How long does it take for toenails to grow back?

At the two month point you should start to see the new ones peeking back in. I've lost my big toenail twice due to non-tri related activities and it was usually around 4-5 months to see it most of the way back. I couldn't really give you a good estimate on the time till shoes are easy to wear because of the differing circumstances. Why are you still worried about getting in the pool? Do you still have open wounds after two months?

bts

I had several lacerations on the nailbed which required stitches. Long since healed, but I'm just a little paranoid about the toes in general. The podiatrist who stitched me up did a number on me about staph infections, and lets just say that I am a little worried about how much kiddie generated bacteria is in my local pool. All in my head, I know.

Toenails are overrated

That sounds like a pretty serious accident.  Why are you mad at your doctors? 

I have 2 toenails I WISH would fall off...they are blue and ugly from my tri on Sept 11th.

That's a helluva crash. If you don't have any openwounds then the pool shouldn't be a problem. As for the toenails growing back, I'm not sure if my timetable will be accurate with the apparent violence of your accident. Have they even started to grow back?

bts

If I didn't have such a large collection of cute sandals, I might agree.


It was a strange accident, wiped out taking a corner too fast while simultaneously swerving around a soccer mom mobile not watching where they were going. Was thrown about 10 feet and had a pretty good drag across the pavement. I was hit by a car last summer and walked away. This crash seemed much less, yet the injuries were fairly substantial.

I'm mad at the whole thing - doctors, hospitals, insurance, etc. It hasn't been easy getting treatment. I spent 6 weeks begging and pleading for an MRI. No doctor has wanted to listen to me when I have said something isn't right and that this isn't just a bruise. All the injuries I have had here have been in some way written off by at least one doctor. I've had to get second and third opinions on everything. I've reached a point where I'm just worn out with the whole thing.


The big toe started to poke out, but fell out again a couple of days ago. The others are just an icky mess.

Thanks for the encouragement, all. Now I just need to will myself to swim. I don't have full range of motion, but I figure 400-600m of pull drills 2 or 3 times a week is better than nothing.

Edited by hk94 2005-11-02 12:47 PM

My toe nails took awhile- actually about 6 months to come back fully- they start out like really think little numbs, then get longer, and then get thicker with time.  Not having a toe nail has never generated pain for me.  In fact, toe nails are overrated IMO.  The only time my toe hurt was when the doc had to yank one off becuase  had a blister underneath it.  But that only throbbed for a few days.  I was prescribed pain meds but it didn't hurt enough for me to want to take hard core pain meds.  If you toes are still hurting check with your doc.  There might be something wrong or he might be able to give you some pain meds.

Sorry about your injury and complications. It took mine about 3-6 months to grow back. They never have been "normal" since. With the injury to the nail bed, you may have problems with nail growth. It might not ever come in fully. I have had athletes who have lost nails, finger and toe, due to trauma that have never come back. As far as the staph bacteria, your lacerations should be healed since it's been two months. Use flip-flops when walking to and from(even in the locker room), clean your feet thoroughly and I would think all should be well.

this was an awesome thread to read while i ate my lunch.

My reponse to any thread about toenails.....uuuggghhhk!

Ouch! Last time I lost a toenail, it took at least 2-3 months to grow them back. Guess big toe nail would take longer since it is, well, bigger. Just lost a toe nail 2 weeks ago. Still waiting.

Having fun while reading the comments, lol. Though this is an old thread but I can relate with you dear. Last time I lost a toenail, it took at least 2-3 months to grow them back. But it's not nice than the original one. I can't wear my favorite high heel sandals on every party because of this.

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