reuben
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Post by reuben on Feb 24, 2016 16:55:58 GMT -8
So, here I am, over 2 months after my South America trip, and I still have two very black big toenails (one day I went on a hike, got off trail near the end, and ended up rather crushed in a few different ways). One is coming off - it's just a matter of time. Like probably tomorrow. I've taped it down for now.
Anyone have any experience with this? Just let it go? See my doctor or a podiatrist?
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foxalo
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Post by foxalo on Feb 24, 2016 18:23:43 GMT -8
My podiatrist has a bumper sticker on his car that says, "Toenails are for Sissies." So if your podiatrist is anything like mine, he'd probably remove it for you just so you are no longer a sissy.
I never personally had it happen, so I can't be of help.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 18:36:08 GMT -8
After you lose a few toenails you get to thinking why you even have them in the first place. The black is just dried blood. Like from the day you banged your toe. If the nail comes loose you just cut the whole thing off just like you'd normally clip a toe nail. Takes about 6 months to grow back. It's not really a big deal.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Feb 24, 2016 18:58:39 GMT -8
For me, depending how attached they are, I duct tape them on as best I can. I'd still see the doctor so they can tell you to keep it clean, watch out for infection, etc... which you already know. In my hiking prime, I literally lost at least one of my big toenails every year - Pouncing comes with consequences.
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Post by Lonewolf on Feb 24, 2016 19:07:49 GMT -8
I crunched a fingertip rather badly and it took close to 10 months for everything to fall off/get cut and grow back. Toenails are much the same. You have a ways to go.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Feb 24, 2016 19:15:08 GMT -8
If it's black it's coming loose, so just let it. In my experience the only thing to worry about is not rushing it. Keep it trimmed back so it doesn't hang on stuff, but let it do its thing. Once a few mm have grown in at the base, the dead piece will eventually fall off. The worst kind are those that are only half black, where the half is on one side, not the end. Then you have to--over time--trim that side back. I can't imagine bothering a doctor for something like that.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Feb 25, 2016 3:40:42 GMT -8
Thanks, everyone. Dr. Google and WebMD tell me not to worry as well, so that's roughly 5 out of 6 dentists, with TDale opposed. Given that he's a newt who probably doesn't have any toenails, I might not take his advice at the moment, although I still value it.
(And where is Spindle, anyway? It's a new board and she hasn't shown up, so it may be time to restore his manhood)
Keeping it clean and dry, at least in the beginning, to avoid infection, seems to be the key. A little Neosporin wouldn't hurt. I taped it down to keep it from snagging on socks and stuff, but it's just hanging on by a thread on one side, so it tends to flap around. I'll let it come off in its own sweet time, which should be in the next day or two - experience in similar situations has taught me that it's better to let nature take its own course rather than try to "help".
Foxalo, the Toenails Are For Sissies bumper sticker is sometimes displayed by runners, especially those who do marathons and ultraruns. They often have black or missing toenails. A few even have them all surgically removed to avoid the issue altogether.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Feb 25, 2016 6:08:07 GMT -8
Can't remember the last time I didn't have at least one black toenail. I blackened both big ones hiking down Mt. Rainier in frozen boots in 2014. Took almost a year before they were back to normal.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Feb 25, 2016 6:35:25 GMT -8
I've never lost a toenail or even had one turn black. Not sure I'd rather lose one or find one.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Feb 25, 2016 6:40:40 GMT -8
I had this happen to a friend. We both went on the same long hike. I was unaffected. I suspect it was a boot fit issue.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 25, 2016 7:32:47 GMT -8
Let it come off on its own. By that time, the new nail underneath should be well on its way. I damaged my big toe nail in August at Pictured Rocks, lost it about two months later, and the new nail is probably 2/3 way to the tip of the nail bed. Probably another 3-4 months for it to be fully covered. If you up your calcium intake, it might grow a bit faster.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Feb 25, 2016 7:36:32 GMT -8
I got the black toe last year after not cutting my toe nails before a long weekend of hiking. Three months later, I'm just beginning to see the normal colour below the black as it grows out.
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Post by hikingtiger on Feb 25, 2016 9:14:43 GMT -8
I've lost a few. Not a big deal. Never had any issues from it, they just eventually let go as the new nail takes it's place.
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Post by hikerjer on Feb 25, 2016 14:06:14 GMT -8
Same as hikertiger. I've lost two. It was no big deal. They both grew back over time with no problems. Kind of gross looking at them though.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Feb 25, 2016 19:36:57 GMT -8
Lost one in December. It was a touch sore for a day or two and then it was fine.
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