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A nail in the foot not only causes severe pain, but also increases the risk of infection. With the right first aid and a quick response, you can avoid complications.
Nail in the foot: first aid measures for a quick recovery
A nail in the foot is not only extremely unpleasant, but also a health risk. Here’s what you should do:
- Keep calm and avoid movement to prevent consequential damage.
- Elevate the foot and do not put any more weight on it to reduce bleeding and pain.
- If the nail is deeply embedded, very dirty or rusty, you should not remove it yourself under any circumstances, but seek medical help immediately;
- When being taken to the doctor, it is advisable to keep the foot elevated and not to step on it.
- Only a doctor can check whether nerves, blood vessels or bones have been injured. If splinters or deeper damage are suspected, an X-ray may be necessary.
- If the wound is bleeding heavily, apply a clean pressure bandage if possible and seek medical attention immediately;
- The doctor will clean the wound professionally and give a tetanus vaccination if necessary. If the vaccination status is unclear, the booster should be given within 48 hours.
Treating nails in the foot yourself: step-by-step instructions
In certain cases, you can treat superficial injuries caused by small, clean nails yourself – but be careful.
- Only pull out the nail if it has not penetrated deeply and there is no risk of bruising or broken nail parts.
- Carefully check that the nail has been completely removed and that no pieces remain.
- Disinfect the wound immediately with a PVP iodine solution and leave it on for at least three minutes to effectively kill germs.
- Use a sterile plaster or bandage to cover the wound and replace it daily.
- Watch the area for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, throbbing or persistent pain. Seek medical attention promptly if such symptoms occur.
- Children, the elderly or people with a weakened immune system should always seek medical help more quickly.
- And the following also applies to small wounds: If the nail is visibly dirty or rusty, you should leave the treatment to a doctor.
- Always check your tetanus protection. If your vaccination status is unclear or it has been more than ten years since your last vaccination, a booster should be given within 48 hours.
- This section does not replace medical advice. If you are unsure, experience persistent pain, bleeding or signs of inflammation, you should always seek medical help.
