My Son's Finger!

Updated on March 23, 2012
P.R. asks from Round Rock, TX
14 answers

About a week or so ago, my son's finger was shut in the door. Of course tears were shed then, but aside from babying that hand, no mention of it. Today i noticed that his nail is white and is clearly coming off and the cuticle is inflamed. I've never lost a nail before so what do I do? Do we pull it? Take him to the dr? Let it fall off naturally? He is just shy of his second birthday so I can't really explain things to him. HELP!!

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So What Happened?

Well everyone, the nail fell off! It turned white (never black and blue) and was lifted almost completely off. I took clippers and peroxide and trimmed the nail back on thursday and then yesterday,noticed that the entire nail came off. It looks fine, doesn't appear infected and although he still isn't really using that finger, all seems well. Thanks for the advice!!

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I would not pull the nail. Trim it and/or put a band aid over it until you see if it will fall off completely. Soaking is good but if you think it is really infected call or see the doctor.

1 mom found this helpful

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P.W.

answers from Dallas on

Losing the nail is okay, but how inflamed is the cuticle? Do you think it is infected? I would at least call the nurse at the pediatricians office if you suspect an infection.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

If the cuticle is inflamed, you should take him to the doctor. There may be puss in there that needs to be relieved.

That happened to my DD when she was about 7. I took her to the doctor when I noticed the swelling. They had to drain the stuff out. Yuck!!!!

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D.J.

answers from Houston on

If you suspect an infection get to doctor ASAP. Otherwise, do not try to pull or mess with the old dead nail. I had similar incident and the new nail grew in under the old one with no pain, little tenderness on end of finger.

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S.P.

answers from Houston on

I had the same thing happen to me. It turned black and blue and it started to come off. I just left it alone and it fell off and the new one grew in. DO NOT PULL IT!

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R.M.

answers from Houston on

Believe it or not, this exact thing happened to me when I was three. I still remember all the sensations involved: the door slamming on my finger, my mother opening the door and cuddling me, watching the doctor tend to my finger and patiently explaining every little step of what he was doing as he removed the fingernail, etc.

Please take your son to the doctor. Why take a chance on deformity or infection?

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

My husband loses tonails yearly after his big annual backpacking trek. We tape and/or trim away excess loose nail so they don't snag on anything. There's no pain unless they snag and pull, sort of like a loose baby tooth – the pain happened when the original damage happened.

I'd be a little concerned about the apparent inflammation – if it looks like there's an infection, which will ususally be evidenced by heat, swelling, soreness and pus, then you would probably do well to have his doc check it.

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S.E.

answers from New York on

as long as the cuticle isnt so inflammed that it looks infected.. if its not causing him pain i wouldnt worry about it .. dont pull it off let it fall off .. id try putting peroxide on the cuticle.. ive seen my dad lose 2 fingernails n my fiance lose one.. its more annoying then anything having to favor the hand.. it grows back.. might grow back a little wierd but it does come back // just make sure to keep it clean after it comes off.. the skin under finagernails is different then the skin on the outside of your fingers .. my fiance whoes injury was the most recent just put a bandaid going over the top of his finger with the pad where the nail used to be

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

have him soak in in warm water and epsom salt. make an appt with his dr to.

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Let it all off. How old is your son? Chances are, it's not broken, kids bones are still very, very soft, all cartilage. I'd let the nail fall off, and keep it clean, uncovered so the air gets to it, and keep an eye on it. If he spikes a fever in the next 4-7 days, take him right to the ER.

Poor dude! Hope it feels better :)

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B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

let it fall off, itll cause more pain and probably infection if you pull it, let it air out at night or during the day and have a band aid with neosporn on it the other time to ward off infection.

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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

Soak it in Betadine while you're waiting for the doctor to call-don't pull off the nail

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C.T.

answers from Houston on

My daughter had the same thing happen about that age but hers turned black and we went to the dr. to have it drained.

If it is already coming off, let it fall off naturally unless he is pulling at it. If he is messing with it, you need to take him to the dr. so they can remove it.

I have lost many toe nails from running. Typically, they grow back.

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K.G.

answers from Fort Wayne on

DH says let it be it will push itself off on its own. the nail acts as a natural band aid.

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