Bruised Big Toe

Hi James,
IMHO you should get your toe seen to by a professional. It may get better on it's own but it may get worse. You cannot see what is going on under that nail. You may need some antibiotics. Better to be safe than sorry.

I'm T2. Same thing happened to me about 5 months ago when I was playing badminton probably due to wearing a pair of worn socks and old shoes. Anyhow big toenail went black, but didnt bleed. Saw the doctor and she said it will heal. Very slowly it has. Happened to a friend of mine and he said it took almost a year for it to heal completely.
If its worry, go and see your doctor for reassurance.

I am usually in the process of losing a big toenail at each annual review (usually September) - as a result of running down hillsides rather than squash, but my consultant never seems too bothered, because (a) I have normal sensation in my feet and (b) her husband palys squash and loses lots of toenails, too. Usually, the new nail grows under the old one, so best to leave the old one until it drops off, and the weeping ends as soon as all the blood / serum has come out.
The key problems that can happen to feet of people with diabetes are neuropathy (changes in or loss of normal nerve sensations, so you can't feel injuries or get constant odd sensations) and infections (slow to heal, leading to ulcers). However, with good blood sugar control, neither should happen. People with type 2 diabetes are perhaps more at risk, as they are often not diagnosed until they have had uncontrolled diabetes for many years. In general, keeping fit is more important than worrying about losing the odd toenail, for newly diagnosed young people with type 1 diabetes.

copepod said:

However, with good blood sugar control, neither should happen. People with type 2 diabetes are perhaps more at risk, as they are often not diagnosed until they have had uncontrolled diabetes for many years. In general, keeping fit is more important than worrying about losing the odd toenail, for newly diagnosed young people with type 1 diabetes.

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So the guy that lives down the road from me a Type 1 of 40+ years who thought his Diabetes was well controlled should just have kept himself fit then.......?? Forget about his minor toe problem ?? I don't think age has any bearing on this subject.

As a result of a small infection of his left big toe, which he ignored, thinking he didn't need to bother anybody about it, old school you see, he ended up in Hospital with a septic toe........cut a long story short. They had to surgically remove his big toe........a few months later........his foot.........a few more months later........his leg was amputated below the knee !

So, personally whilst I agree that good blood sugar control in ALL Diabetic's not just T2's is paramount.......it is also VERY important for ANY Diabetic to consult with a professional Podiatrist or their GP with ANY foot problems. Unless, of course you want to end up like my T1 friend from down the road.

It has so far a happy ending, he has had to learn to walk with an artificial limb. Wouldn't it have been so much better to have had the attention in the first place.......saved all the angst and anger....

Ken

Get it checked and don't wait and see.... Better a short trip to the doctors than problems down the line.

Blood under a toe nail is not an infection - that's what we're talking about here. Of course, if I had a sore on a toe, I wouldn't ignore it, nor suggest anyone else ignores a similar problem.

copepod said:

Blood under a toe nail is not an infection - that's what we're talking about here. Of course, if I had a sore on a toe, I wouldn't ignore it, nor suggest anyone else ignores a similar problem.

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That's as may be.....however it CAN develop into an infection if not treated properly. Surely it's better to be safe than sorry ! The Op let blood out......so conversely bacteria can actually get in. Basic first aid really.

Ken

I totally agree, Ken.

Bacteria like nothing better than a nice pool of warm congealed blood as a nutrient source.

Always better to get this checked out asap.

Yes I have had toe nails cut by podiatrist, nice job too!

I found this post very interesting as I have a bruise and was wondering same thing. Well I got my answer I am going to make an appointment.