I had my big toenail removed 24 hours ago due to some kind of infection in the cuticle or nail bed. It will grow back though. Now I’m on an oral antibiotic for the next 10 days, and following the toe soaking/bandage procedure for the next week. The doctor said there shouldn’t be a problem running or biking starting today (other than some pain), but he suggested avoiding gym pools for the next 2 or 3 weeks. I’m assuming the reason is to avoid getting more infection in there, and maybe to avoid drying it out. I forgot to ask as I was in a hurry to leave.
Has anyone else had this done, and how soon did you swim?
I have lost toenails running ultras, having to drive a hot needle through the nail to release the pressure. I would say no to swimming until about Monday, longer if it is still weeping. Let a crust develop on the top, then you are good to go. Keep the exposed nail bed supple by using a lot of moisturizing/antibiotic oils like bag balm / neosporin, otherwise when the nail grows back the adhesion will be less than before you you risk losing it again much easier than the first time.
I think you’d be ok. But I am not a doctor. I’m also the guy who lost a toenail and poured peroxide on it, threw some duct tape around it, and continued on my race (a cobra also bit me once and after 4 days of agonizing pain, the cobra finally died).
Google ‘plantar wart’ and then imagine that festering under your toenail because you picked something up from the changeroom floor. I had one under my big toe and it took about a year of persistent effort with tape, salicylic acid, freezing, and abrading, to eradicate.
If your doc says not to swim, then you should ask HIM why.
I’ve had each big toenail removed and each time I waited for a week before I got back in the pool. After that, and for the next 2-3 weeks, I always doused it with hydrogen peroxide and then put some anti-bacterial stuff on there. No issues with either of them.
Looks fine - I usually tell patients they can swim after about 7-10 days (depending on why the nail was removed). Can run to tolerance (will be sore and will bleed through a bandage/sock often) whenever you feel ready.
Looks fine - I usually tell patients they can swim after about 7-10 days (depending on why the nail was removed). Can run to tolerance (will be sore and will bleed through a bandage/sock often) whenever you feel ready.
Hmm…I’ll probably wait a couple weeks then. The light red area you can see from the photo (behind where the nail was removed) was extremely swollen and tender for the past 2 weeks. Slowly bleeding and oozing pus daily. The nail hadn’t grown for at least a few months. How long would you estimate before I could do something like xc ski without soaking my boots with blood?
Nail bed highly vascular - will bleed easily for about 3 weeks. You won’t see any signs of nail growth for likely 3 months (usually grow about 1-2mm/month) from the base of the nail. If you want to “push it” some and ski, you can get a silicone gel toe cap/sleeve that works great for comfort, cushioning, covering (like this):
Nail bed highly vascular - will bleed easily for about 3 weeks. You won’t see any signs of nail growth for likely 3 months (usually grow about 1-2mm/month) from the base of the nail. If you want to “push it” some and ski, you can get a silicone gel toe cap/sleeve that works great for comfort, cushioning, covering (like this):
Awesome, thanks for the advice. I called up a local running store and they sell them there. Would you suggest just a regular bandaid, and the toe cap over it?
Nail bed highly vascular - will bleed easily for about 3 weeks. You won’t see any signs of nail growth for likely 3 months (usually grow about 1-2mm/month) from the base of the nail. If you want to “push it” some and ski, you can get a silicone gel toe cap/sleeve that works great for comfort, cushioning, covering (like this):
Awesome, thanks for the advice. I called up a local running store and they sell them there. Would you suggest just a regular bandaid, and the toe cap over it?
Also, this might be pushing it even more…would one of those toe caps combined with waterproof athletic tape (followed immediately with soaking in vinegar water and neosporin bandage) = swimming immediately?
Also, this might be pushing it even more…would one of those toe caps combined with waterproof athletic tape (followed immediately with soaking in vinegar water and neosporin bandage) = swimming immediately?
NO Mr. Type-A - would be terribly macerating and take longer to heal. Just get past the injury/procedure properly, and resume.
