I had a toenail injury. The doctor told me that the nail will have to be removed. I am hesitant. Please help.

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a question here. I had a toenail injury last month (cause: fell down, toe landing first onto the floor, which made the nail get loosened). I did go to the hospital to get it treated. The doctor cut off half of my nail, cleaned and dressed it, and kept re-visiting to get the dressing changed. The doctor said that I could stop re-visiting. And then she told me that the nail would have to be removed again after it grows back fully. But, I am hesitant and kind of rejecting to do so.

After a month, the nail is not loose anymore, but the nail seems to be growing outwards, and between the nail and the nail bed, there is a gap (kind of like a hollow gap inside).

Should I just wait until the nail fully grows back?
Should I cut it?
What should I do?

I am really worried that it will not grow and it will completely fall off once I start wearing shoes. Please note: I am going on a horse riding and hiking camp the next month.

Just in case if it does not grow back by then, what should I do or wear to protect it?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your worry. I think you need to follow your doctor's advice (get the nail removed surgically), as it seems that the nail is detached from its bed. But get the procedure done only by a surgeon or a dermatologist.

And get it done as soon as possible, because the earlier you get it done, the more the chances are that your nail will grow back before next month. If the nail has not grown back completely before then, do a good sterile dressing during camping.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.