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Suggest Treatment For Toenail Falling Off After An Injury

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Posted on Mon, 11 Jan 2016
Question: This is an update. My thumbnail did eventually fall off after I peeled off the dead skin it was hanging on. The center of my nail bed has become white. How can I help it heal faster, safer. I am currently using a xeroform bandage with bacitracin and a gauze wrap. I am on optional Keflex. The culture tests done the past week came out negative for an infection but my temp is 99. Applying rubbing alcohol to test for open wound, it does not sting, except a bit sometimes on the left, bottom side near the cuticle. Hydrogen peroxide bubbles, but makes it cleaner and I use a brand of soap without perfume in it. The center of my nail bed turns white to a light yellow if I do not wash it for a few hours.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
healing normally

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for returning to HCM with your health care concerns

I see you had some injury to your nail and the nail fell off. The white part you see is the new nail growing back. There is no way to increase the speed of healing. Nature will go at its own pace.

I recommend that you stop all creams ointments, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol to the area. All these efforts are hampering the healing and killing the new tissue. I would recommend using a regular soap and keep the area covered and prevent further trauma. The less you do the better results you will get.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (6 hours later)
Thank you for your quick response. If I do not wash the thumb injured area three times a day, the white part (what you said is the nail growing) starts to turn yellow. I am unsure if just soap and water will keep it glistening white. I have not used ointments except bacitracin, but I was thinking of jojoba oil and Vitamin E combination. Would oxygenated water help, or sterile salt solution to wash it in?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (43 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Treat with plain soap and water

Detailed Answer:
There is no reason t use anything special to keep the wound clean. Just use soap and water or your saline solution. Using oxygenated water is unsubstantiated and does not offer any significant improvement in wound healing.

I can reassure you that this treatment and cleansing will keep your nail growing properly. Additional scrubbing will only remove growing tissue and lead to scarring.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Toenail Falling Off After An Injury

Brief Answer: healing normally Detailed Answer: Thank you for returning to HCM with your health care concerns I see you had some injury to your nail and the nail fell off. The white part you see is the new nail growing back. There is no way to increase the speed of healing. Nature will go at its own pace. I recommend that you stop all creams ointments, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol to the area. All these efforts are hampering the healing and killing the new tissue. I would recommend using a regular soap and keep the area covered and prevent further trauma. The less you do the better results you will get. I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions