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July, 2025

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Permanent Toenail Removal- the final solution for toebang?

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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
Hello Dr. NS

I've been told that you can have a toenail permanently removed so that it can't grow back again. I'm extremely interested in doing so because my big toenail is fucked up for the 4th time now or something and I'm so over this shit.

Have any of you guys done this? Wondering if there would be any downsides to not having a big toenail, at least for skiing. I can't think of any
3 years ago
28 1
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Lonely
Posts: 7208 - Karma: 70,676
Just remove the toes so you can buy kid sized boots and save mad $$$
3 years ago
67 0
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GrandThings
Posts: 3360 - Karma: 34,858
Very core
3 years ago
23 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
LonelyJust remove the toes


Can’t get toebang if you don’t have toes


3 years ago
35 1
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3mania
Posts: 2657 - Karma: 10,907
Get boots that fit and stop landing backseat. Problem solved
3 years ago
13 26
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,213
Several options:


-cut your toe nails more frequently like a civilized great ape
-get your toe box punched out
-get better fitting boots

All of those will be cheaper, less painful, and easier than any surgery 🤦
3 years ago
44 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
ReturnToMonkeySeveral options:


-cut your toe nails more frequently like a civilized great ape
-get your toe box punched out
-get better fitting boots

All of those will be cheaper, less painful, and easier than any surgery 🤦


I already keep my nails as short as possible, and these are the best fitting boots I’ve had by far. Can hike rails all day in these without foot pain

I don’t think I can ever stop landing backseat entirely though. I fuck up too many tricks trying new things frequently. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes once is enough

im unconcerned about the cost or the pain of the surgery. I’m going to see a foot doc when I get home and if he can’t give me 1 decent reason not to get rid of it
3 years ago
14 0
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partyandBS
Posts: 6228 - Karma: 95,822
Sign yourself up to get declawed at your local vet
3 years ago
51 0
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Schoess
Posts: 2135 - Karma: 25,645
So over the years I have had repeated ingrown toenails on my big toes from ski boots and bad genetics I guess. The last one I had on my left big toe, I opted to have them put acid there (that's what they use to keep it from growing back) and have had no problems ever since. The key to not getting toe bang in my experience is keeping your nails short, having properly fitting and tightened boots with good insoles. If all 3 of those are being done then toe bang shouldn't generally be an issue. Anything is possible but I would start there rather than removing parts of your body haha
3 years ago
16 0
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12724 - Karma: 120,414
RparrI already keep my nails as short as possible, and these are the best fitting boots I’ve had by far. Can hike rails all day in these without foot pain

I don’t think I can ever stop landing backseat entirely though. I fuck up too many tricks trying new things frequently. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes once is enough

im unconcerned about the cost or the pain of the surgery. I’m going to see a foot doc when I get home and if he can’t give me 1 decent reason not to get rid of it


Imagine getting toe bang and still thinking your boots fit
3 years ago
16 5
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Lenny-
Posts: 1661 - Karma: 9,554
SchoessSo over the years I have had repeated ingrown toenails on my big toes from ski boots and bad genetics I guess. The last one I had on my left big toe, I opted to have them put acid there (that's what they use to keep it from growing back) and have had no problems ever since. The key to not getting toe bang in my experience is keeping your nails short, having properly fitting and tightened boots with good insoles. If all 3 of those are being done then toe bang shouldn't generally be an issue. Anything is possible but I would start there rather than removing parts of your body haha


Body mods are so core tho... I know a dude who had both arms removed bc he couldnt keep em by his side.
3 years ago
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AlexHallsEyebrow
Posts: 835 - Karma: 7,807
We need photo evidence (make sure there’s good lighting on your big toes-and get a picture with good focus)
3 years ago
23 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
A good fit doesn't magically eliminate the possibility of toebang, it only makes it much less likely.

Don't worry I'll post pics of my frankenstien toe after the nail is permanently removed
3 years ago
13 0
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,999
I lost a toenail in January and it still hasn’t fully grown back yet… sad
3 years ago
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Dlonetti
Posts: 2027 - Karma: 21,963
LenntBody mods are so core tho... I know a dude who had both arms removed bc he couldnt keep em by his side.


Someone tell Luke Obrien about this procedure
3 years ago
16 0
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PhlebotomistOld
Posts: 195 - Karma: 1,519
RparrI already keep my nails as short as possible, and these are the best fitting boots I’ve had by far. Can hike rails all day in these without foot pain

I don’t think I can ever stop landing backseat entirely though. I fuck up too many tricks trying new things frequently. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes once is enough

im unconcerned about the cost or the pain of the surgery. I’m going to see a foot doc when I get home and if he can’t give me 1 decent reason not to get rid of it


from what ive seen they just remove whats left of the nail and cauterize the nail bed or whatever so it doesnt grow back, probably takes like 15-20 minutes including numbing it up and everything. Its mostly done for old people that have trouble self caring for ingrown nails

**This post was edited on May 20th 2022 at 10:55:03am
3 years ago
1 0
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9842 - Karma: 66,600
3 years ago
8 0
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SaucySlider69
Posts: 25 - Karma: 274
DiD yoU tRy Full TilTs
3 years ago
11 1
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s_double_
Posts: 9 - Karma: 59
Dealt with it for years from hockey skates, bike shoes, climbing shoes and ski boots were always the worst. Would be a yearly cycle of going black - either falling off or getting them professionally removed; they grow back and become ingrown and super sensitive[at which point the going black and falling off is almost a relief].

After almost 10 years of that cycle I finally had them removed permanently before this season - should have done it years ago. They numb your toes, remove the nail and 'cauterize' the root so they don't grow back. They were almost completely healed over after about 4 weeks and I've had zero pain or issues. AND they look 1000x better than fucked up toe nails. [wifey approved]

Go for it, they looked fucked for a week or two after surgery but once they heal you'll wish you did it sooner.
3 years ago
9 0
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rojo.grande
Posts: 1610 - Karma: 13,132
Just blasted my fucking big toe skating the other day, been draining blood from it daily. Praying it doesn’t blow totally open before the fridge, would greatly prefer to not ski with it fucked
3 years ago
2 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
s_double_Dealt with it for years from hockey skates, bike shoes, climbing shoes and ski boots were always the worst. Would be a yearly cycle of going black - either falling off or getting them professionally removed; they grow back and become ingrown and super sensitive[at which point the going black and falling off is almost a relief].

After almost 10 years of that cycle I finally had them removed permanently before this season - should have done it years ago. They numb your toes, remove the nail and 'cauterize' the root so they don't grow back. They were almost completely healed over after about 4 weeks and I've had zero pain or issues. AND they look 1000x better than fucked up toe nails. [wifey approved]

Go for it, they looked fucked for a week or two after surgery but once they heal you'll wish you did it sooner.


Thank you for the insight, this is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I’ve got an appointment in about a month, definitely looking forward to getting this over with
3 years ago
4 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
rojo.grandeJust blasted my fucking big toe skating the other day, been draining blood from it daily. Praying it doesn’t blow totally open before the fridge, would greatly prefer to not ski with it fucked


It usually takes multiple months from when it was bruised until it falls off, you should be good if you don't make the bruising any worse between now and fridge
3 years ago
0 0
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s_double_
Posts: 9 - Karma: 59
RparrThank you for the insight, this is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I’ve got an appointment in about a month, definitely looking forward to getting this over with


You're gonna be so relieved. My only regret is not doing it sooner. I used to search forums looking for something/someone to tell me to just do it and get it over with. I'll admit - the first couple weeks, removing the bandages I would be like "wtf did i do" but they heal and life is simply better. You'll be happy you did
3 years ago
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Icant_kfed
Posts: 1279 - Karma: 11,596
3maniaGet boots that fit and stop landing backseat. Problem solved


How else will I get penetrated by my pivots?
3 years ago
2 1
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AlexHallsEyebrow
Posts: 835 - Karma: 7,807
RparrA good fit doesn't magically eliminate the possibility of toebang, it only makes it much less likely.

Don't worry I'll post pics of my frankenstien toe after the nail is permanently removed

Feel free to pm me a couple more;)
3 years ago
1 0
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maddecipher
Posts: 73 - Karma: 359
i thought i might find something terrible in here... toenail and toebang are no joke
3 years ago
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
Just scheduled the procedure for late july after finally talking to a podiatrist. Stoked
3 years ago
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HiHowAreYou
Posts: 524 - Karma: -3,355
Something needs to be done about these toenails. We need a solution. A final solution, some may say.
3 years ago
3 0
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Itsnotmywallet
Posts: 309 - Karma: 3,956
RparrJust scheduled the procedure for late july after finally talking to a podiatrist. Stoked


Did you explain you’re getting it done because of ski boot problems??
3 years ago
1 2
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
PattolanDid you explain you’re getting it done because of ski boot problems??


yup I'm far from the first skier he's done this procedure for. Can't wait to be impervious to toebang
3 years ago
4 0
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Lenny-
Posts: 1661 - Karma: 9,554
This is so bad ass I wish I had the balls to be core enough for body mods. Maybe one day. Glad you are going through with it.
3 years ago
2 1
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asparagus
Posts: 2500 - Karma: 28,453
Got through a whole season cutting my toenails once a month and hiking rails daily with my toes scrunched up in my 3 year old boots. There's something magical about boots that feel good
3 years ago
3 0
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NotEnoughSkiing
Posts: 94 - Karma: 467
In my experience people think it's a length of boot/toe issue but it may not be, it could be a slight height issue in the toebox.

I've had a hard time explaining it but here goes. Sitting there in your bare feet, squeeze your big toe down on the nail using your fingers like a vice grip. Squeeze REALLY hard. If that pain roughly feels equivalent to what you feel when you bang your toes, then it may be height issue in the toebox.

If that's what it is, then all the filling and trimming may help a tiny bit but doesn't really help. If that's how you feel consider describing that to a bootfitter.

Most boot fitters can scrape/carve a bit of plastic to give you a little more height. That usually does it for me. I describe it as "please ream out top of toe box on big toe only to add a little more height up"
3 years ago
1 0
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VV.XTREME
Posts: 501 - Karma: 3,064
I just had my toenail surgically removed, was pretty chill
3 years ago
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
sharpskiI just had my toenail surgically removed, was pretty chill


permanent removal with the acid?
3 years ago
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VV.XTREME
Posts: 501 - Karma: 3,064
I don’t think so
Rparrpermanent removal with the acid?
3 years ago
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GaperGuy69
Posts: 16 - Karma: -79
Thats actually smart asf. The only downside is I have a foot fetish
3 years ago
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jimbobs
Posts: 469 - Karma: 4,779
I have a wicked painful ingrown that's grown back 3 times now after getting it cut down / partially removed by a doc. I literally called it growing back again when they said they wouldn't be treating the root / problem area after the last visit. Pretty irked about that one.

Considering performing this procedure on myself with some vice grips at this point, unless there's an easier way to kill your nail off to have it grow back fresh.
3 years ago
0 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
jimbobsI have a wicked painful ingrown that's grown back 3 times now after getting it cut down / partially removed by a doc. I literally called it growing back again when they said they wouldn't be treating the root / problem area after the last visit. Pretty irked about that one.

Considering performing this procedure on myself with some vice grips at this point, unless there's an easier way to kill your nail off to have it grow back fresh.


I’d advise against this, you need acid to chemically treat the root to prevent it from growing back. Doing it yourself will have a risk of infection, and a lot of pain. It’s a really simple, common procedure. If your doc isn’t willing to do it, find another podiatrist. Most of them would be very willing to do this
3 years ago
1 0
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jimbobs
Posts: 469 - Karma: 4,779
RparrI’d advise against this, you need acid to chemically treat the root to prevent it from growing back. Doing it yourself will have a risk of infection, and a lot of pain. It’s a really simple, common procedure. If your doc isn’t willing to do it, find another podiatrist. Most of them would be very willing to do this

Yeah, I'm very aware it's a bad idea, and probably won't do anything of the sort, but good lord I want to so badly. Thing has been nothing but problems for over a year now. Going to be super upfront with the doc next time and tell them I seriously need the whole nine yards, acid and all. Nicely, of course, but make sure they understand I'm serious.
3 years ago
0 0
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kbrando
Posts: 1208 - Karma: 904
I had this done about 15 years ago, it was for other issues unrelated to toe bang from skiing, went through all the proper channels with a pediatrist and he used the acid to permanently kill the nail bed. The procedure worked fine and to this day, I do not have toe nails on either of my big toes. I will caution you though, having no nail led to other problems for me including permanent nerve damage in my toes. The nail is there to protect the nerves in your toes/feet so when that is no longer there, the toe is susceptible to other damage. My recommendation would be to get properly fitted boots before going this route.
3 years ago
1 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
kbrandoI had this done about 15 years ago, it was for other issues unrelated to toe bang from skiing, went through all the proper channels with a pediatrist and he used the acid to permanently kill the nail bed. The procedure worked fine and to this day, I do not have toe nails on either of my big toes. I will caution you though, having no nail led to other problems for me including permanent nerve damage in my toes. The nail is there to protect the nerves in your toes/feet so when that is no longer there, the toe is susceptible to other damage. My recommendation would be to get properly fitted boots before going this route.


Damn I had never considered this tbh. My doc made no mention of it either. Giving me some serious second thoughts, I don’t think I’d like to have nerve pain at the young age if 28
My boots fit very well, I think the majority of my toebang incidents come from times where my boots are loose. Usually I start out with my boots loose, and tighten them over the course of the first couple runs of the day. Sometimes I’m not very diligent about doing this, I think that’s where my toebang comes from
3 years ago
0 0
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ammonfs
Posts: 10 - Karma: 32
This is my second time to have my toe turn black as well. Ive skied for a couple of days, pprobably had a few backseat landings and I gus the boots could be better to, but Im wondering if you have an update on this matter.



If I keep loosing weeks on the hill because my fucking toe is just shit Im gonna go crazy, so Im also looing at other options now ...
8 months ago
0 0
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,468
ammonfsThis is my second time to have my toe turn black as well. Ive skied for a couple of days, pprobably had a few backseat landings and I gus the boots could be better to, but Im wondering if you have an update on this matter.



If I keep loosing weeks on the hill because my fucking toe is just shit Im gonna go crazy, so Im also looing at other options now ...


I never got the removal procedure done because I was too scared of the chance of nerve damage to my toe. A busted toenail will eventually fall off and regrow, but nerve damage is for life
8 months ago
2 0
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Dlonetti
Posts: 2027 - Karma: 21,963
ammonfsThis is my second time to have my toe turn black as well. Ive skied for a couple of days, pprobably had a few backseat landings and I gus the boots could be better to, but Im wondering if you have an update on this matter.



If I keep loosing weeks on the hill because my fucking toe is just shit Im gonna go crazy, so Im also looing at other options now ...

i got better boots and it fixed my issues
8 months ago
2 0
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SmokedGouda
Posts: 1235 - Karma: 6,914
well after two seasons with the same beat up nails, they finally kicked the bucket this season and apart from my pinky nails digging into their adjacent toes bleeding from day of skiing, I at least now have a bit less pain in my feet, but my foot bumps are showing up again.... Man my feet are fucked. Ive also on occasion lost the nails of other toes from skiing. Im also tempted of sealing them, but I think my toenail fungus might just do the trick instead.
8 months ago
0 0
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ammonfs
Posts: 10 - Karma: 32
... and i felt like im the only one with this kinda shit going on ...
8 months ago
1 0
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je_t.aime_canard
Posts: 626 - Karma: 7,570
just run marathons in the off-season, i came into last season with 3 missing and didn't lose any from toe bang because i had none to lose. correlation = causation, science init
8 months ago
1 0
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Way*Mo
Posts: 784 - Karma: 3,317
s_double_Dealt with it for years from hockey skates, bike shoes, climbing shoes and ski boots were always the worst. Would be a yearly cycle of going black - either falling off or getting them professionally removed; they grow back and become ingrown and super sensitive[at which point the going black and falling off is almost a relief].

After almost 10 years of that cycle I finally had them removed permanently before this season - should have done it years ago. They numb your toes, remove the nail and 'cauterize' the root so they don't grow back. They were almost completely healed over after about 4 weeks and I've had zero pain or issues. AND they look 1000x better than fucked up toe nails. [wifey approved]

Go for it, they looked fucked for a week or two after surgery but once they heal you'll wish you did it sooner.

How painful was it after? Did you just get your big toenails or all of them?

I want to get all mine off.
8 months ago
0 0
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s_double_
Posts: 9 - Karma: 59
Way*MoHow painful was it after? Did you just get your big toenails or all of them?

I want to get all mine off.


Only had the big ones removed - those were the only ones truly giving me issues. Said it before but if you're even considering doing it - just do it. Wish someone would have told me this or I would've found this solution sooner.

That being said, I wouldn't do it mid season. The removal solved all my pain and issues and there hasn't been any since but the healing process was no joke. It took almost a month until I could wear socks/shoes without bandages. Expect about a month of applying antibiotic ointment + wrapping them in gauze and coband to protect. They're pretty much open wounds for the first couple weeks. Not gonna lie, I woke up the first day, unwrapped them and was like what the fuck did I do. But they healed up perfectly and I no longer even think about it.
8 months ago
2 0
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albinoboy
Posts: 377 - Karma: 2,151
I used to have this problem. My feet would move around too much in full tilts. So now I ski in a pair of properly fitting race boots with insoles and that helped a lot. Final thing that’s helped me are gel toe protectors.
These little toe condoms save my ass
8 months ago
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