My husband is a construction worker and he just came home from work not too long ago and he dropped a 2x8 on his foot (something heavy) and now the toenail is like a purplish black color and he is in pain. He doesn't want to go to the hospital because he doesn't have insurance and it would cost an arm and a leg just to be seen. Does anyone have any advise?
2006-12-28 12:17:04 · 6 answers · asked by Anayden 4 in Health ➔ Other - Health
as a runner I've experienced or come across several black toenails...I never pierced one, I just waited til it dried up underneath and then it will fall off, but any fellow runners who decided to pierce to relieve pressure always used a HOT needle or paperclip held to the base of the nail or wherever the blood accumulated...be prepared, it may ooze and be gross for a few days so grab a box of bandaids..but relieving the pressure soon should help it feel better and could prevent the nail from falling off.. here's more info off the web: good luck!
Black Toenails:Treatment:
• If pain is acute, the hemorrhage beneath the toenail must be drained.
• In the field this can be done by heating a paperclip or sharp instrument and applying it to the nail plate until drainage occurs.
2006-12-28 12:41:50 · answer #1 · answered by pursuit_of_happyness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't recommend piercing the nail yourself because of the risk of infection, but understand how expensive an ER visit can be without insurance. Hold an ice cube on the toenail for as many seconds as he can tolerate it. Clean the toenail off with alcohol. Take a needle that has been sterilized (either cleaning it with alcohol or boiling water) and pierce the nail until the blood starts draining out. Keep the foot elevated for 20 minutes of every hour for a few hours. Put a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice (wrapped in a washcloth) over the toes if he can tolerate the cold for 10 minutes an hour.
If the nail doesn't drain, if the toe becomes more reddened, if the pain gets worse with no relief, if he gets a fever, get to a doctor right away. Worry about paying for it later.
2006-12-28 20:27:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it will just eventually fall off. A friend of mine I saw over the holidays had the same thing happen and the same problem (only a finger nail in this case). it got weak, and released from the nail bed. the trauma will make the nail fall off. He just covered it with a band aid to hide it cause it's ugly.
Can I just add that I cannot believe you can't go to the doctor due to the bills??? That blows my mind. Here in Canada, I take myself and my kids to the doctor for something at least once a month. That sucks - I cannot imagine living that way. Really *** backwards for such a modern, western, civilized country.
2006-12-28 20:25:45 · answer #3 · answered by mishel24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use something like an open paper clip, or a safety pin and VERY carefully drill a hole in the nail. I have heard people do that and the blood that has built up squirts out and relieves the pressure. make sure you sterilize (sp) what ever you use to make the hole.
2006-12-28 20:20:35 · answer #4 · answered by Helen T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be really careful about piercing the nail because i once pierced a blister with a sterile needle but it still got infected and i was on antibiotics for a week.
2006-12-28 21:14:42 · answer #5 · answered by JG 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
drill a small hole in nail to drain blood and relieve pressure. nail will probably fall off. ice
2006-12-28 20:21:50 · answer #6 · answered by lil pit cat 71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋