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Bruised Big Toe

J

jameshallam

Well-Known Member
Messages
109
Hi all,

After a particular vicious game of squash, I managed to quite badly bruise my big toe - so much so it had already turned black with in a couple of minutes of doing it.

That was last Wednesday, I couldn't walk on it for the first 24 hours, the build up of blood underneath the nail was causing it to throb quite badly. Then, after fiddling with it for a bit, it started bleeding underneath the nail (quite alot!) and now it doesn't hurt as much :)

I can walk fine, playing squash again tomorrow so I will see if i can still run/change direction without too much pain.

It still 'weeps' a bit if i fiddle with the nail. I am expecting it to drop off sooner or later...

So you have had the intro! I started wondering earlier that diabetics often have problems with their feet, I wondered if this could cause me problems? I haven't had T1 long, and have good BG control - on the flip side, I have never had any experience of foot problems or what to expect etc.

Has anyone every had this happen to them before, any thing I should look out for?
I haven't been to my doctor or DSN, is it worth a visit or not worth the hassle?

Cheers,
James
 
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.
Click to expand...


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
 
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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
As none of us can actually see the toe and only have Op's description to go on how do we know its not infected? - it is better to be safe than sorry IMHO
 
Just a quick update:

Went to the docs, she had a look at it and said that I had nothing to worry about. She explained that the blood under the nail would slowly be 'resorbed' into the body and nature would work its magic.

Currently, my toe is almost looking like it used to, and it is almost painless.

She did say that if I "wasn't confident in cutting my own toenails, I could get a specialist to do it".
I told her that I was fine cutting my own toenails and wouldn't want to impose the chore of cutting my toenails on anyone else! Does anyone else have their toenails cut by a pro?
 
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.
 
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