Maybe you have also had a case where the nail on your leg has changed color, a bruise has appeared under it that gets darker every day, your toe hurts, maybe you don't understand what could be the reason for this, but remember that the problem appeared after a long walk, it's bad, the nail is damaged and requires appropriate treatment. The story is told by the podiatrist of "Veselības centrs 4" branch "Medical center T/c "Acropole" Anda Pētersone - Diļevka
We can injure the nail not only in unsuitable shoes. Consequences and treatment may also vary depending on the mechanism of injury. The damaged nail can fall off, and when it grows back, it is not always beautiful and healthy, because it can become thinner, rough, and can split vertically or horizontally. Over time, it regains its original appearance, but it may be that after trauma it does not fully recover. Usually, the nail falls off if the injury was severe and the root was damaged as a result. If the tip of the toe is hit more, but the root remains intact, the nail partially bounces off the bed and interferes with putting on socks, catches and can suffer again.
It is important to notice the times
To be able to start treating an injured nail, you should first notice the problem. Such situations are not rare. That it is possible? An injured nail does not always hurt. If the nail is covered with gel nail polish, we notice that something is wrong only after removing the polish. The much-loved gel polishes cover the nails for several weeks, and during this time, the consequences of the injury can spread imperceptibly.
Be armed with patience
After an injury, a beautiful, healthy nail, with proper care, will grow back on the feet in 9-12 months, on the hands - after six months. In case of damage to the root of the nail, where the cells form the new nail, the result may not be very shiny. The nail will continue to grow rough, change the direction of growth, may split. Nature does not like emptiness! If the nail plate has been lost for a long time, the soft tissue, the cuticle takes its place and the nail can start to grow. A podiatrist can help here with nail plate prosthetics, applying a healing gel on the healed bed, modeling a new nail. In this way, the nail bed is preserved for the growth of a healthy nail and the cosmetic defect is eliminated.
To make the new nail grow faster:
- You should wear shoes that are as soft and comfortable as possible to relieve the stress on the affected toes, and you should reasonably limit your activities.
- Foot and hand hygiene should be carefully followed.
- In order to promote faster nail regrowth, you can use collagen and spirulina-containing products, both orally and applied to the nail.
- While the injured nail is growing back, it is recommended to use softening oils specially designed for nail care.
- There may also be a situation where the injured nail needs to be relieved so that it is not injured again during the recovery process. If there is a feeling that the nail is being rubbed, pressed in shoes, it has conditions that cause discomfort, you should use orthopedic orthoses, insoles , sleeves, pads or toe separators, depending on the specific problem.
Special prevention against fungal infection
Trauma can temporarily impair the circulation of the fingers and create a breeding ground for the development of skin and nail fungus. Fungal infection will prolong the recovery time, causing additional problems, so it is recommended to use antifungal medication on the nail prophylactically. We are talking about means that can be bought in pharmacies without a prescription. For prevention, as long as the fungal infection has not yet affected the nail, it is not necessary to use prescription drugs prescribed by a doctor. Pharmacies offer a wide range of drops, tinctures, and oils that can be used to prevent fungal infections.
What to do with an ugly nail?
Even if the nail is injured in autumn or winter, there is a chance that it still hasn't grown back. In the summer, when you want to put your feet in shoes with open toes, the injured nail can cause discomfort of an aesthetic nature. One of the ways to solve the problem is nail prosthetics. Nail prosthetics use medicated gel in a similar way to classic manicures and pedicures where UV gel is used. Podological gel is used in cases where part of the nail is missing or for some reason it does not grow at all. However, at least a third of the nail plate must be preserved for the prosthesis to hold.
THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF NAIL INJURIES:
- CRUSHED IN SHOES
- RESULT OF IMPROPER NAIL CARE
- BURNED WITH ULTRAVIOLET RAY LAMP
- RESULT OF DOMESTIC INJURY
UNTIL THE VISIT TO THE PODIATologist:
- Any injured body part should first be washed with soap and water. An alcohol-based agent or strong alcohol should be used for disinfection after an injury. If the wound is open, less irritation is caused by a water-based iodine solution, but the classic iodine-alcohol solution is also useful for dressing the skin.
- If the injury was caused by a sudden impact, a blow, you should immediately apply a cool compress or a piece of ice wrapped in a towel for ten minutes. It will stop the bleeding under the nail, reduce the pain. The leg should be raised higher, it should be given rest.
- If you notice an ingrown toenail, warm salt water baths or compresses can be used at home to reduce pain and ease the feeling of discomfort.
Original article on vc4.lv and in the magazine "Veselība" in the May 2021 edition