I ended up getting surgery - part of the nail removed - from the outside edge of both my big toes. That was after i had a bad episode as you are now describing, but also after years of trouble. This episode probably will NOT heal on its own, but it shouldnt be too difficult for the dr to fix, if i remember correctly. Maybe because he gets better leverage on it than we can ourselves! Good luck. Tough that it happened on these holidays and maybe get rid of those shoes or boots? Just not worth it.