Dead toenails can make you painful and uncomfortable wearing sandals or showing your toes. Toenails can die from a variety of things, including injuries (such as repeatedly pinching the front of a shoe) and toenail fungus. Even if your toenail has died and has stopped growing, you can still remove it and treat the infection that caused it. By removing your fingernail, you can prevent infection as well as help it recover from injury. In addition, with proper care, your toenails will return to normal within 6-12 months. However, to really confirm the condition of the toenail, you should first consult this problem with your doctor before you try to remove it.
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Part 1 of 3: Treating the Swelling
Step 1. Watch for swelling of the nails
Toenails often die when there is swelling (usually blood-filled) on the underside. This swelling causes the skin under the nail to die, and once the skin tissue dies, the nail separates and lifts from the toe.
- If the cause of death of your toenail is different, for example a fungal infection, swelling may not occur. Continue reading the "Removing Toenails" section in this article and follow the instructions for removing and aftercare. In the case of a yeast infection, see a doctor who can prescribe an antifungal cream.
- Don't try to drain the fluid under your fingernails if you have diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or have a compromised immune system, as this can lead to long-term infections that are difficult to treat and lack the blood flow needed for recovery. In such cases, you should consult a doctor.
Step 2. Clean the toes
You should clean your toes and the area around your nails with soap and water. Also wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure your toes and hands are completely clean before attempting to remove the fluid under your fingernail or removing it. You are at risk of infection if there are bacteria in that area.
You may need to apply iodine to your toenails and the area around them. Iodine is known to kill bacteria that cause infection
Step 3. Sterilize and heat the tip of the needle or paperclip
Rub the rubbing alcohol on the tip of a clean, sharp needle or paperclip to sterilize it. Heat the tip of your chosen sharp object over a fire until it looks red hot.
- To avoid infection, it is best to carry out this sterilization process under the supervision of a professional health practitioner. Trying to perform a medical procedure at home (even if it's simple) runs the risk of causing infection or dangerous errors. Consider visiting a doctor or emergency clinic so you can get medical help instead of trying to do it yourself.
- Dull, metallic paper clips can be used instead of pins if you're afraid of sticking a sharp object into the swollen area. If you haven't tried this before, paper clips may be safer to use. However, keep sterile needles handy as you may need them.
- Just heat the needle tip. The rest of the needle will feel warm, but only the tip should be heated until it is red hot. Be careful not to hurt yourself while handling the needle.
Step 4. Make a hole in your nail with the tip of the needle
Place the heated tip of the needle over the nail, just above the swollen part. Don't move and let the heat on the needle melt the nail until it punctures the hole.
- If the swelling can be reached by inserting a needle into the tip of the nail, you won't need to make the hole again. You just need to remove the liquid from the swollen part by sticking the tip of a hot needle.
- Since there is no nerve tissue in the nail, the hot needle used to make the hole won't cause you any pain. However, it's best not to press the needle when punching holes in the nail so that the layer of skin underneath doesn't burn.
- You may need to heat the needle and repeat the above steps several times at the same point depending on the thickness of the nail.
Step 5. Insert the needle into the swelling
After perforating the nail, use the tip of the needle to puncture the swollen area. Let the liquid inside drain out.
- To minimize pain or discomfort, it is best to allow the needle to cool slightly before inserting it into the swollen area.
- If possible, try to stick the needle around the outer edge of the swollen area. Try to keep the skin under the nails intact. Never touch this layer of skin with your hands as this can lead to infection.
Step 6. Treat the wound
Immediately after removing the fluid from the swollen area, soak your toe in warm, slightly soapy water for about 10 minutes. After that, soak the toe in soapy water for 10 minutes, 3 times a day until the swelling is completely healed. After soaking the toe, apply an antibiotic ointment, or ointment for swelling and then apply gauze and a bandage to the toe. This treatment will help prevent infection.
Depending on the size and severity, you may have to drain the fluid under your toenail repeatedly until it is completely gone. Try to get the remaining fluid out of the area through the same hole in the nail
Part 2 of 3: Removing Toenails
Step 1. Wash the area around the toes
Before attempting to remove part or all of your toenail, first clean your toe with warm, soapy water. Dry your toenails before continuing. Cleaning your soles, fingers, and toenails as thoroughly as possible before removing your nails will help prevent infection. In addition to the soles of the feet, also clean your hands to reduce the risk of bacteria entering.
Step 2. Trim the top of the nail as much as possible
Trim the part of the nail that is above the dead skin layer. Thus, bacteria and dirt will not be easily trapped there. Trimming your nails will also help speed up their recovery.
To minimize the risk of infection, it is best to sterilize nail clippers with rubbing alcohol before use. To avoid tearing your nails, it's best to use a sharp nail clipper instead of a blunt one
Step 3. Check the nails before trimming them
If the nail has started to die, you should be able to easily remove it. The part of the nail that can be pryed painlessly is the part that needs to be trimmed.
Step 4. Wrap the bandage around the toe
After trimming the tops of your nails, wrap nonstick gauze over your toes with adhesive tape. Newly exposed toenails may still be fragile and sensitive. Therefore, placing a bandage on the toe will be beneficial to minimize the discomfort you experience. You may also need to apply an antibiotic ointment to the surface of the skin to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of infection.
Step 5. Wait before removing all the toenails
While each case is different, it's best to wait a few days before removing the entire toenail (at best, wait 2-5 days). After a few days, the toenail will slowly die off so it won't hurt too much when you remove it.
While waiting for the underside of the toenail to die and be removed, keep it as clean as possible. This means washing them with soap and water, applying antibiotic ointment, and applying loose gauze
Step 6. Remove all remaining toenails
Once the entire nail is dead, remove it in one motion by pulling from left to right. When you first remove, you will know if the nail is ready to come off. If you feel pain, stop.
A little blood may come out if the nail is still attached to the corner of the cuticle. However, the pain should not be severe
Part 3 of 3: Providing Aftercare
Step 1. Keep the nail clean and apply a bandage
After removing the entire toenail so that the skin underneath is exposed, you should clean your toe with warm water and mild soap. In addition, you should also apply an antibiotic ointment and apply a loose bandage to the toe. Remember that your toe is injured, and you will need to give it gentle care until several new layers of skin grow on it.
Step 2. Give the skin time to "breathe"
While it's important to keep your toes clean and protected, it's also a good idea to expose your nail skin to air and give it time to recover. Watching TV with your foot propped up is a great time to remove the bandage and expose the toenails to air. However, during a walk in the park or around town (especially with bare feet), it's best not to remove the bandage on the toe.
Change the bandage every time you clean the wound. You should also change the bandage whenever it gets wet or dirty
Step 3. Treat the exposed skin
Apply an antibiotic ointment or cream to the toe at least once a day to help prevent infection. Continue this treatment until a new layer of skin grows on it. Over-the-counter creams are also helpful in most situations, but you may need a prescription cream if you have an infection.
Step 4. Rest your feet
Try to give your feet time to rest for the first few days after the nails are removed, especially since it will be very painful by then. Once the swelling and pain has subsided, you can gradually return to your normal routine, including exercising. Just don't force yourself to do activities that cause pain.
- If possible elevate your legs while sitting or lying down. Support your feet so that they are higher than your heart. This can help minimize any swelling and pain you may feel.
- As the nail grows, avoid wearing tight or narrow shoes that might cause injury to the nail. As much as possible, wear closed-toe footwear to protect the nail bed during recovery, especially if you engage in outdoor physical activities.
Step 5. Know when to see a doctor
Symptoms such as severe pain can be a sign of infection. Common symptoms of infection include swelling, burning sensation around the toe, discharge of pus, red streaks coming out of the wound, or fever. Don't wait for the infection to get serious, call your doctor immediately if something bothers you.
Warning
- Don't try to remove a toenail that isn't dead yet. If your nails need to be removed for other reasons, consult a doctor for medical procedures, both surgical and non-surgical.
- Do not try to drain the fluid from the swelling or remove the toe if you have diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or another disease that affects the immune system.
