Guest guest Posted July 6, 2002 Report Share Posted July 6, 2002 This certainly sounds like a fungus to me. My Nephew had a toenail like this and my sis, it was diagnosed as fungus. They used tea tree oil on it, and it worked. Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2002 Report Share Posted July 6, 2002 Hi Linda: I agree with Patty that even though it doesn't have the 'white gunk' under it, it is probably a fungus. And from all that I've read, am sure that Patty's suggested tea tree oil would be a great topical application to get it started back to normal health. I injured my great toe as a child and lost the nail, and when it grew back it never grew on the nail bed. Eventually fungus got under it and it was decades before I started working with it to kill the fungus and get it growing correctly. It has been a painful process. I would suggest that you trim your nail back as far as you can (which I believe you said you have done), then topically treat the nail bed and tend to it as much as you can. Keep the nail bed soft (oil would be great, keeps the fungus out too), and "massage" it if it begins to grow and attaches itself to the bed. They have a way of doing that. I have found that massage helps "stretch" the bed that the nail is seeking, and relieves the pain. After a year and a half the bed may not be properly "laid out" and the nail may have difficulty resetting it. If you don't work with it and assist it in it's re-growth in the bed, it may eventually cause some real pain when or if you do beat the fungus. If it begins to grow while creating a path on each side, but the middle part of the nail is raised up away from the skin, use the clippers to cut a large "V" in the center of the top part of the nail. This relieves pressure that is building up on the sides of the bed and helps to prevent pain. Mine has had some very difficult periods of pain in the growth process, but is finally settling down and the fungus is almost all the way out from under it. I've been a jogger, and am a walker, so I've been motivated to get it back to normal. Jay <<This certainly sounds like a fungus to me. My Nephew had a toenail like this and my sis, it was diagnosed as fungus. They used tea tree oil on it, and it worked. Patty>> <<Ok, all this talk about toe and finger nails has got me wondering about my problem. Not really a problem as it doesn't hurt, just looks nasty. My big toenail is separated from the nail bed clear to the cuticle. No gross stuff under it. I can use the fingernail file to clean under it just like the other toes. All that is holding there is the cuticle and a little on one side. Is this a fungus? Been this way for about a year and a half. I have cut it clear back and it just grows back unattached from the nail bed. Linda in Iowa>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2002 Report Share Posted July 6, 2002 <<I really hate to cut it back again because it is sandal weather now but I just might if I don't see any improvement. Yes, I am a little vain!! LOL>> Hi Linda: From your original post I thought that it was cut back. If the nail is "in the grooves" of your nail bed and simply open under the nail itself, I wouldn't cut it back until after sandal weather, or not even then if has begun growing correctly. Soaking it in Pau D'arco or simply swabbing the tea tree oil as far under it may get the healing process started. Then, take it one step at a time. Happy healing and have a good vacation. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2002 Report Share Posted July 6, 2002 Ok, all this talk about toe and finger nails has got me wondering about my problem. Not really a problem as it doesn't hurt, just looks nasty. My big toenail is separated from the nail bed clear to the cuticle. No gross stuff under it. I can use the fingernail file to clean under it just like the other toes. All that is holding there is the cuticle and a little on one side. Is this a fungus? Been this way for about a year and a half. I have cut it clear back and it just grows back unattached from the nail bed. Linda in Iowa ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.371 / Virus Database: 206 - Release 6/13/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2002 Report Share Posted July 6, 2002 Patty & Jay, Well, I put tea tree oil under the nail and massaged it into the nail and cuticle. I think that I will make a Pau D'arco tea tonight and soak the whole foot in it before bedtime. I have been putting off treating it, I guess because it doesn't hurt, but with a beach vacation coming in September I have an incentive. I really hate to cut it back again because it is sandal weather now but I just might if I don't see any improvement. Yes, I am a little vain!! LOL Linda in Iowa ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.371 / Virus Database: 206 - Release 6/13/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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