Toenails take a beating! Whether it’s from stubbing your toe, wearing too-tight shoes, or just general wear and tear, injuries to your toenails and the nail bed underneath are pretty common. Some of these injuries are minor, but others can be quite serious.
Taking care of a damaged toenail bed is super important. The sooner you address the problem, the better your chances of preventing complications and helping your toe heal properly.
This article will walk you through the common causes of toenail bed damage, different types of injuries, what you can do at home, when to seek medical treatment, and what to expect during the recovery process, so you can learn how to fix damaged toenail bed.
Types and causes of toenail bed injuries
Toenail bed injuries can happen to anyone, and they can be painful. Usually, they aren’t serious, but sometimes it’s a good idea to see a doctor or podiatrist for help.
Common causes
Most toenail bed injuries are caused by:
- Impact injuries: These can happen when you stub your toe or drop a heavy object on your foot.
- Cuts and punctures: Stepping on something sharp can cut or puncture the nail bed.
- Repetitive pressure: Wearing shoes that are too tight can damage the nail bed over time.
Types of toenail bed injuries
Here are some of the most common types of toenail bed injuries:
- Subungual hematomas: This is when blood pools under the nail, usually from an impact injury.
- Lacerations: These are cuts that go through the nail and into the nail bed.
- Avulsions: This is when the nail partially or completely separates from the nail bed.
Initial Self-Care for Minor Toenail Bed Injuries
If you’ve just injured your toenail bed, here’s what to do:
- Remove jewelry. Take off any rings or anklets on the injured foot right away, before swelling starts.
- Clean the wound. Gently wash the area with fragrance-free soap and water. Pat it dry with a clean towel.
- Bandage and protect. If there’s an open wound, put on a sterile bandage to protect it.
- Manage pain and swelling. Apply an ice pack for about 20 minutes at a time. Elevate your foot above your heart to help reduce swelling.
- Apply Compression. Use a bandage to apply gentle compression to the area. This can also help with the throbbing feeling.
When to seek professional medical attention
It’s always a good idea to see a doctor if you’re concerned about a toe injury. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following:
- Significant blood pooling under the nail
- Deep cuts or lacerations around the nail
- A nail that’s detached or partially detached
- Signs of infection, such as increased redness, pain, swelling, or pus
- Persistent bleeding
- Fever
- Inability to put weight on the foot
Medical treatments for damaged toenail beds
Sometimes, at-home treatments aren’t enough to heal a damaged toenail bed. Here are some of the medical interventions a doctor might recommend:
Treatment Options
- Draining subungual hematomas: If you have blood trapped under your toenail, a doctor can perform trephination, which means drilling a small hole in the nail to release the blood and relieve the pressure.
- Nail removal: In some cases, the doctor may need to remove part or all of the toenail to treat the damaged nail bed.
- Nail bed repair: If your nail bed has a cut or tear, the doctor can use sutures (stitches) to repair the laceration. They may also reattach the nail or use a replacement material to protect the nail bed as it heals.
Additional medical interventions
- Antibiotics: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection, especially if the nail bed is broken or exposed.
- Tetanus check: If your toenail bed was damaged in an accident, the doctor will check to make sure your tetanus immunization is up to date.
- X-rays: To rule out fractures in the toe, the doctor may order X-rays.
Pain management
Dealing with a damaged toenail bed can be painful, so here’s how to manage that pain:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help. Just make sure you follow the dosage instructions on the label.
- Prescription pain medication: If your injury is severe, your doctor might prescribe something stronger. Talk to them about your options.
Wound care and infection prevention
If you’ve damaged your toenail bed, here’s how to keep the area clean and prevent infection:
- Keep it clean: Gently wash the area every day with soap and water.
- Apply antibiotic ointment: This will help you prevent infection.
- Change dressings: Follow your doctor’s instructions for changing the bandage.
- Watch for signs of infection: Contact your doctor if you notice increased redness, pain, swelling, pus, or fever.
Recovery and potential complications
How long it takes for your toenail bed to heal depends on how badly it was injured. Be patient! Even with the best care, it can take a long time.
Recovery timeline
Generally, you can expect the initial healing of the nail bed to take several weeks. Toenail regrowth may take up to a year.
How quickly you heal depends on:
- The severity of the injury
- Your body’s individual healing rate
- How closely you follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for wound care
Potential complications
Even with proper care, complications can arise. These may include: nail deformities, chronic pain, infection, and toenail fungus; some may wonder if Bacillus Subtilis can really help. nail deformities, chronic pain, infection, and differentiating fungus toenail hematoma vs melanoma.
- Nail deformities, such as ridges or bumps on the new nail
- Chronic pain
- Infection
- Nail fungus
Frequently Asked Questions
Can damaged toenails be fixed?
Whether a damaged toenail can be “fixed” depends heavily on the extent and nature of the damage. Minor damage, like a small crack or bruise, often resolves on its own as the nail grows out. More severe damage, such as a partially detached nail or an injury to the nail matrix (where the nail grows from), may require medical intervention to prevent infection and promote proper healing. In some cases, the nail might heal with some cosmetic imperfections, but a KeryFlex nail restoration kit may help to restore damaged nails faster.
Can nail bed damage be reversed?
The reversibility of nail bed damage also varies. Mild damage to the nail bed can often heal naturally as long as the underlying cause is addressed and proper care is taken to prevent infection. However, severe damage to the nail bed, particularly involving scarring or disruption of the nail matrix, can be more challenging to reverse completely. In these situations, the nail may grow back with deformities, thickening, or discoloration. Consulting a dermatologist or podiatrist is crucial to assess the damage and determine the best course of treatment to optimize healing and minimize long-term issues.
In closing
Damaged toenail beds need care as soon as possible. Taking care of them early on can help them heal the best they can.
If you have a severe injury or see signs that it isn’t healing well, get medical advice. It’s better to be safe and get it checked out.
With the right care, most toenail bed injuries will heal well, even though it might take a while.