Broken toenail - help!

[MrsFogi]

I have no idea how it happened but the toenail on my big to has broken pretty far down. I take it I should leave it on. But the questions are - should I do some sort of fix on it + can I still paint the nail/use nail varnish remover or am I likely to get an infection/will it sting like hell?

How far across has it broken? If just a small section, I would say leave it alone and paint etc as usual. Make sure you thoroughly clean the area twice a day though to reduce likelihood of infection (treating yourself to a daily warm water foot bath with lavender and/or tea tree essential oils would be good.

If it has broken a fair way across the nail, can you bring yourself to remove it totally? Or would it be too painful? I had similar situation a couple of years ago. Managed to remove the bit which had broken and then had a false nail put on at a salon until the natural one grew beneath.

BTW, nail polish remover should only sting if the skin has been broken too. Otherwise, it should be fine.

TRMJS - it's broken about 5mm up from the root and the break goes about three quarters of the way accross the nail so I'm going to end up with a very exposed (and no doubt sensitive) toe if I have the guts to pull it off.

ouch

Then I would either keep it wrapped with a plaster - not attractive but at least it won't snag. Or go to a salon and see if the pedicurist can help. She may be able to cut it off for you and apply a false nail which will help protect the nail bed until the new one grows through.

I had this happen on holiday (bashed my big toe getting out of swimming pool)

I fixed it with superglue! Yes really! Its just growing out normally now.

This happened to me a few years back. I tried to keep it but it just gradually detatched itself. The bed was not sore underneath (probably as it had healed before it dropped off) and I used to paint varnish on the bed (OK, it was a few years back, bit manky and studenty I know!) Anyway I had no problems and it grew back completely normal.

Can I just say Ouch! And yes, superglue should do the trick.