I ripped my middle toe-nail off

[Stg-Flame]

Today I was splitting firewood with a splitting-maul (axe). When I hit the last piece, the maul went right through the wood and hit my right shoe... very hard. I felt it hit my middle toe as well as in-between that and the toe directly to the left of it.

When I took my shoe off, I could feel my nail was bent completely backwards. I took off my sock to see the damage. It was bleeding quite bad with the nail bent at a 90° upwards from my toe. So I went and clipped as much off as I could which left the nail with no pieces bent - which was an excruciatingly painful process.

Anyways, I cleaned it with Hydrogen Peroxide and then bandaged it up with Vitamin E (I had no Triple Antibiotic on hand). I then drove back to where I am currently staying which was a very painful 45 minute car ride. When I got back here, I changed the bandage and put some Triple Antibiotic directly on the missing nail and took a shower. My brother brought me some of his pain pills (Tylenol Codine) and I have already taken one.

Now, I can see the three nails (middle + two one each side) turning blue from a bruise. With tonight being the first night, it shouldn't be too bad to sleep with it. Tomorrow is what I am not looking forward to. It will be swollen, no doubt, but I had planned on spending the entire day sitting in front of the computer doing homework anyways. On Monday, I have class from 10AM till 3PM. I am off on Tuesday and again on Thursday. I have another class on Wednesday and a lab on Friday.

Here is my concern:

First off, all of my classes are up-stairs - two flights while carrying a 20lb backpack to be exact. I also have a field-trip for my Honors Geology class planned for this Friday in which we will be going to the Shiprock Volcanic Neck.

Can anyone foresee any trouble that I will run into during the overuse of my right foot while climbing the stairs and hobbling to my classes? Also, I have almost a week before my trip which is highly recommended for honor's students. Should my toe/foot be healed enough where I should have little to no trouble hiking?

And yes, next time I will probably wear my steel-toed boots when splitting firewood. Hitting my foot twice in 15 years of splitting wood isn't bad, but this is the first time that I actually injured myself in the process.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

If you could some way get ahold of some copper peptide solution, that's your best bet for quick healing. Copper has been shown to be one of the most essential "nutrients" for skin healing, and your nails are an extension of the skin "system", so to speak.

 

[Stg-Flame]

The way you worded that seems like copper peptide won't be something I can pick-up on the shelf at Wal-Mart. Nor does it sound like it is cheap.

 

[Ballatician]

I injured my big toe about a month ago and it stayed bruised until this weekend when the nail decided to fall off. It seems like a new one was growing under there the whole time anyway and the paint really isn't too bad.

I would concentrate on keeping it clean like you did with triple antibiotic and a wrap, thats probably the best you can do in this situation. As for walking and climbing stairs hopefully it isn't too bad and you can "walk it off"

 

[Stg-Flame]

Well, I have been keeping my toe clean with Hydrogen Peroxide, letting it dry or drying it with toilet paper (my roommate doesn't have paper towels or clean bath towels), then putting Triple Antibiotic which has pain killer stuff in it, and then a band-aid. Apparently, it has become slightly infected.

I am trying to avoid seeing a doctor at all costs because if they cannot treat it with Antibiotics, they will want to do something to it which will probably require them sticking a needle in it. I have had my toes operated on before and received four shots in each of my big toes when I had ingrown toenails back in highschool. I can honestly say, I never want to get shots in my toes again after that ordeal.

Any tips on helping me get this thing healed?

Also, I have college on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to which I must put on a sock and shoe and walk around. I also have a hiking trip for my Honors Geology Class on the 15th of March. 1) How long do you think it will take for a new nail to grow, 2) Do you think that my toe will be healed enough to go on the hiking trip, and 3) if I go on the trip, can you foresee my toe getting any worse just from me hiking?

 

[Stg-Flame]

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[dakels]

If you are having signs of infection, you really should see a doctor asap. At this point a topical OTC antibiotic may not be enough. Depending on the conditions of the avulsion and especially the infection, you may need more aggressive treatment so the infection doesn't progress. I know you want to avoid the doctor very badly but you are taking a chance with possibly losing your big toe if the infection got bad enough (very unlikely), to at the least impeding the regrowth of the nail and overall healing (likely if not occurring already).

Your foot, especially big toe are subject to high pressures during walking/movement. It can really delay healing depending on how much you let it rest or not. That area is also very prone to infection due to the lack of air flow and high moisture content. Foot infections from a bloody open wound source are nothing to mess around with. I would strongly recommend seeing a medical professional to be on the safe side.

And would not worry about the copper peptide. What is probably most available to you is generally not for this type of injury. Most OTC tripeptide copper solutions are both very expensive and used mainly for topical skin treatment and anti aging creams.

Hiking in a week may not be the best idea either depending on your current condition and how well you repair and how long and intense the hike is. I'd ask your doctor. I would think that you can go, they'll probably just tell you things like, take it easy and rest as often as possible and wear stiff boots.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Well, I got some very strong antibiotics from my dad for when he had a bad infection and could not get rid of it (he has diabetes and doesn't heal easily). When my brother lacerated his hand during work, he took two of these (Cephalexin 500MG) and his infection cleared up within a few days.

About how long do you think it will take for me to start seeing any type of improvement on my toe (middle toe, my big toe was when I was younger)? I have been changing the bandage every day and have been sitting at the computer doing homework almost all day long for the past few days. Keeping my foot elevated isn't really an option while I do homework because the computer desk I am on, has a wooden partition in the back, blocking my foot from being raised.

As for the hiking trip, I called my professor and informed him that I will not be able to make it today, or on the 15th. Instead, there is a research assignment I must in do in place of the trip. So that should cut down the amount that I have to actually walk. However, I have to continue going to my classes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday which means putting a sock and shoe on and walking around.

I know seeing a doctor would be the best course of action at this moment, but if they prescribe any type of medicine, I cannot pay for it. My family does not have insurance, nor do we have the money to spend on a doctor. The reason we are so low on money is because our house burned down last month and we have been scraping every little bit of money together to help pay for living expenses (my mom is at a hotel, I am staying with a friend) and at the moment, we are just strapped for cash.

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Captante]

You can also try soaking your injured foot in a 3% Iodine & hot water solution for about 20 minutes in between bandage changes.

Realize however that if you start seeing significant swelling or red streaks in your skin in the area of the infection, you'll need to suck it up & go to a doctor no matter how broke you are ... if the infection makes it into your blood it could potentially be life-threatening.


Edit: While Cephalexin might be an effective treatment for the type of infection you have, you need to be cautious self-medicating ... taking an insufficient dose or taking it for too short a time could easily make your infection harder to cure.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Well, the infection is gone after a few days of self-medicating.

Thanks for all the responses. I can already see a significant amount of my toenail which has already grown back. Here in about two weeks or so, I should have a full nail.

 

[dakels]

Good to hear Chaoticpenguin666. I'll repeat what Captante said though in that self medicating, especially prescriptions for other people, can be dangerous. Cephalexin also also has a short self life (although longer then the packaging may indicate). It's not a good idea to take old medication in any event of course. Also, antibiotics are generally recommended to take in a course, not 1-2. Taking minimal to underdosages of antibiotics can lead to reinfection and microbial resistance.

About the health care situation, I'm sorry to hear about your predicament, but there are plenty of options. Many medical practices, especially hospitals and urgent care clinics establish either payment plans, or total coverage of expenses based on a case by case review and available funds. If they see you are unable to pay, you may be asked to pay a small % and/or the rest or all of your expenses will be paid for by a pre-established fund for people in need. I would check to see what subsidized or free clinics are available in your area so you know where to go in the future.

Lot of hoopla over a toe but it's just an example of something seemingly minor which can become very serious and complex (infection can be lethal, antibiotics could make you sick (GI/kidney/liver/heart), mild to severe allergic reaction, microbial resistance). While the percentages for risk may be low, when it comes to their health, you want 1%, not 10% risk.

Glad it worked out and keep and eye out. Discoloration, pain, inflammation, pus, are all signs of possible infection. It can happen at 2 days or 2 weeks. Also watch how your nail grows back. An signs of ingrowth should be treated asap as well.

Also, I'll repeat the obvious that this is a forum, a tech forum at that. Consider any advice here to be casual advice. Doesn't matter if someone is a doctor/podiatrist or not. We can't see and inspect your injury nor have your clinical history.