Having a dead toenail causes a lot of discomfort, pain and can make you reluctant to wear sandals casually or show your feet. The causes of this disorder are numerous, such as a mycosis or an injury (for example the repetitive impact of the toes with the inner upper of running shoes). Even if the nail is dead and has completely stopped growing, you can remove it and treat the underlying infection; this way, you can avoid complications and help the nail bed heal from the injury. With proper care, the nail returns to normal within 6-12 months. To ascertain your health, you should seek medical advice before attempting any removal operation.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Taking Care of a Bladder
Step 1. Check for blisters
Toenails often die from blisters (usually filled with blood) right on the nail bed. The skin under the nail dies and as a result the nail separates, rising from the finger.
- If the cause of the nail degeneration is something else, such as mycosis, there is likely to be no blister to drain. in this case, go directly to the "Remove the Nail" section and follow the same care after the procedure. If you suffer from onychomycosis, see your doctor for a prescription for a suitable antifungal cream.
- If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or other immune problems, don't try to break the blister under the nail. in these cases, persistent and difficult-to-treat infections may result, as well as wounds that do not heal well due to immunosuppression or poor blood supply. If you have any of these conditions, you should go to your doctor.
Step 2. Clean your finger
You have to wash the area with soap and water without neglecting your hands. It is essential that the nail and the hands are as sterile as possible before piercing the blister or removing the nail itself; if there are bacteria, you put yourself at risk of infection.
You should scrub your fingertip and surrounding area with a wad of iodine. this substance kills the bacteria responsible for infections
Step 3. Sanitize and heat the tip of a straightened pin or paper clip
Rub a clean pin, needle, or the end of a paper clip with denatured alcohol to sterilize it. put it in contact with a flame until it becomes hot.
- To best protect yourself from infections, you should perform this procedure under the supervision of a doctor. Anytime you try to have a home medical procedure - even the simplest one - you can cause an infection or make a painful or dangerous mistake. Consider going to the doctor or the emergency room instead of removing your nail yourself.
- If you don't feel comfortable piercing your blister with a sharp object, you can use the tip of a metal paper clip. If you've never drained a bubble, the paper clip is the safest solution; however, keep a sterile pin handy, in case you need to.
- Heat the brooch so that only the tip becomes hot while the rest stays warm; be careful not to burn your fingers when handling it.
Step 4. Blend the nail with the pin
Place the hot tip on the outer surface just above the bladder; hold it steady letting the heat create a hole.
- If you can access the hematoma from under the tip of the nail, you don't have to worry about melting the top; if so, you can drain it by puncturing it like a normal blister.
- Since the nail is not innervated, you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure, but don't apply pressure to avoid burning the underlying skin.
- Depending on the thickness of the nail, it may be necessary to heat the pin several times and place it in the same place.
Step 5. Pierce the hematoma
After creating a hole in the nail, use the tip of the pin to break the blister and allow the fluid to escape.
- To minimize pain or discomfort, you must wait until the tip of the tool has cooled to a tolerable temperature before proceeding.
- If possible, try to do this treatment near the outer edge of the blister, to leave as much skin intact as possible; never use your hands to pinch the skin, as this could transfer bacteria into the bladder.
Step 6. Take care of the wound
After draining the hematoma, soak your finger in warm, slightly soapy water for about 10 minutes; repeat this procedure three times a day until the hole is completely healed. Dry the foot, medicate the wound with an antibiotic or specific ointment for blisters and finally bandage it with gauze and a plaster; in this way, you protect yourself from infections.
Depending on the size and severity of the bubble, it may need to be drained several times until the fluid has completely disappeared. Always try to use the same hole you made in the nail
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Nail
Step 1. Wash your finger
Before trying to remove all or part of the nail, you must wash the area with warm soapy water; dry the skin well before continuing. By cleaning your foot, finger and nail in the best possible way, you prevent any infections; do not neglect your hands, to further reduce the chances of bacterial contamination.
Step 2. Try to cut off as much of the top portion
Eliminate the portion that rests on the dead nail bed, to prevent dirt and pathogens from getting stuck under it and thus speed up the healing process.
To minimize the chances of infection, you need to sterilize the nail clipper with denatured alcohol before using it; make sure it's sharp, as a blunt tool could tear your nail as you try to remove it
Step 3. Check it before cutting it
If it is already dying, you should be able to lift it from the skin without any problems; the portion you can tear off painlessly is the one you can cut away.
Step 4. Wrap your finger
After removing the top of the nail, wrap the area with non-stick gauze or a plaster. Exposed skin may be flayed and painful to touch; as a result, a bandage helps manage the discomfort. It is worth applying an antibiotic ointment to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection.
Step 5. Wait to remove the rest of the nail
Although each case is unique, you should generally wait a few days before removing the remaining portion (preferably 2-5 days). The nail is dying slowly and you should experience much less pain after a few days.
While you are waiting for the underside to die to be able to detach it, you must keep the area as clean as possible; wash it with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment and bandage it loosely with a bandage
Step 6. Tear off the rest of the nail
Once it is completely dead, grab the last stump and detach it in a single movement from left to right. When you start pulling you can see if the nail is ready to be detached; if you feel pain, stop.
If the nail is still connected to a corner of the cuticle, you may notice some bleeding, but you shouldn't feel severe pain
Part 3 of 3: Aftercare
Step 1. Keep the area clean and well medicated
Once the last part of the nail is detached and the reddened skin exposed, it is important to wash the finger with warm water and mild soap. You should also apply antibiotic ointment and wrap the area with a loose bandage. Remember that this is a wound and you should take care of it gently until a new layer of skin grows back.
Step 2. Give the nail bed some time to "breathe"
While it is important to clean and protect the wound, it is worth exposing it to air to allow it to heal. While watching television with your feet raised, remove the bandage. If you have to walk the streets of the city or in the park instead (especially if you wear shoes with open toes), keep the bandage.
Change the bandage every time you clean your finger; you should also do this whenever the gauze gets dirty or wet
Step 3. Treat exposed skin
Apply an antibiotic ointment or cream at least once a day to prevent infections. Continue until the new skin has grown back; In most cases, an over-the-counter product is sufficient, but if you notice signs of infection, you should request a prescription drug.
Step 4. Keep your feet elevated
Get them to rest as much as possible in the first few days after the nail is removed, especially since the finger is likely to hurt a little. When the swelling and pain have subsided, you can gradually return to normal activity, including exercise; however, avoid tiring yourself into something that creates foot pain.
- If possible, keep the area elevated when you sit or lie down; keep the finger higher than the level of the heart, to minimize swelling and pain.
- As the new nail grows, do not wear tight or thin-toed shoes which could trigger trauma; opt for closed shoes to protect the nail bed as much as possible during this phase, especially when exercising outdoors.
Step 5. Know when to call your doctor
Some symptoms, such as intense pain, may indicate the presence of an infection; the other signs are: swelling, warm skin around the finger, purulent discharge from the wound, red streaks branching off the injury, or fever. Do not wait for the situation to become serious, call your doctor as soon as you notice any abnormalities.
Warnings
- Do not try to remove the nail that is not completely dead; if you need to remove it for other reasons, see your doctor for surgery or outpatient surgery.
- If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or other conditions that impair your immune system, do not drain the blisters or remove your nails on your own.
