catara52
08-29-2007, 11:53 PM
A big spider was on the floor and I grabbed the newpaper and with tremendous force, smashed it. Unfortunately my pointer finger was bent down and I bent my fingernail.:( It bled a little, right in the middle of the red line it left. I put ice on it. It barely hurts, but I do see the red line. Is there anything I can do? What should I expect in the upcoming days or weeks? It is on my left hand and I am very left handed.
About an hour later it started throbbibg and hasn't let up yet. When will the pain lessen?
About an hour later it started throbbibg and hasn't let up yet. When will the pain lessen?
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Marti
08-31-2007, 08:13 PM
Soak it in really cold water for the first five days to help take the swelling down. If the nail plate is broken, keep the nail trimmed short until the crack grows off the free edge. Also, keep it clean and dry.
catara52
09-01-2007, 12:46 AM
thank you so very much for getting back to me. :angel: I had been doing just that for the past 2 days. I had neglected to state that I had acrylic nails at the time of the injury and it bled through that. Anyway I must have read everything to do with a nail injury and acrylic nails. I also went to your site to make sure I was armed with the proper info and materials to remove the acrylic. I did everything you said ( including going to Sally's for tree oil, but because I had 2 refills, I have this one layer that just won't buge. I spent the last several hours trying to remove it. Any suggestions? Should I just admit defeat and go to the nail salon. I know they are going to try to talk me into getting another set of acrylics. Should I, or do the nails need a rest? They are now short, pinkish with this smaller layer of acrylic that will not go away on 7 of the 10 nails. Thanks !
Marti
09-01-2007, 09:47 AM
Okay, here's my horror story: On Tuesday, I smashed my left pinky nail in the door of the car where the glass meets the rubber seal. It cut my nail completely in two. The cut goes down through the nail bed and into the flesh to either side of the nail and ripped up the nail plate from the nail bed almost all the way to the free edge. It also shattered the very tip of the fingertip bone. I nearly passed out! I work with nothing but men, so I was suprised when they came to my 'rescue', flushed it with peroxide and my boss made an excellent bandage with a tongue depressor, antibacterial ointment and gauze. I called my doctor at home and he said to soak it for a few days in cold water to help the swelling go down and keep it bandaged. As soon as enough of the pain went away, he wanted me to cut as much of the free edge away as possible to prevent further injury from downward tip pressure - I did that last night. I wear nail an acrylic overlay on my nails as well and he knows this. Just leave it alone until it is totally healed and then you can safely soak off the remainder of the acrylic. There are instructions for Product Removal on my website.
My nails grow really slow - it's genetic. I am figuring it will take at least 6-8 months for the damage to grow off and for a completely new nail to reform the damaged nail bed, so I am in for the long haul. No artificial nail on that one for me for a long time:)
My nails grow really slow - it's genetic. I am figuring it will take at least 6-8 months for the damage to grow off and for a completely new nail to reform the damaged nail bed, so I am in for the long haul. No artificial nail on that one for me for a long time:)
catara52
09-01-2007, 11:10 AM
Oh my gosh! I am so sorry! MY concern is so trivial, really not that important.Take care of yourself, okay.? Post progress from time to time. Thanks for everything.
Marti
09-01-2007, 12:59 PM
My nurse friend (she works for my doctor) is coming over today to bring her little dog for us to watch for the weekend and she is bringing me a splint so I don'tkeep bumping it and making it bleed again. It can't heal if I keep bumping it:) It will be fine - it's just really sensitive to any kind of 'touch' and they want me to splint it for a week to protect it. You don't really realize how you use your hands until you cut halfway through your finger. It wouldn't be so bad, but it's where they can't stitch it together - they can't sew the nail bed together and he won't take off the nail where it pulled up. I don't think I could stand that anyway. Not that I'm a big 'sissy', but with 5 dogs and 2 cats of my own, there's lots to take care of:)
catara52
09-01-2007, 05:03 PM
Is it your dominant hand? I can't even imagine the pain everytime you bump it. My pain has almost completely disappeared, but my pinscer grasp is suffering some, but I am no longer complaining. Thanks for the reality check. I've had acrylic nails for about 3 years now and this is the first time I hadn't immediately had them put more on. My nails are so thin. I'll keep them short until they grow in thicker. I thought about you alot today. Thanks for letting me know your progress.Keep doing so if you want, I'm a good listener. I am so impressed by how much you help all these strangers with nail problems. Thanks!
Marti
09-01-2007, 05:12 PM
Since I do nails, I have worn them since 1979. This is the first time I have injured or broken a finger nail, although I have broken both my pinky toes at least twice and the second toe on my left foot once:) I have a fairly high tolerance for pain, so that is good - genetics can be a wonderful thing. I'm a pretty tough old bird and that isn't saying a mouthful since I just turned 59 two weeks ago.
I love helping people and this board is right up my alley. I am thankful that they let me post here since I am a professional and they don't normally allow that from what I understand.
I love helping people and this board is right up my alley. I am thankful that they let me post here since I am a professional and they don't normally allow that from what I understand.
catara52
09-01-2007, 05:19 PM
Happy Birthday! I'll turn 55 this friday. I've ripped of my pinky toe nail several years ago and had a few tear nail tears which led me to the salon, and the rest is history.It's nice to meet yoy, Marty. If I lived closer I'd bring you some soup, my mom's cure for everything!:D
Marti
09-08-2007, 01:46 AM
The nail finally got to where it wasn't so painful, so I cut off the free edge. The only problem is that the portion of the nail that is left on the distal edge flexed a LOT and hurt everytime I touched anything to it. It finally quit bleeding though. Anyway, I kept trying to think of how I could keep it from moving so much and I came up with a great idea! I took a #10 tip (the smallest one) and cut a section 1/16th of an inch wide and attached it to the two separate portions with some acrylic and then reinforcedit with a little more acrylic. It is acting like a 'bridge' across the two sections and boy, does it feel better already. It looks kind of silly, but it feels so much stronger and it isn't moving all the time now. The curve of the tip section sticks up over the cut so I can still put peroxide on it to keep it clean and dry.
I am to attend a function for the charity I do the website for onthe 15th and my doctor is one of the founders, so I will seehim there. I think he will be impressed:) I am going to take a picture of it and put the technique on my website so others can benefit from this. The 'bridge' will grow out with the nail plate and I will probably have to soak it off and reapply when it gets out too far over the free edge, but that's okay as long as it prevents it from tearing off from too much movement from using the finger.
Just thought I'd let you know :)
I am to attend a function for the charity I do the website for onthe 15th and my doctor is one of the founders, so I will seehim there. I think he will be impressed:) I am going to take a picture of it and put the technique on my website so others can benefit from this. The 'bridge' will grow out with the nail plate and I will probably have to soak it off and reapply when it gets out too far over the free edge, but that's okay as long as it prevents it from tearing off from too much movement from using the finger.
Just thought I'd let you know :)
catara52
09-08-2007, 09:23 AM
very creative, I'll keep my eye out for it on your website. I may write later. Coffee is calling.
catara52
09-12-2007, 11:59 PM
hi Marti, how's that nail feeling?
Marti
09-13-2007, 09:05 AM
The tip of the finger where I broke the tip of the bone is still tender if I touch it to anything, but the nail is feeling more stable. I sent pictures to my friends at Nails Magazine (a trade magazine) and they want to feature the technique in an upcoming issue. Now, I have to take 'real' pictures so they can use them. I had scanned it the first time, and scan doesn't come out as clear and sharp. When I get good pictures I'm going to put the technique on my website. I know I'm not the only one who has cut their nail like this :)
catara52
09-13-2007, 10:06 AM
honestly, you should pattern the idea quickly. the whole procedure and/ or the condition of the injury could be named after you. You could become even more famous than you are now!:)
Marti
09-13-2007, 10:39 PM
Applying for a patent is VERY expensive and takes a VERY long time! Besides, if the idea will help other people that do this, that's all I need to know.
Pinky34
10-18-2007, 12:25 PM
First let me say i'm soooo glad i found this thread and thanks to both of you!!!!
I recently did the same to my finger. I hit my ring finger on the back of my chair as i was reaching down for my phone. I have an acrylic overlay on my real nails and the acrylic cracked and the nail itself is cut i'm not sure how far across just yet because the acrylic is still on the nail. This happened on Friday (Oct 12th) and it bled for two days! It looks as if the nail was pulled away from my finger.
I was told to put it cold water, clean with peroxide and keep anti-bacterial ointment. I was able to cut the nail down as much as possible or that I can withstand from the pain. I did that on Monday (15th).
Today it looks like the skin itself is healing and attaching itself to the injured nail. Im just curious to know about your updated situation and if you needed any medical attention.
Im just worried a little and wondering if i should go to the docs.
I recently did the same to my finger. I hit my ring finger on the back of my chair as i was reaching down for my phone. I have an acrylic overlay on my real nails and the acrylic cracked and the nail itself is cut i'm not sure how far across just yet because the acrylic is still on the nail. This happened on Friday (Oct 12th) and it bled for two days! It looks as if the nail was pulled away from my finger.
I was told to put it cold water, clean with peroxide and keep anti-bacterial ointment. I was able to cut the nail down as much as possible or that I can withstand from the pain. I did that on Monday (15th).
Today it looks like the skin itself is healing and attaching itself to the injured nail. Im just curious to know about your updated situation and if you needed any medical attention.
Im just worried a little and wondering if i should go to the docs.
catara52
10-18-2007, 08:32 PM
I'm hoping Marti will respond to you, she has great knowledge in this area. I believe you need to keep it clean and dry ( no ointment). After about a week(or longer, if your nails grow slow), you should see if the nail is broken completely across. If it is it, will not reattach. I went and got acrylic nail remover and soaked it for a really long time and all but one spot was removed. I tried the nail down as short as it could so that it would not catch on anything. Every couple of days I gave it a trim, and just this week it looks healthly, no detached part is left. Patience is the best cure.;) Good Luck!
Marti
10-19-2007, 09:37 AM
I cut my left pinky finger all the way across the center portion of the nail and down through the nail bed to about 1/3rd of the way through the finger. The distal edge pulled away from the nail bed and I had to press it back down. Bled for more than a few days every time something touched it. If I tried to cut it, the distal edge pulled up again. I finally had to tape it really tight so I could cut the nail down as far as I could. After about 3 weeks the distal portion turned completely loose and left the nail bed exposed. Since I cut it so deep, I also cut the nerve and broke the tip of the finger bone. The nerve is still sensitive. I soaked it in cold water twice a day for two weeks and sprayed it with peroxide several times a day as well and always after getting it wet. Keeping it dry is key as well as making sure bacteria does not have a chance to start an infection (Peroxide.)
My fingernails grow real slow, my toenails grow faster - it's usualy the other way around. I cut my nails once a month and my toenails twice a month - go figure:) Anyway, it is growing - it's grown about 1/16th of an inch in just over a month. I'm not sure if the nail will be able to grow over the cut successfully, but it looks pretty good so far.
You need to soak off the overlay so it is easier to cut the nail short. If you try to cut it with the overlay still intact, it can open the cut again. Leave the overlay off until the cut portion has completely grown off the free edge. It is not safe to apply acrylic product to skin because fo the risk of allergic reaction from overexposure.
My fingernails grow real slow, my toenails grow faster - it's usualy the other way around. I cut my nails once a month and my toenails twice a month - go figure:) Anyway, it is growing - it's grown about 1/16th of an inch in just over a month. I'm not sure if the nail will be able to grow over the cut successfully, but it looks pretty good so far.
You need to soak off the overlay so it is easier to cut the nail short. If you try to cut it with the overlay still intact, it can open the cut again. Leave the overlay off until the cut portion has completely grown off the free edge. It is not safe to apply acrylic product to skin because fo the risk of allergic reaction from overexposure.
Pinky34
10-20-2007, 03:52 PM
thanx! i don't plan on getting that nail touched by acrylic or anything for a while...i know its gonna be some time b4 it heals completely.
I've been using peroxide all day everyday. I haven't been able to soak the acrylic off just yet because i'm a tad worried it's going to burn since it is a wound.
I stopped using the antibacterial ointment and noticing puss is making its way out, not much tho. And the tip of my finger is a wonderful shade of purple!sorry for the icky details.
thanx again for the updates....my fingers are crossed that it doesn't get infected so i'm overly cautious at the moment.
I've been using peroxide all day everyday. I haven't been able to soak the acrylic off just yet because i'm a tad worried it's going to burn since it is a wound.
I stopped using the antibacterial ointment and noticing puss is making its way out, not much tho. And the tip of my finger is a wonderful shade of purple!sorry for the icky details.
thanx again for the updates....my fingers are crossed that it doesn't get infected so i'm overly cautious at the moment.
Marti
10-21-2007, 11:56 AM
The peroxide will keep it from getting infected.