Bad Toe - Please Help

Good Morning all,

Just a brief background about this ugly bad toe. I have Psoriasis. I was in my early teens when I lost all my nails due to severe psoriasis.

All other nails recovered except one toe. I've used many products recommended by health professionals and the ones sold in the Pharmacies.

Just wondering if you have had a similar experience? What product you have used or use that has helped you.

Appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks

The picture
https://ibb.co/qMMSh9g

Comments

  • +1

    Any pictures?

    Have you seen a podiatrist?

    • Actually No. I have always seen the Dermatologist or the GPs.

      I have never thought of them. Thank you.

      • -5

        You see dermatologists and doctors and you want advice from randoms on the interweb based on a photo?

        Welcome to OzBadAdviceThatMayLeadToWorseProblemsDownTheLine

  • I had an operation 46 years ago under full knockout and it was a bid dodgy, the toes never fully recovered. Lucky now I had over 20 years of open shoes and really good diet and it has almost completely gone away. Still overall a terrible experience.

  • try carnivore diet

  • -4

    Just chop it off. You have 9 others.

    • +3

      That seems like an unbalanced decision

      • Daryl Beattie had to retire
        https://darylbeattieadventures.com.au/about-us/
        In 1997, the combination of constantly putting his life on the line and regular serious injuries (including having all five toes on his left foot amputated) helped Daryl make the decision to retire.

      • +1

        How about chop both big toes off? That would balance it out.

  • +7

    I'm no expert, but that nail looks like it has fungus. Have you tried a typical nail antifungal from the chemist? If it works then it's a cheap and easy fix.

  • +1

    What does your doctor say?

  • +5

    Probably best to speak to an expert in this field or your local GP instead of an internet forum website.

    • +9

      No, this is definitely the best place for medical advice and car advice, and personal life advice.

  • -1

    I think it’s cute.

  • amputation is the only solution unfortunately.

  • +1

    I had a similar thing since I was a teenager.
    Tried all the over the counter remedies and some home remedies. none of them worked.
    I called a podiatrist and he said over 6-12 months they can monitor it and it will resolve. Went to the GP about seeing a podiatrist. He told me it would be the biggest waste of time as it is a fungus and "Doctors cure fungus not podiatrists" "Save your money" - This is a doctor who has a podiatrist in the room next door to him lol
    Prescribed Lamisil and a repeat. I took 1 x a day and it cleared up within a month or 2. Never had the issue again.

  • +1

    I have used all the Dactarin products for fungus. I've used some creams too, which was given by my dermatologist. Unfortunately, I can't remember the names.

    My GP recommended Canesten.

    She also mentioned the surgery if it's bothering me, lol. I don't want to go that path. I'll keep an eye on suggestions. I'm sure this won't kill me :)

    Thanks for all the amputation suggestions. Quite helpful because I am a bowler I always get black nails towards the end of the seasons :)

    • While it could be fungal it could also just be the psoriasis which looks very similar with respect to nails making diagnosis difficult.

      My father's toe nails look similar due to his psoriasis. I have heard that if you use something like daivobet(or another topical steroid) on the nail once a day it can over a few months improve it.

    • its not a cream.
      It was an oral tablet that I took
      I tried all the creams and none worked over 10 years searching for a solution and a tablet solved it
      but as Alex has said below, its a case by case basis

    • since youre taking amputation as an option cut off your little finger, it will take the focus off the toe

      my GF has a couple of nails worse then that they are white but otherwise normal looking, I have been mocking her toes for 10 years, im on track I think in another 10 years she will do something about it

  • +1

    My index finger went through a sander when I was younger and the nail has grown out funny (ugly and weird too) ever since. The plastic surgeon said that there's not much that can be done and it'll stay like that forever because the injury damaged the bit that "controls" nail growth.

    I wonder if the situation with your toe is similar or the same as mine (given that you said your psoriasis was bad enough for your toe nails to fall out).

  • See a good podiatrist! That is your best chance.

  • +1

    Out of curiosity have you had your vitamin levels checked? And calcium/magnesium etc? If it’s not fungal (which it reeeally looks like) it would most likely come down to that.

    Otherwise, be meticulous with maintenance. Clean it well several times a day and keep it trimmed and blunt off sharp edges.

    Advice to see a podiatrist is sound advice. They specialise in feet. You can always not go back, but what do you have to lose?

  • +3

    I had EXACTLY the same toe problem as you — i really feel for you - these are old pics of my poor toes. I am female but it was looking so bad that I could not wear open shoes because I didn’t want to show my feet.

    https://ibb.co/h7gf3z6

    I had this condition for more than 10 years, during which time I concluded it was a fungus (from looking at other people’s photos). I tried a number of chemist treatments (stuff you paint on nails) and everything mentioned by everyone above. I also tried home remedies - e.g. cotton ball soaked in vinegar wrapped around toe for hours every day. Also read that you should burn all your shoes and socks, and other solutions I didn’t want to consider.

    I saw a doctor and had a test (you bring in toenail clippings) which confirmed it was a fungus. She recommended some tablets but I was really reluctant to ingest something everyday for 6 months that was strong enough kill fungus because it might affect my whole body. I also was breast-feeding during some of this time so obviously wanted to avoid any drugs.

    Things got worse - only about 2cm of big toenail left and it was warped, deeply yellow and sometimes throbbing. Then one day my young son accidentally rode his scooter over my toe (I cannot describe the pain, it was off-the-planet excruciating).

    I had to go to the doctors with my toenail hanging off. I will not describe the events in the surgery (involved them pulling it off) but you can imagine. But then the doctor said she wanted me to take tablets to ensure the toenail grew back healthily. This is a progress shot

    https://ibb.co/6g15M5q

    So I took ‘Terbinafine‘ - yes, for about 6 months - and after many years of having this yellow, warped toenail - my new toenail grew back perfectly.

    This is a long story but it bothered me for years and this was how it got cured. Not easy but a treatment does exist, but you have to see your GP about it who will send the toenail for test, and then if it is fungus - will give you these Terbafine tablets. Good luck.

    • +1 on this!!!

      I took lamisil tablets which is just a brand name for terbafine and can confirm this works as I’ve mentioned above. You do need a script as it’s not an over the counter medication
      OP i suggest you run this by your GP to firstly confirm if it is fungal
      The over the counter cream stuff isn’t helpful and seeing a podiatrist is a waste in my opinion.
      Make sure it’s an oral tablet (pending it’s suitable with your past medical history)

  • +1

    If you've damaged the nail bed then it's unlikely to ever be the same.
    Source: I came off my BMX when I was a kid and managed to gouge a chunk out of the middle of my toenail and bed underneath. The bed scarred and now my nail doesn't sit right.

  • Isn't that your thumb?

  • That is definitely a Fungal Infection in the nail. Lamisil is one of the best antifungals you can get over the counter at Pharmacies. Spray or paint on! You need to do it for about 3 months and be meticulous with foot care( eg dry foot /toes after every shower/bath). You cantake lamisil orally in tablet form but there are more side effects. https://www.rxlist.com › lamisil-drug . Personally I would go with the spray /paint on version. Cheers

  • Among us?

  • What do you mean… what is it doing? Have you seen your doctor for antibacterial drugs?

  • Would painting your toe-nails make them stronger, and thus make them grow? It does with finger nails

  • you need to have the nail tested. to do this , first allow the nail to grow (better sample, better test) ask your GP for a pathology referral, then see a podiatrist get them to take the nail sample, get advice and a treatment

  • +1

    Those who are interested to know the progress since I last posted here.

    Each photo is a week apart. The bottom photo is the current photo. I need to let it grow more. lol

    https://ibb.co/JHCPs7m

  • what did you end up using for treatment?

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