Hi,

My Nan is 84 and a Insulin dependant diabetic. She was told by her doctor when she was diagnosed as Diabetic, to always look after her feet and wash them daily and Diabetes can cause foot problems that can develop into Gangarene etc.

Anyway this is the problem. A few hours ago I was cutting her toe nails and noticed her nails are very thick. Similar to a fungal infection but without the discolouration to the nails. I cut her nails the best way I could but her 3rd toe nail is practically falling off. There is a small black discolouration under the nail itself and there is also some flaky skin stuff that looks like a lot of white stuff, but its attatched to the nail bed itself and coming from underneath the nail (its attatched to nail). All of her toe nails have this underneath but this one is worrying her a bit because she's Diabetic. The nail that is falling off actually has another nail coming through underneath - like its pushing the original nail out.

Is this Diabetic related? Its not hurting her and there doesn't seem to be a infection present.

Thank you. :blob_fire

I would like to have a doctor look at her foot but she is very stubborn and say's she doesn't need to see a doctor because it isn't infected. In my Nans opinion its simply a lose nail. :confused:

Maybe I am overreacting but its bugging me. Yes, I know about neuropathy as I'm well versed with Diabetic issues but I'm not sure what to do about her foot. :cool:

My experience with people in that age bracket is that the nails are usually very thick. This is an area that needs watching. Medicare (US of course) will pay to have the nails cut every 3 months. I have not done this but I know others that do.

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BVan (Betty)

Please read and follow the posting rules.

It is extremely important to report anything unusual on a diabetic foot. I would consider" black discoloration" under the toenail unusual enough to have her see her PCP or a podiatrist. A possible necrotic area can expand and result in surgery.

Hi again,

Thank you for your replies. I'm taking her to see a Chropodist tomorrow about her feet. :)