No toe nail

I had both of my big toenails removed permanently ten years ago due to ingrown nail. Before I had the toenails removed, my podiatrist told me that I would simply be able to paint over the nail bed and no one would be able to tell. What he failed to mention is that the nail bed is not flat even the salons cannot not make it even or smooth. It is not attractive surface, and painting it with a shiny paint just accentuates that.

I tried gluing on acrylic nails (tips) using the kits you can buy at the drug store. However, the glue used for that purpose also contains chemicals which are not meant to be applied directly to the skin, so I eventually developed the allergic reaction. I need to know if there is a surgical procedure or permanent implant to get a new toe nail.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Surgical reconstruction of the nail has been reported where the great toe is used to reconstruct a thumb nail that has been amputated.  The reverse from finger or thumb to toe is obviously not acceptable.  I therefore do not believe that an acceptable toenail reconstruction is possible in the complete absence of the nail.  I am unaware of any procedure using a permanent implantable artificial nail.