How long until toenail comes off?

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2012-05-10 3:13 PM

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Seattle, WA
Subject: How long until toenail comes off?

So I have a seriously bruised toenail from running Boston about 3 weeks ago.  It's just sitting there, minding it's own business.  I've lost all feeling under it, and I have a hunch it's going to fall off eventually.  What's the protocol here?  Do I let it fall off naturally or encourage it to come off in some way?

As a side note: I bruised it in an HIM last September and it never came off.  It had begun to regrow normally past the bruise site, but then I ran in those same blasted shoes and here we are with an even worse result.  I've been running for 12 years and those Asics finally initiated me into the "toenail issues" club.  Grumble.

2012-05-10 3:18 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
it takes a few months for mine to come off.  Like 3 months for the last one.
2012-05-10 3:36 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
I bruised my big toe nail badly last summer while trying to hop out of the pool quickly as I played with the kids (it was bleeding around much of the edge of the nail, ouch).  Man that hurt.  It took over 6+ months for that thing to finally grow out.  Fortunately it somehow mostly stayed in place during that process, though it had lifted somewhat.  I was able to trim the dead section as it moved outward.  How you fare will probably depend where and how big the bruise is.  It will heal eventually, don't worry.
2012-05-10 3:51 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
The only toenail I lost was when some idiot kid dropped a 12 pound bowling ball on my big toe.  Took about 2 weeks for it to come off.
2012-05-10 4:12 PM
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Central Mass
Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?

In HS, I got a bad bruise on my big toe from soccer and some too-small cleats.  Bad enough that my doctor punctured the nail and drained the blood.  Still took a few weeks to fall off - it fell off, not grew out as there was a new nail growing UNDERNEATH the old nail.

Now I loose my second toe nail about once a year as I try different shoes (I have Morton's Toe).  These don't bruise, but I still loose them as the nail grows out, about a month, month-and-a-half.

2012-05-10 6:16 PM
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Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
I lost two toenails from Boston.  I cut them short enough to drain out all of the blood.  Once I ensured the feeling was gone, I just ripped the suckers off.  Its a bit tender for a day or two then you'll wonder if we really need toenails or not!

2012-05-10 6:27 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
I have lost quite a few. Just let it happen naturally. And the previous post is correct, its amazing how tough the tissue is underneath. Don't let it slow you down. keep training and racing!
2012-05-10 6:33 PM
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Seattle, WA
Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
Oh it definitely doesn't bother me. I'm more curious than anything else. I'm still even running in those shoes because aside from the toenail issue they are really great. I may try to trim it and see what happens. I've been mostly leaving it alone, hoping the more I run, the faster it will actually come off. Thanks for all the input!
2012-05-11 9:48 AM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
I've lost several and it usually takes them a couple of months.  Usually when they got loose enough it would get pulled off when putting on my socks.
2012-05-11 1:11 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
I just lost a toenail that was bruised from a 50 miler back in February.  I still have another that's hanging on for dear life.  It just takes time for the new nail to grow in underneath it and to push the old nail off.  Just let nature run its course.
2012-05-11 11:00 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?

Mine take 3-5 months to come off. New nail grows underneath it. I can see a double layer of nail for awhile. Usually when swimming I have the top part toward the end of my toe pull off with the old nail attached only near the bed of the nail. Then I yank it off...I have a little collection of them.

I did IMFL in November and lost one nail 2 months before the other. Now 7 months later my new nail on both toes has a horizontal wrinkle in it.

Let nature take it's course. If it falls off on it's own after new nail grows in no pain but if falls off not it could hurt more.

2012-05-11 11:51 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
Sadly, I lose toenails all the time to having my toes stomped on playing soccer. Takes months to come off. Usually when the new toenails are about 1/2 way grown out underneath.
2012-05-12 12:27 AM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
i lost one 3 weeks after my IM then another 2 weeks after the first
2012-05-12 7:23 AM
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Bedford, MA
Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
I had the same thing happen to me at Boston. I 'drained' the under-nail blisters for a few days. After that I waited a few days then cut the nails off. I'd post pics, but I don't want anyone to loose breakfast. I'm actually happy that the nails are off now, as I don't have to worry about them for a while. It took about 18 months for my nails to grow in fully the last time this happened.
2012-05-12 7:42 AM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
Hi mine came off this morning during open water swim session!!..bruised it 5 months ago
2012-05-12 2:03 PM
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Subject: RE: How long until toenail comes off?
Mine took about 6 months to come off- I was on the swim leg of a sprint and must have brushed it against someone- the nail pulled ALMOST all the way off, but I could feel it flapping as I swam (eeewww). I finished it off in T1.


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