Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail? | Mumsnet (2025)

Please create an account or log in to access all these features

Save

PM

Sharing posts outside of Mumsnet does not disclose your username

Bottom

Please create an account or log in to access all these features

Talk

Style and beauty

Start thread

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Watch thread Flip

Watch Save

71 replies

user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 19:33

I realise style and beauty may not be the right area.

Excuse my manky foot.
I had my toe nail removed year ago after it was ingrowing. They applied something on it to stop it growing back. But it looks a mess!

How can I disguise it in the summer?
The chiropodist said to paint the skin, but it flakes off withing hours. I've also tried a fake nail and that too just falls off v quickly due to shape of my nail bed.

You can see it's growing back slightly and I have to keep it trimmed back etc. But I only did that a few days ago! It's all v high maintenance and quite frankly embarrassing.

Any ideas? I appreciate it's an odd problem....

Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail? | Mumsnet (1)

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post Report

FogCutter · 25/05/2018 19:35

A chiropodist can treat this by putting a type of false nail on it.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Undercoverbanana · 25/05/2018 19:39

I am a runner. Currently missing 4 toenails. Just wait for it to heal over and paint the skin the same as remaining nails.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 19:40

Really? That's not been mentioned to me at all?

Would it be different to ones I can buy myself and apply with nail glue? I can't get them to stick as the nailed is so sunken. It doesn't help that the bit at the end of the toe is also raised now!

I used to have gorgeous feet. They are swollen trotters now (with no toe nail!)

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Neato · 25/05/2018 19:41

You can buy stick on manicured false nails from Superdrug

Quote

React

Add post

Report

pigpoglet · 25/05/2018 19:41

I would paint the skin 🤷‍♀️

Quote

React

Add post

Report

user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 19:42

banana doesn't yours just flake off?

I painted it a pale pink earlier in week and by lunch time it had flaked off.

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Advertisement

unintentionalthreadkiller · 25/05/2018 19:54

I painted the skin for ages when I lost both big toenails after a very long hike.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Mumsnet Weekly Hot Threads

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail? | Mumsnet (2)

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 20:02

Maybe I need to apply a top coat or something? Or a base coat? I'm not really into this type of stuff! So probably doing it wrong.

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post

Report

WindyWednesday · 25/05/2018 20:05

Nail polish won’t stick to skin, it will come off. I use a plaster over my missing toenail. No one comments, unless it’s a Disney princess plaster.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

vampirethriller · 25/05/2018 20:11

My toenails on my little toes never grew and I've always just painted the skin

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Bubblysqueak · 25/05/2018 20:12

you can get breathable nail polish from boots which I use where my big toe nail is supposed to be, it works well.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

butterry · 25/05/2018 20:36

Go to a nail salon and have an acrylic nail put on the big toe, it will paint much better! It should stay on at least a month but I would have it maintained at salon every 3 weeks just to check water doesn’t get caught underneath and cause problems because your real nail isn’t growing out so smoothly.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 20:44

Thanks everyone!

Will try a few of these out. Don't the plaster trick before Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail? | Mumsnet (3).

If I can get a falsie on I'd be happy. Like I said, my DIY attempts have failed. Will try asking someone else to do it!

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post

Report

WillyPlonker · 25/05/2018 20:51

Acrylic will do the trick. Ask your nearest nail salon.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

FogCutter · 25/05/2018 20:59

Yes google toenail reconstruction, much better than just putting a normal acrylic false nail on.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

user1471530109 · 25/05/2018 21:07

OMG fog that is exactly what I need!

Thank you Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail? | Mumsnet (4)

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post

Report

FogCutter · 25/05/2018 21:09

You are welcome!

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Undercoverbanana · 25/05/2018 21:42

Nope - have been painting hardened skin for donkey’s years. No probs. Skanky, but true.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

southernharp · 26/05/2018 12:19

Omg. Is this my foot? But both of mine are like this. The end of the toe is too swollen to allow a standard false nail. I have had this issue for more than20 years and would lov nicer feet.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Eminybob · 26/05/2018 12:32

Both my big toenails fell off just before I got married.
My nail lady painted gel polish into the skin and it lasted as long as the honeymoon.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

user1471530109 · 26/05/2018 16:24

Thanks everyone. I'm so glad I'm not alone with this problem! I feel like people are staring at my feet when I wear my sandals. I also have terrible fungal infections on that one foot. The other foot is beautiful! The GP won't treat it as it's cosmetic (which I get-but I've not found anything that's worked. Had it now for 15 years).

I'm on a mission to sort out my appearance. And this has been bugging me for far too long.

I will try all these suggestions. I'm going to start with a more expensive gel style polish and top coat.

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Madbengalmum · 26/05/2018 16:36

I specialise in toe nail reconstruction, do not stick an acrylic nail on to your toe. You will make the situation worse, it can be rectified no problem,but you need a qualified foot health professional to look at it.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Madbengalmum · 26/05/2018 16:38

Also doing a proper job will last up to four months.

Quote

React

Add post

Report

user1471530109 · 26/05/2018 18:47

mum any rough estimate how much this would cost?

I'm also worried a nail technician wouldn't consider helping due to the rest of the toilet nails on that foot being infected by this bastard fungus! Tbh, it's what's stopped me asking for help before.

I do have a friend who is a v experienced nail technician. Is what you are suggesting a very specialised area? I should just ask her, but I'm a bit embarrassed.

I'd LOVE to have it last over the summer!

OP posts:

Quote

React

Add post

Report

paceyswife · 26/05/2018 19:23

I stuck on a false nail when this happened to my big toe - removed it when at home and not showing feet in public

Quote

React

Add post

Report

Watch Save

Watch thread Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

Ideas of how to disguise missing toe nail? | Mumsnet (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 5962

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.