Suggest Treatment For Discolored Toe Nail After Injury

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 13 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I was playing basketball and someone landed on my toe, and it became discoloured. After a few month it is now starting to fall off. I would say that it is about 80% loose (ready to come off pretty much from the left side bottom cornor and 80% across the part that's not loose yet is the bottom right cornor and top right cornor). I'm just wondering if I should let it fall of naturally or just remove it or if I should clip the lose area. Also I noticed there to be a scab under the lose area (dried blood most likely from the injury). How would I remove this or should I just wait for it to naturally come off as well?

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Your query not clear Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your query. From your query it is not clear whether you have damaged your toe nail or toe bone. It seems that you are talking about your toe nail. In such a scenario I would suggest that you visit your family physician. He will remove the toe nail so that the new (not damaged) toe nail can grow. We can also let it fall naturally, but chances are that it may grow back damaged. So getting it removed by family doctor is a better choice. If you mentioned about toe bone than blood supply of your toe is hampered and toe is getting necrosed. Get color doppler of affected foot and x-ray of affected foot focusing that toe in AP, Lateral, Oblique done and send me the report, to see the level of necrosis and bone involved. You should not wait to let your toe necrosed and fall down by it self, but you should take medicine like vasodilators e.g Pentoxifylline, prostacyclin or get it amputated. I hope it helps. You are welcome to ask further health related queries. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer 5 points for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-chander-mohan-singh/67013 Let me know if you have any concerns. Thanks. Dr.Singh.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (40 minutes later)

Hi, It the toe nail that is falling off. I'm currently out of town for 13 more day's so I won't be able to see my family doctor until my return. Will it be fine if it naturally falls out by then?

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Yes. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the response. Yes it will be fine if it naturally falls out by itself. You can apply ointment beta-dine 2 times a day on it. I hope you have got your answer. Regards. Dr.Singh.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj