I have a rather strange injury/condition on my left big toe. I had noticed a little redness and swelling at the base of my toenail but ignored it until yesterday. When I was changing my socks, I saw that a small part (maybe 1/3 of a centimeter) of the bottom of my toenail looked like it was coming off. I poked at it and it came right off. Underneath it was a red blister-ish looking thing that was weeping a little. I cleaned it with a soapy q-tip, and the red stuff started coming off. I wasn't concerned, but then it started to bleed. I continued to use a soapy q-tip (a new one), and the end of the q-tip ended up both red and gray. Why gray?? Yuck! I smeared some antibiotic ointment on it and put on a band-aid. Today, a little blood seeped through, and the area is hard and dark red with dried blood. I'll try cleaning it again tonight and see how it looks. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I really don't want to go to the doctor. I have been having some other health problems and have a special needs child and I feel like I am in an endless stream of Dr appointments. But I do want to know what this is and where the gray came from. Help! TIA.

On the plus side, I am about 1.5 years out from my double scarf, and my feet are GREAT!

It might just be bruised but it sounds like it could be an infection. You should see a doctor just in case. You might need antibiotics or anti-fungal treatment. If that's the case, it should go away and your nail will probably grow back and look normal after a few months. I've had my big toenail fall off twice due to injuring my big toe but it has never bled like that.

Thanks for the response. I do think the fungus is back, or it never went away entirely. Guess I will have it looked at. The wound does seem better today, at least.