Had a pedicure today, which is usually uneventful. The nail salon is scrupulous about hygeine--autoclaved tools, plenty of stainless-steel foot bowls (several more than there are pedi stations) which are washed and disinfected in very hot soapy water so that each patron gets a fresh one. No razors, just pumice and scrubs on calluses. One of my toenails had gotten very thick over 10 years (my podiatrist assured me it's age, not fungus)--it's the one I've stubbed and fractured several times. Only in the past few months did the skin color finally return to normal (three years after the last fracture). Today, it began to bleed after being filed vigorously--the toenail, not the toe skin or cuticle! Called Bob's office nurse who was as flummoxed as all of us how a human toenail, supposedly dead keratin, could have blood vessels (dogs' and cats' claws DO). She had me raise the foot and put pressure over the toe while the other foot got its nails painted. After wondering how it could happen, she casually asked me if Bob (a cardiologist) had me on aspirin therapy. I said no but I was taking Voltaren for arthritis and recently switched it from bedtime to morning to reduce reflux. BINGO--Voltaren, and any other NSAIDs such as Advil--can increase bleeding and inhibit clotting. So I had the tech put some antibiotic ointment and a band-aid on and put a dot of matching polish on it to resemble a toenail, and I drank a couple of cups of green tea (which has vitamin K, which is why it's taboo for heart patients on blood thinners) to promote clotting. Going back tomorrow (making sure it's healed) to get that one nail painted.
So next time you're going for a manicure, pedicure, or any other procedure where you might accidentally nick yourself, wait till afterwards to take any aspirin or NSAIDs (even OTC)! And if offered a hot beverage, go for the green tea.
That band-aid with the nail-polish on it looks cute, though. Think I'll try it next time I stub and bust a toe and have to buddy-tape it!