Suzilu

Hi There!

I have read through the forums and am now thoroughly confused, so I thought I should just ask about my issue specifically! Sorry if this is repetative and verbose, but I'm kind of freaking out!

About a year ago, I noticed that when I went on long walks in my tennis shoes that the nail on my left big toe hurt! But I wore my tennies sporadically, and most recently it's been summer so I've been wearing open toed shoes and I only noticed this with my tennies (not any work shoes or dress shoes).

Then a few months ago I noticed big white spots on that same nail. I keep them short and am pretty religious about getting pedicures, so I thought that maybe my nail polish was discoloring the nail. I typically get colored polish put on during the summer and spring, and then give my nails a rest during winter by not putting any colored polishes on for a few months. I thought when Novemebr came around, I would just stop putting polish on.

Then, last month during my pedicure, I noticed that the nail bed (?)(the spot on your nail by the cuiticle that's usually white...like a moon? whatever that's called!) looked blue on that toe.

About four weeks have gone by since then and last night I noticed that my nail is seperating from the toe. GROSS!! It doesn't hurt, there doesn't seem to be any puss or discharge, but about 1/8 inch from the cuticle, the nail itself if a little thicker and roundish ad it's about 75% seperated from the toe. It's still attached by the right edge.

I took off all of my polish and clipped the nails as short as possible. I can't really see underneath the nail because it's still attached at a weird spot and I don't to yank it off. I haven't noticed any soreness or white spots on any of the other nails.

I'm not sure what to do! Should I try to pour perozide or alcohol between the part of the nail that's seperated and the toe to clean it? I'm worried that I won't be able to dry it properly and it will cause an infection. Do I try and squeeze some neosporin between the opening??

Also, what do I do to try and encourange a healthy nail to grow back and how do i make sure this never happens again? I had surgery on my right big toe when I was little and have to wear an acrylic nail on that foot which doesn't look all that great. I love my other, healthy nail!!!

Also, what causes this and should I be concerned that this could be a symptom of something serious?

HELP!!!!