Ripped off toenail....??

Question

late Saturday night I caught my pinky toe on one of those mesh laundry hampers and it nearly ripped off my toenail. I've kept it wrapped in gauze with A&D ointment since then. I thought maybe it would fuse back together but it clearly isn't going to. It's ripped on the right side & top. Will it grow correctly if I leave it be or should I try and take it off? If i take it off (or if it falls off) how should i take care of it? Has anyone been in a similiar situation?

Any info would help, thanks!

Answer 1

My mom did this with the bottom of a screen door/ big toe. She went to the hospital because it kept bleeding. Anyway they soaked it in something, then ripped it off.

I just dropped something heavy on mine a month ago and smashed it. I soaked it in Epsom salts every night and then thoroughly (and gingerly) dried it. My nail dried up and eventually came off. I wouldn't put A&D on it only because you want it to come off sooner or later and it will go quicker if it is allowed to dry up. Maybe then you'll be able to trim the dead part off and let it grow out. I wouldn't rip it off, only because it will be RAW underneath and you don't want to damage the nail bed.

If you are really concerned or think it is infected, see a DR.

Answer 2

I can't help myself but touch it. If you want something done about it, I'd see a doctor.

I forever rip the middle finger nail on my Right hand off. It's forever has a bandage on it. I then get ingrown nails, because I play with it. :(

I've begged my doctor to remove the nail, and put a fake one in it. Because it's that bad.

I've ripped off heaps of nails, I constantly get them caught where they can get hurt. They have grown back fine, but when I play with them I get ingrown nails - Which hurt!!

I feel your pain. I ripped my nails more times than I care to admit.

Answer 3

Leave it alone and let it fall off and grow back on its own.

I had a friend in middle school who's fingernail came off

Answer 4

The tissue underneath is sensitive.  So, as long as it continues to grow, just trim the end and eventually you will have a new nail.  Warm salt water     soaks daily will help cleanse and desensitize the exposed nail bed. A little tape may help keep any sharp edges from snagging and ripping it off prematurely.

Answer 5

well not my toenail, actually my friend accidently slammed my hand in a door and my pinky nail came completly off, but it grew back just fine in about a month. My advice is you should try and take it off and just let it grow back, your nails grow all the time anyways (why do you think we trim them with toenail clippers? =)  ) so it wouldn't matter anyways, it'll grow back soon and fine.