How long will my foot be swollen after stepping on a nail?

Swelling and pain usually decrease each day after the injury occurs. Although a puncture wound of the foot does not seem serious, be aware that a serious infection occasionally results from this type of injury.

How do you treat your foot after stepping on a nail?

A person can aid their recovery by:

1. keeping weight off the foot for at least 24 hours.
2. elevating the foot.
3. keeping a clean dressing on the wound, and changing bandages according to a doctor’s instructions.
4. taking over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.

How long does it take to heal a nail puncture wound?

A puncture wound is often deep, but closed; the wound can’t be scrubbed clean, and drainage is limited. As a result, infection can occur. Also, a nail sometimes pushes a foreign body (piece of shoe or sock) into the wound; having a foreign body in a wound increases the chance of infection. Infection most often takes at least 24 hours to develop.

How long does it take for a lost fingernail to grow back?

If you lose your nail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow to replace the lost nail. Toenails take about 12 months to grow back. The new nail will probably have grooves or ridges and be somewhat misshapen.

What should you do if you step on a nail?

If someone steps on a nail, they should take the following steps to clean and dress the wound: Thoroughly wash the hands with soap. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to slow the bleeding. Flush the wound with clean water and soap as soon as possible for 5–10 minutes.

What should you do if your toenails fall off?

The base or sides of the nail are pulling away or already detached from the nail bed or nail folds. The toenail has ripped off. (The nail bed may look pearly, as though the nail is still there, even though it’s completely off.) Bring the nail with you. You have a deep cut that might need stitches.