialised area? I should just ask her, but I'm a bit embarrassed.

I'd LOVE to have it last over the summer!

OP posts:
paceyswife · 26/05/2018 19:23

I stuck on a false nail when this happened to my big toe - removed it when at home and not showing feet in public

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