chickencam Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I was chopping up veg for a vegetable chilli this afternoon when the knife rolled. I thought that it had just bashed my finger but on closer examination it had cut through my nail diagonally from about half way down the side to past the middle towards the base where it meets the finger. I immediately put a plaster on it because I needed to finish what I was doing and tidy up. I haven't dared to look at it since because I don't know what I am best doing with it. It didn't really hurt at first but it has been throbbing all evening. Any advice would be gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 How awful That sounds so sore I didn't want to read your post and not reply but I am not too sure the best thing to do. I suppose I would keep it as dry as possible and covered. If it continues to throb you possibly should get it checked out. I would also keep a look out for you finger getting redder incase of infection. I am no expert in this and just hope someone else will come along with advice as to the best approach. I hope it heals quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share Posted September 17, 2013 I think that is what I intend to do, I have googled it but it seems that I may end up with a deformed nail because I didn't get it looked at within twelve hours, but it seems silly to go to casualty with a cut finger that isn't about to drop off. I may have to be brave and take off the plasters before I got to bed and give it a good clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Depending on how deep through the nail the cut went will affect how the nail grows out - if you haven't damaged the nail bed then it should just carry on as normal. As you're doing keep an eye out for infection and keep the surfaces smooth or dry+covered so it doesn't catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Clean it up and mend it with a splodge of superglue Oh, and take a painkiller if it's throbbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Ouchie! I also reckon you need to keep it really clean as I'd imagine it could be nasty if infection got under the nail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I agree with the superglue. Give it a really good clean, make sure it's really dry, a swipe with some nail varnish remover if you have some (it might sting a bit) and then a blob of superglue, let it dry, smooth off if needed with a nail file and then some clear polish over the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Ouch ; hope its feeling better today? How is it looking? If you are worried is there a nurse at your GP surgery that you can get an appt with just to get it checked out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 Thankyou everyone I braved looking at it before going to bed that night and it didn't look as bad as I had remembered. I removed the skin flap at the side of my finger, the nail was still attached at the top and the cut was at an angle through the nail so it is staying closed quite well. I kept it covered that night then took off the plaster before I had a shower yesterday morning only covering it again when I was making tomato and chilli jam (more knives ) and didn't fancy getting chilli juice in it It is sore but looks clean, so hopefully it will heal over underneath quickly and the nail will stay attached until it has grown out, it will take a long time though. Another reason not to like blunt knives, although the cut would have been worse with a sharp knife, I am not sure that the knife would have slipped if it had been sharp. Lots more chopping and slicing done yesterday with a sharp knife with no further incidents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Phew! Hope it continues good! I think you are very brave - I am such a squeamish wuss that I have had to read the posts with my hand half over my eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Sounds like good news Liz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 You now qualify for the Great British Bakeoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 You now qualify for the Great British Bakeoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Hope you are ok Chickencam. I had a similar(ish) injury recently. It does seem trivial to go to the hospital etc with an injury that isn't causing your finger to drop off. Many people downplay injury and illness, hard to say who is right and who is wrong. I would always advise you to see a medical professional though, even if I don't follow my own advice. At the very least show your friendly local pharmacist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 It is ok because still attached at the top, but the slit in the nail is at an angle and it has dried out now so may start to catch, so may go down the super glue route with it, or at the very least clear nail varnish which I forgot to buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Just had a thought Liz; when I had joggers' toenail (it splits horizontally) once, a friend who has a nail salon mended it for me using strands of fibre (silk I think) and a gel that sets hard. I gather that this is how they repair those false nails, but anyway it set fast and held well until the split eventually grew out. Might be worth you trying a nail salon near you to see if they can help repair it to stop it catching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Thanks for that DM, I will look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 DM's comment reminded me about DD telling me that you can use tea bag material in the same way to fix a nail. I think you can find out how if you google it Hope it is still improving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
