Whether caused by an injury during sports or activities at home, a broken toenail can be very painful. A fingernail fracture or "avulsion" of the nail can cause part of the fingernail to dislodge or even fall completely. Fortunately, with proper cleaning and care, broken toenails can be treated at home as long as you watch for signs that require a doctor's help.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating Injuries at Home
Step 1. Treat the remaining nails
Some cases of nail "avulsion" are mild enough that most of the nail is still attached to the nail bed. However, some other cases may cause the nail to fall off completely. After an injury, treat the remaining nail properly to heal it. Leave the nail that is still attached, no matter how big. If part of the nail is missing, use nail clippers to gently trim it as close to the cuticle as possible or to the part that is still attached to the nail bed. Trim the nail along the fracture line.
- File the remaining nail until smooth. This way, you can prevent them from snagging on socks and blankets.
- Ask friends or family for help if you're having trouble or are afraid. Children may need help from an adult to treat a broken fingernail.
- If you wear a ring on your toe, be sure to remove it before starting to treat a broken toenail. You can use soap and water as a lubricant if the ring is difficult to remove, or call your doctor if you can't remove it yourself.
Step 2. Stop the bleeding
Press the bleeding area directly with a clean cloth or gauze. Keep pressing on the area for 10 minutes, or until the bleeding stops. Lying down and elevating your legs with pillows will also help slow the bleeding.
If the bleeding in your toe doesn't slow down after 15 minutes of pressure, seek medical attention
Step 3. Clean the wound thoroughly
Wash your toes with warm soapy water and a washcloth. If the injured area is dirty, rub gently until the dirt is lifted. Also remove any dried blood or debris from the injured area. Don't hesitate to ask friends or family for help when cleaning the wound. Clean the area as much as possible to prevent infection.
Pat the injured area dry with a clean towel or washcloth. Do not rub a towel on the area because it can trigger bleeding
Step 4. Apply antibiotic ointment
Once your toe is dry and clean, apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin, Polysporin, or another antibiotic ointment to the entire injured area. You can buy this ointment at most pharmacies, without a prescription.
- This drug is also often available in the form of a cream. Be sure to buy the ointment as it is better able to prevent the bandage from sticking to the wound.
- If your skin is intact and not cut or scratched, just apply a small amount of petroleum jelly, no need for antibiotic ointment.
Step 5. Apply the bandage to the toe
Purchase sterile gauze or non-stick bandages and bandages. Apply gauze or bandage to the injured toe (cut it to a proper size, if necessary), then wrap it around the toe tightly. Leave enough gauze on the top of the toe so that it can be folded over the nail and form a kind of protective "cap" that can be easily removed later. Place two pieces of tape on the top of the finger crosswise (forming the letter X). Use two pieces of tape to attach the bandage to the toe so it doesn't shift.
- Purchase a nonstick bandage, or be sure to apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly before applying the bandage. Be careful when removing the bandage so that the fingernail or the injured area doesn't pull on it. If the bandage sticks, soak your toe in warm water for a few minutes to make it easier to remove the bandage.
- Don't wrap the toe so tightly that it turns red or purple and numbs it. The bandage should be tight enough and not shifting, but not too tight.
Step 6. Change the bandage daily
Every day, gently remove the bandage, then wash your toe with warm soapy water. Reapply the antibiotic ointment and put on a new bandage. If your bandage gets wet or dirty, replace it with a new one. Do this treatment for 7-10 days until the nail bed (the soft and sensitive part under the nail), hardens again.
Ideally, put a new bandage on your toe every night before going to bed. This bandage will prevent your injured nail from snagging on the blanket or hitting something while you sleep
Method 2 of 3: Reducing Discomfort
Step 1. Apply ice packs frequently on the first day
On the day you have an injury, apply an ice pack every 2 hours for 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling in your toe. Put the ice in a plastic bag, then wrap it in a towel before sticking it to your toes. That way, it won't feel too cold.
After the first day of injury, apply ice packs for 20 minutes 3-4 times a day
Step 2. Elevate the soles of the feet
If your toes are throbbing in pain, lie down and elevate the soles of your feet with a pillow above your heart. This step can go a long way in reducing swelling. Do it for the first 48 hours after you experience the injury.
Step 3. Use over-the-counter pain relievers
Ibuprofen and naproxen will reduce swelling and pain. Meanwhile, paracetamol can not reduce swelling, but can reduce pain. You can buy these medicines at pharmacies without using a doctor's prescription. Remember to follow the instructions for using the drug listed on the packaging.
If you have heart disease, kidney problems, high blood pressure, or have ever had stomach ulcers, consult your doctor before using these drugs
Step 4. Wear open or loose shoes for a few weeks
Tight shoes will put pressure on the injured fingernail. So, wear open-toed shoes or loose-fitting shoes to relieve pressure and promote nail recovery. Wear these shoes for as long as necessary for your feet to feel comfortable.
Method 3 of 3: Visit a Doctor if Needed
Step 1. Seek medical attention if you detect any signs of infection
Despite your best efforts to treat the injury, you may still be infected. Red streaks will appear on your toes, soles, or feet if they become infected. You may have a fever of 38 C or higher. Discharge of pus (white thick fluid / other color) is also a sign of infection. See a doctor if any of these signs occur because the infection can be serious.
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if your toe is infected. Use antibiotics as prescribed until they run out
Step 2. See a doctor if the pain, redness, or swelling of the wound gets worse
See your doctor if your pain interferes with sleep or daily activities, doesn't improve 2 hours after taking pain medication, or gets worse over time. Seek help if the swelling in the wound gets worse or doesn't improve after using medication, applying an ice pack, and elevating the sole of the foot.
Consider something like, "My toe hurts more today than it did yesterday, and Panadol can't help it. Is this normal?" or "What kind of swelling is normal?"
Step 3. Get yourself checked if your nails turn black or blue
Sometimes, an injury that damages the toenail (such as if you hit it with a heavy object) can cause a subungual hematoma or bleeding under the nail. This bleeding will cause blood to accumulate under the nail and feel uncomfortable due to the pressure. These bruises are dark blue, black, or purple in color that look like splashes under the nail. If the size is less than of the nail, this bleeding will subside on its own. If not, see a doctor as accumulated fluid may have to be sucked out from under the nail to prevent pain and injury from getting worse. Don't try to suck blood from under your own nails or help someone else do it. See a doctor.
The doctor will make a very small hole in the fingernail to drain the blood. This procedure shouldn't be painful, and after that you will feel better because the pressure on your fingernail will be less
Step 4. See a doctor if the area around the broken fingernail appears damaged
The normal growth of fingernails is determined by the presence or absence of damage to the nail bed. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails after they grow back, consult the possibility of minor nail bed surgery. If the damage to the tissue around the nail is obvious, your nail may not grow back or look different. However, some of these problems can be solved.
The time it takes for fingernails to grow back completely is between 6-12 months
Step 5. Ask for help if you can't clean the wound
If you've spent 15 minutes or more cleaning the wound but still see debris in it, seek medical attention. You should clean the wound thoroughly to prevent infection. So, if you can't do it yourself, seek help from someone.
Depending on the cause of the injury, you may also need to have a tetanus vaccination. If the wound is dirty and the last time you had a tetanus vaccination was more than 5 years ago, then you will need to have another tetanus shot. If the wound is clean and the last time you had a tetanus vaccination was more than 10 years ago, you will also need to have another tetanus shot
Step 6. Get an X-ray if your toe is immobile or looks odd
Many nail "avulsion" injuries can also cause bone fractures. Check your fingernails to see if they can be bent or straight. If it doesn't, or if your toe is sticking out in an odd direction, then the bone may be broken. Seek emergency help and an X-ray.
