What to do, causes, and removal

A broken or detached toenail is a common and often painful condition that many people experience in their lifetime.

Detached toenails are usually safe to remove, and they will typically grow back within a year and a half.

A detached toenail can result from an injury or infection. Fungal infections or injuries may require additional medical attention to help ensure the toenail grows back properly.

In this article, we discuss what to do when a toenail is falling off. We also look at what causes a detached toenail and when to see a doctor.

When the toenail begins to fall off, a person may be advised to seek medical attention.

However, in the first instance, they may start treatment on the toenail by:

• using a file to remove rough edges
• cleaning the nail bed
• covering the area with a bandage
• carefully clipping partially attached nails
• avoiding the removal of any remaining nail

If the underlying cause is not treated, it can prevent the nail from growing back properly, or at all. An infection may require medication.

There are several common causes of a nail falling off. These include fungal infections, injuries, and psoriasis.

There are some less common causes, such as medication side effects and other illnesses, which do not affect many people.

Possible causes of a nail falling off include:

Fungal infection

Fungus can grow on many areas of the body, including between the nail and the nail bed. When this occurs, a person runs the risk of the toenail falling off.

However, there are some signs a person can look out for before a nail a detaches. The signs of fungal infection include:

• white or yellowish discoloration of the nail
• a foul smell
• thicker toenails
• unusual toenail shape
• brittle or easily broken nails

Fungal infections can develop for many reasons and are more likely to occur when the skin or nail is broken. Key causes and risk factors include:

• aging
• cracked nails
• athlete’s foot
• diabetes

Treating fungal infections is often tricky. It may require topical creams, oral antifungal medications, or sometimes a combination of the two.

In extreme cases, a person may require surgery to remove the nail and stop it from growing back.

Preventing toenail fungus may be easier than treating the infection. A person can prevent toenail fungus by:

• keeping the feet dry
• keeping the nails trimmed
• changing socks frequently
• disinfecting nail clippers after use
• wearing shoes in damp community areas, such as gym locker rooms

Injury

Injuries are a common cause of a toenail falling off. Even minor injuries can have this impact. Typical injuries may include:

• a bike or car accident
• dropping a heavy object on the toe
• contact sports
• ballet or other demanding forms of dance
• stubbing the toe on a hard surface

When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks.

When the hematoma covers more than a small portion of the nail, or there is intense pain or throbbing, a person should seek medical attention. A doctor may be able to relieve the pressure by creating a small hole with a needle, which allows the blood to drain.

In many cases, a person can treat the injury at home. Common treatment methods include:

• elevating the foot
• soaking the area in cool water
• applying fresh bandages frequently
• taking anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen
• cleaning the area with antibiotic ointments
• clipping away jagged edges of the nail

Depending on which toe is affected, and how much of the nail is damaged, it can take up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back completely.

It is important to wear well-fitting shoes and socks and keep the nail well-trimmed to prevent further injury.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder that causes scaly, red patches to appear on a person’s skin. This condition causes the body to overproduce skin cells that buildup in patches.

Psoriasis typically appears on the skin, but up to 55 percent of people with this condition also experience it on their finger or toenails.

A person who does not have psoriasis on their skin is unlikely to develop nail psoriasis. Only 5 percent of people without psoriasis on their skin will get nail psoriasis.

When psoriasis appears under the nail, it is often mild and causes minimal issues. However, the buildup of skin cells can act in the same way as blood forming under an injured nail — eventually, the pressure can cause the nail to fall off.

Symptoms of psoriasis under the toenail include:

• yellow or brown coloration
• thick nails
• abnormal nail shape
• chalky buildup under the nail
• pitting of the nail

Many of the symptoms of psoriasis and fungal infections are similar. A person with psoriasis should speak to his or her doctor to rule out a fungal infection.

A person can start to treat psoriasis by soaking the nail in warm water. A doctor will likely prescribe additional medicated creams to help alleviate the symptoms. Phototherapy (light therapy) may also be an option.

If only part of a toenail has fallen off, it is essential to leave the remaining part of the nail in place.

In this case, instead of removing it, a person should trim or file any jagged or uneven edges to smooth it out. This will help prevent further injury or the nail catching on socks or footwear.

Any nail that has not completely come away from the nail bed or is still attached to another bit of nail should be clipped off. Once clipped, the remaining nail should be smoothed out with a file.

Share on PinterestDressing the damaged nail with a bandage will help protect the injury and keep the area clean.

If a person removes a nail, they are at greater risk of damaging the skin of the nail bed and of developing an infection. Signs of infection can include:

Fungal infections that do not resolve at home should be seen by a doctor to get appropriate treatment.

A person should see their doctor if they suspect an infection in or around the nail, or if they have an injury that is causing concern.

If a person suspects psoriasis, a doctor may be able to advise on the best course of treatment for skin and nail symptoms.

While a toenail falling off is usually not a major medical concern, it can be painful and annoying.

In some cases, a damaged or detaching toenail may become infected, or it may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

A person can take steps at home to help ensure that the nail bed is kept clean and protected. If a person suspects an infection, medical attention may be appropriate.

Toenail Regrowth After a Fungal Infection — Yellow Toenails Cured

Toenail fungus is easy to catch, but it’s hard to remove. It grows fast, especially when your feet are always in socks and shoes. It can do many things to your nail, like turning it different colors or making it thicker. If left alone, the nail can start crumbling and even start to lift off the skin.

Some people say that you will never grow a new toenail after toenail fungus, but that’s not true. When you kill the fungus, a new healthy nail will start to grow in its place. Toenail regrowth after a fungal infection will take several months, but you will have a normal-looking and healthy nail again.

In this article, we will talk about how your nail begins to heal after the infection is gone. As everyone is different, we will talk about how long it will take for the new nail to grow in its place. We will also suggest things that you can use to help your nail grow faster and stronger.

It’s recommended that you explore some of the different ways to prevent toenail fungus from returning once it’s healed. Unfortunately, people who are affected by fungus are statistically more likely to become infected again.

Healing Fungal Infections

The time it takes to kill toenail fungus completely varies from person to person, but it usually takes from 6 months to a year to completely kill it. As you are treating it, though, and it starts to heal, you will notice the changes much sooner.

For a healthy nail to grow back in place, you have to be consistent with the routine of treating the fungus. If you stop before it’s gone, or if you miss a treatment, the fungus will be right back where it started.

How Does a New Nail Grow?

As the fungus dies, you will start to see a healthy nail appear from the cuticle. This is where the bottom of the nail meets the toe itself. As you start to see this, keep paying special attention to the cuticle when you’re using a treatment, as this will keep the nail healthy.

There will be no discoloration or thickness of the new nail. As the nail grows in, keep the infected part trimmed as much as you can, and this will help to protect the new nail. Nails don’t grow very fast, but you will see when it starts to come out.

Don’t assume that the fungus is dead, because if you stop treating it now, the healthy nail may very well get infected also. Treat the nail as if it still has the infection, until the new nail grows. This may seem like a pain, but it is the only way to ensure a healthy nail.

Possible Problems or Complications

If you are otherwise healthy, there should be no further problems when the fungus is gone. Your new nail will grow back in healthily.

If you have a health condition where your immune system doesn’t work properly, such as diabetes, HIV aids, or a lack of circulation to your feet, then you really should see a podiatrist.

They will be best able to help you to rid your nail completely of any existing fungus, and they may be able to tell you other things that you can do to ensure that a healthy toenail will grow back in.

Faster Toenail Regrowth After a Fungal Infection

There are some things that you can do that will help the new nail grow faster. You can use tea tree oil, which is an essential oil packed with healing properties like anti-fungal and antibacterial. This will help to make sure that the fungus is completely killed, and stays away.

This oil has been used to heal infections and to treat other skin ailments. It is used in many products for treating toenail fungus, because of its benefits. It also has properties that will speed up the healing process, so you’ll see changes to your nail(s) faster.

You have to keep clipping your nail as far as you can so that you get rid of the remaining infected nail. It is tedious, but when you see the new nail growing in, you will realize that it is worth it.

Remember always to disinfect anything that comes into contact with your nail, such as nail clippers, files, towels, etc. And wash your hands when you are done. Doing these will also help in keeping the fungus from returning.

If you wear nail polish, don’t use the regular ones just to hide toenail fungus. You should use specialist antifungal nail polishes, such as Dr.’s Remedy and DaniPro. They will help to hide and treat the infection.

How Long Does It Take for the Nail to Grow?

Depending on the severity of the infection, you can start to see improvements in your nail in a few weeks. For complete regrowth, however, it could take anywhere from 6 months to a year.

This also depends on whether or not you are consistent with treating the fungus, and how well you keep the nail trimmed. No one can say for sure how long it will take a toenail to regrow, but for most people, this is the case.

Protecting the New Nail from Getting Infected

When you get a fungal nail infection, there is a good chance that you may get it again in the future. This doesn’t mean that you will get it, but there is a higher probability. There are ways to help to protect the nail from getting reinfected. Here are some tips:

• Make sure that you thoroughly sterilize your old shoes with StinkBOSS. The fungus is still living there, and it doesn’t die if you don’t do something to eliminate the problem.
• If you can’t afford new shoes, there are good antifungal sprays for keeping the fungus at bay. Spray the insides of your shoes after they’ve been worn.
• When you trim your nails, trim them straight across.
• Make sure that your feet are thoroughly dry before putting socks on.

When you have had a fungal infection that has caused serious damage to your toenail, it is possible for a healthy one to grow back in its place.  It will take time, though. It may seem like forever, but it’s not. You will likely see signs of a healthy nail in as little as a month or two.

Torn or Detached Nail | CS Mott Children’s Hospital

Topic Overview

What causes a detached nail?

It can be very painful to tear or rip your nail from the nail bed. A nail may separate from the nail bed (detach) for many reasons, including:

• Injuries.
  • Separation caused by injury is common in people who have long fingernails. The nail may pry away from the nail bed when it is hit or jammed.
  • Severe or repetitive toe stubbing may cause a toenail to detach. This is also common in athletes who wear shoes that aren’t roomy enough.
• Fungal nail infection, which occurs when fungi invade a fingernail or toenail and the skin underneath the nail (nail bed). Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, and symptoms include cracked, yellow, discolored, streaked, thickened, or spotted nails.
• Skin conditions, such as psoriasis.
• Chemicals, such as acetone nail polish removers or some soaps.
• Medicines, such as chemotherapy or antimalarial medicines.
• Severe illnesses.

After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.

How is it treated?

Home treatment often helps relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent infection. Treatment may involve removing the nail, keeping the area dry to prevent infection, and waiting for a new nail to grow. The infection or skin condition that caused the separated nail will also need to be treated.

• File any sharp edges smooth, or trim the nail. This will help prevent catching the nail and tearing it more.
• Trim off the detached part of a large tear, or leave the nail alone.
  • Cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown out enough to protect the finger or toe.
  • If you trim off the detached nail, you will have less worry about the nail catching and tearing.
  • If you leave the detached nail in place, it will eventually fall off when the new nail grows in.
• Use scissors to remove the detached part of the nail if the nail is partly attached.
• Soak your finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming the nail.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and cover the area with a nonstick bandage.

To prevent infection:

• Soak your foot or hand in a solution of 1 tsp (5 g) of salt dissolved in 4 cups (1 L) warm water for 20 minutes, 2 or 3 times each day, for the next 3 days. Reapply petroleum jelly, and cover with a fresh adhesive bandage.
• Keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail bed is firm or the nail has grown back. Apply a new adhesive bandage whenever the bandage gets wet.
• Watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus.
• Remove an artificial nail if it separates from the nail bed. If you leave it on, the long, artificial nail can tear the nail bed.

Have a doctor trim your nail if you:

• Aren’t comfortable trimming the nail yourself.
• Have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an immune system problem. These problems may cause reduced blood flow and loss of feeling in the feet. Untreated nail injuries can lead to infection, foot ulcers, and other serious problems.

Credits

Current as of:
July 2, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine

Current as of: July 2, 2020

Author:
Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine

How to Stamp Out Toenail and Foot Fungus

Fungi love dark, damp places, so your feet are especially vulnerable to fungal infection, says Rebecca Sundling, doctor of podiatric medicine, a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association, and a podiatrist at Northwood Foot and Ankle Center in Holland, Michigan. Both toenail fungus and foot fungus are very common, and both can be caused by the same organism. However, they aren’t the same condition, and they are treated differently, she explains. Read on to learn how to identify toenail and foot fungus, and how to prevent and treat both.

Toenail Fungus: Causes and Risk Factors

Toenail fungus is a fungal infection in the toenail. It happens when a fungus — anything from mold to yeast to other types of fungus — gets in the nail bed from a cut or break in the nail or repetitive trauma to the nail, and penetrates the nail itself, says Dr. Sundling. The nail then continues to grow with the fungus. Once a nail plate is infected with fungus, it will never not be infected, and you must wait to see how it grows out and whether the new nail growing behind it is healthy. The new nail rarely grows in healthy without treatment, says Sundling.

Toenail fungus is very common — 14 percent of people have it in North America, according to an article published in the journal PLoS Pathogens — and it’s more common the older you get, adds Sundling. Wearing shoes that are too small can damage the nail and make it more vulnerable to fungus, as can having a fungal infection on the skin of the foot (known as foot fungus or athlete’s foot) and not treating it, which could expose the nail to fungus. You may be more at risk to toenail fungus if you have diabetes, or a weaker immune system.

Signs and Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

When you have a toenail fungus, the nail tends to be thickened, discolored — yellow, brown, or dark white — and crumbly (it’s a little bit more brittle and breaks easily), says Sundling. It’s not always painful, but it may get painful as the nail gets thick and is pushed down into the skin, she adds.

Your Options for Treating Toenail Fungus

If you think you may have toenail fungus, you should see a podiatrist or dermatologist, who will send a specimen or a piece of your nail to a lab. Different types of fungus are treated slightly differently, so it’s important to know which type you have, says Sundling.

Also, sometimes the root of the problem is not a fungus at all, but rather another condition, or some kind of trauma to the nail bed — for instance, if you dropped something on your toe. There is no treatment for toenail trauma, but removing the nail may be an option if the nail is painful.

If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

• Trimming the Toenail Trimming the toenail is usually combined with medication, but having a podiatrist periodically trim the nail down is helpful and allows the medication to work better, says Sundling. (Most of the time, the nail gets so thick that you can’t trim it yourself, she adds.)
• Prescription Topical Medications These are used the same way you would use nail polish. One such medication, efinaconazole, has about a 50 percent success rate, says Sundling, and you must use it every day for 48 weeks. Another similar medication, ciclopirox, has a 20 percent success rate, and you must use it for 11 to 12 months, she adds. One caveat: If you like painting your toenails with regular nail polish, you won’t be able to do so for the whole time you’re using these medicines.
• Oral Medications Terbinafine is an oral medication that you take every day for three months, and it’s up to 70 percent effective, says Sundling. But it can have severe liver side effects, so if you’ve ever had liver disease, risk factors for liver disease, or are taking other medication that is processed through liver, like cholesterol medication, you can’t take it, she warns. Itraconazole is another oral medication for toenail fungus. It’s 50 percent effective, and you take it for three months, says Sundling.
• Nail Removal Sometimes completely removing the toenail is seen as a treatment option for toenail fungus, says Sundling. There are two ways to do it: Permanently, so it never grows back (and then you won’t have a toenail anymore), or you can let it grow back in. Sometimes it grows back in as a healthy nail, and sometimes it grows back with the fungus.
• Home Remedies There are people who swear by applying Vicks VapoRub, oregano oil, or tea tree oil to the toenail daily, says Sunding. However, these home remedies have never been proven by research to be successful at removing a fungal infection, she adds.
• Lasers There are laser treatments for toenail fungus, but they can be very expensive and insurance doesn’t cover them, says Sundling. More research is needed to know whether lasers can provide safe and effective treatment for most people, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, but the FDA has approved several laser devices for the treatment of toenail fungus.
• Ignoring It You don’t have to treat toenail fungus, as it’s mostly a cosmetic issue, says Sundling (though in some cases it can be painful). Some people put toenail polish on the affected nail and forget about it, she notes.

Foot Fungus: Causes and Risk Factors

A foot fungus is a fungal infection of the skin, better known as athlete’s foot, says Sundling. The fungus enters through cracks in the skin. It’s known as athlete’s foot because athletes or anyone who is more active and sweats a lot is more at risk. Kids are also more at risk, because they don’t tend to wear different shoes, and changing your shoes is one way to avoid foot fungus.

Foot fungus is very common. It does not mean that someone is dirty or didn’t bathe, and if you have a compromised immune system, you may be more susceptible, says Sundling.

Signs and Symptoms of Foot Fungus

Itchy skin is an early sign of foot fungus, or scaly, peeling skin, or tiny blisters on the skin that will pop at times, says Sundling. The skin tends to break out in the shape of a moccasin, or the area of the foot that a moccasin would cover. You don’t see foot fungus on the top of the foot very often. It’s common to get a fungal infection between the toes as well, she adds.

How to Prevent Both Foot and Toenail Fungus

While toenail fungus and foot fungus aren’t the same condition, the following tips can help you prevent both, says Sundling:

• Practice good hygiene, such as keeping your feet clean.
• Alternate your shoes during the week. Your feet sweat all day long. Alternating your shoes allows them to dry out, so the fungus can’t survive.
• Wear moisture-wicking socks that help dry out shoes and kill fungus. You can find these at running stores and athletic stores. If your socks are exceptionally sweaty, changing them more than once per day can help.
• Wear shoes in public places like locker rooms, pools, and gyms to limit exposure to fungus.
• Stay healthy to maintain a good immune system to fight off fungal infection.
• Wear shoes that fit well — most people wear shoes that are too tight and they don’t realize it.
• Use over-the-counter sprays or powders that help dry out shoes and kill fungus. 
• Keep your skin dry, and don’t forget to dry between the toes after bathing, exercising, or sweating. A lot of people don’t dry between the toes, so the skin stays wet, which can lead to infection.

Your Options for Treating Foot Fungus

To treat foot fungus, you have the following over-the-counter and prescription options:

• Use an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal cream. For most people the fungus should go away easily, and you might be able to self-treat, says Sundling. “I tell patients to buy the over-the-counter cream because it’s cheaper and it works just as well,” she says. If you have a very severe case, you can get antifungal creams with steroids mixed in — these are prescription only, she adds. See a podiatrist if you have a foot fungus that’s not going away, as it can spread to other parts of your body.
• Take oral medication. You can also take terbinafine (the same medication used for toenail fungus) for two weeks (as opposed to the three months it takes to treat a toenail infection with this medication). Doctors don’t often prescribe oral medication for a fungal infection of the skin unless it’s a really severe case, explains Sundling.

Toenail vs. Foot Fungus: A Summary

While foot fungus is fairly easy to treat, toenail fungus is incredibly difficult to eliminate, and in some cases it never goes away, says Sundling, noting that even the best oral medication is only up to 70 percent effective. However, if you’re patient and undergo the right course of treatment, you can have positive results. Moreover, keeping your feet dry and alternating your shoes will help you avoid getting a toenail or foot fungus to begin with.

Additional reporting by Jennifer D’Angelo Friedman.

Detached Fingernail or Toenail

A detached nail is when the nail becomes separated from the area underneath it (the nail bed). This often means losing all or part of the nail. An injury to your finger or toe is often the cause. It can also be caused by an infection or other skin diseases around or under the nail.

Sometimes there is a cut in the nail bed or a bone fracture under the nail. In most cases, the nail will grow back from the area under the cuticle (the matrix). A fingernail takes about 4 to 6 months to grow back. A toenail takes about 12 months to grow back. If the nail bed or matrix was damaged, the nail may grow back with a rough or abnormal shape. In some cases the nail may not grow back at all.

There may be damage or a cut to the nail bed. This may need to be repaired. Often this is done with stitches. If the nail is still in good condition, it might be cleaned and trimmed, then put back in place. This is done to help and protect the new nail as it grows back. It also prevents the nail bed from drying out.

Home care

• Keep the injured part raised to reduce pain and swelling. This is important, especially in the first 48 hours.

• Apply an ice pack for up to 20 minutes. Do this every 3 to 6 hours during the first 24 to 48 hours. Keep using ice packs to ease pain and swelling as needed. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a clean, thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin. The ice pack can be put right on a wrap, cast, or splint. As the ice melts, be careful not to get any wrap, cast, or splint wet.

• The nail bed is moist, soft, and sensitive. It needs to be protected from injury for the first 7 to 10 days until it dries out and becomes hard. Keep it covered with a nonstick dressing or a bandage without adhesive.

• When a dressing is placed on an exposed nail bed, it may stick and be hard to remove if left in place more than 24 hours. Unless you were told otherwise, change dressings every 24 hours. If needed, soak the dressing off while holding it under warm running water. Then lightly pat the wound dry. Apply a layer of antibiotic ointment before putting on the new dressing or bandage. This will help keep it from sticking. Use a nonstick dressing with the antibiotic ointment under the outer dressing.

• If an X-ray showed that you have a fracture, it will take about 4 weeks for this to heal. The injured part should be protected with a splint or tape while it is healing.

• If you were given antibiotics to prevent infection, take them as directed until they are all gone.

Medicine

• You can take over-the-counter medicine for pain, unless you were given a different pain medicine to use. Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease. Also talk with your provider if you ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding, or are taking blood-thinner medicines.

• If you were given antibiotics, take them until they are done. It’s important to finish the antibiotics even if the wound looks better. This is to make sure the infection has cleared.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised. If X-rays were taken, you will be told of any new findings that may affect your care.

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Pain or swelling increases

• Redness around the nail

• Pus (creamy white or yellow fluid) draining from the nail

• Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your provider

Causes of a Loose Toenail or Fingernail

Having a toenail or fingernail become loose can be a troubling symptom, especially because the cause is not always obvious. In most cases, the process of a nail separating from the underlying nail bed is gradual and only part of the nail is affected. However, in cases of trauma to a finger or toe, the entire nail can come loose rather quickly.

Nail Anatomy

The nail, also called the nail plate, is tightly bound to the underlying nail bed, which is the skin-colored area under the nail plate. The white half-moon shape at the base of the nail is known as the lunula. The lunula marks the area where the nail’s matrix begins.

The nail matrix is where the growth of the nail occurs. Any damage to the nail matrix, whether it’s trauma or infection, can cause a nail to separate from the nail bed and become loose.

Common Causes of Nail Loosening

The most common causes of nail loosening, known medically as onycholysis, are infection and trauma.

Fungal Infection

Nail infections are most often caused by a nail fungus and are known as onychomycosis. Onychomycosis is a common toenail infection but can also occur in fingernails, especially in people who work in occupations where their hands are overly exposed to water.

Onychomycosis toenail infection.

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Onychomycosis is slow-growing and can affect the nail in different ways, but the most common features are nail thickening, nail discoloration, debris under the nail, and nail loosening.

The area where the nail comes loose will often have a white appearance where it has separated from the underlying nail bed. Some fungal and bacterial nail infections produce a dark brown or greenish discoloration and may also cause nail loosening.

Trauma

The other common cause of nail loosening is trauma. One common scenario is an object dropped on the tip of the toe or finger. Sometimes blunt-force trauma to a nail causes excessive bleeding beneath the nail that causes enough pressure to loosen the nail—in some cases causing complete loss of the nail shortly after.

Because the bone at the tip of the toe or finger, known as the distal phalanx, is very close in proximity to the nail, blunt toe or finger trauma can sometimes cause a bone fracture.

It is best to seek medical care for nail trauma, especially if there is bleeding beneath the nail.

Shoewear

Another common scenario that causes a toenail to come loose is repeated trauma from shoewear. This is often associated with running, extended periods of walking or hiking, or any endurance sport and is sometimes referred to as black toenail.

In any case of trauma to a nail, the blood that builds up beneath the nail causes a red, purple, or black discoloration and is known as a subungual hematoma. Quite often, you will lose the nail as it grows out.

Repeated long-term rubbing of the toe against the tip of the shoe may result in the nail edge coming loose without any bleeding beneath the nail.

Nail edge coming loose.

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Other Causes of a Loose Nail

Additional causes include:

• Allergic reaction to manicure/pedicure products
• Psoriasis
• Photosensitizing reaction to a medication
• Hyperthyroidism
• Anemia

Psoriatic onycholysis.

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Onycholysis due to doxycycline (an antibiotic).

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Treatment

Seeing a podiatrist, dermatologist, or another medical provider for a loose toenail may involve diagnostic testing where appropriate, such as laboratory testing. The most common cause of a loose toenail is onychomycosis and treatment may entail debriding, or cutting away loose portions of the nail, and possibly anti-fungal medications.

Bacterial infections are usually more severe and progress more quickly than fungal infections.

Regardless of the cause of nail loosening, it’s best to seek medical care to decrease the chance of complications related to a bacterial infection.

Will the Nail Grow Back?

A common question people have when they lose a nail, or part of it, is whether the nail will grow back. The exposed nail bed will heal within a few weeks. The nail itself will grow back. However, it is a lengthy process that can take 12 to 18 months.

A further question is whether the new nail will grow back normal. Any time the nail’s matrix (growth center) is injured, whether it’s by trauma or inflammation due to infection, permanent changes to nail growth usually occur. The changes can be as subtle as a bumpy texture or thickening of the nail.

When to Seek Treatment for Toenail Trauma

If you stub your toe or drop something heavy on your feet, you may develop a subungual hematoma, which is blood trapped beneath the toenail. This gives the toenail a red, black, or purple discoloration. It is often called black toenail for that reason.

A subungual hematoma is usually caused by blunt trauma from a heavy object or chronic friction from rubbing against the shoe.  Acute trauma isn’t necessarily the cause. People who do a lot of walking or running are more prone to subungual hematomas because of increased shoe friction. Marathon runners and hikers are very familiar with this malady.

Verywell / Jessica Olah

Symptoms

A subungual hematoma can range from a small spot under the nail to a large area of discoloration. Depending on the amount of blood beneath the nail, the nail may come loose. But often the nail does stay intact, and the blood fades as the nail grows out.

If a subungual hematoma is large and causing pain, medical treatment may be needed to relieve pressure under the nail. If left untreated, the condition could damage the nail matrix, causing the nail to grow incorrectly or not at all.

When to See a Doctor

It’s time to go from self-care to seeing a medical professional if any of these six conditions apply in your case.

• Blunt trauma to the toenail, such as a heavy object dropped on the toe, which may need to have a fracture or wound treated
• Severe swelling, pain, or redness of the toe
• Discharge from under the toenail
• Toenail becomes loose
• If you have neuropathy, diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or any condition that affects healing or circulation
• Discoloration appears as a linear streak or a stripe going with the length of the nail. Although a streak of pigment is often normal, in some cases it may be a sign of the skin cancer melanoma.

If the nail is raised, the doctor may relieve the pressure by drilling a hole through the nail. If it is loose, the nail may be trimmed or even reattached to protect the nail bed while the nail is regrowing.

You should avoid removing or drilling the injured nail at home. Doing so could lead to infection and slow the healing process. If you are unable to seek immediate care, bandage the nail and avoid trimming or cutting of any sort.

Changes in Nail Structure

Nail trauma may not always lead to bleeding beneath the nail but to other predictable changes. These changes may occur due to chronic rubbing against the shoe or in response to irritation from a fungal or bacterial infection. Some of the most common changes are:

• Nail thickening: This is caused by damage to the nail’s growth center, called the nail matrix. It responds by producing a thicker nail.
• Nail dystrophy: You may see permanent nail changes such as splitting or a decrease in size.
• Nail avulsion: Sometimes the entire nail or a portion of it becomes loose or falls off. This is often a temporary condition and the nail will regrow over the course of a couple of months.
• Permanent nail loss: This can happen due to damage to the nail matrix. The toenail may not regrow.

90,000 Onycholysis: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Onycholysis of nails is a dystrophic lesion of the nail plate, manifested in its separation from the bed with partial or complete preservation of the usual shape. Pathology with the same frequency develops on the fingers or toes. About 60% of detected cases of the disease become the consequences of trauma, up to 30% are formed under the influence of dermatomycosis. The remaining 10% are somatic diseases, dermatoses or pyoderma.The disease can develop in a person at any age; women are diagnosed more often than men. In case of traumatic damage to the nail, the pathology does not cause significant discomfort to the wearer, the treatment is carried out for aesthetic reasons.

Reasons for development

Dermatologists distinguish three groups of reasons for the development of the disease:

• injuries;
• mycoses;
• allergies.

The mechanism of development of onycholysis on the fingers is determined by the root cause of the pathology.

Traumatic injuries to the hands or feet affect the nails and nail bed. A subungual hematoma is formed between them, the vessels in the upper layers of the dermis are compressed, which leads to a malnutrition of the nail, a change in its chemical composition and loss of elasticity. The plate is deformed, the connection between it and the bed weakens. Delamination occurs from the free edge. Loss of adherence increases the risk of infection and inflammation. The nail root does not lose its connection with the matrix.After resorption of the hematoma, the plate grows in the same mode.

Infectious onycholysis on the hands or feet occurs due to inflammation. The process includes three stages:

• alteration – pathological damage to the dermis, cells of the immune system produce cytokines and inflammatory mediators;
• exudation – a violation of the water-electrolyte balance in the tissues, swelling of the nail, the development of pathogenic microflora on the bed;
• proliferation – the development of hyperkeratosis of the nail bed with its subsequent deformation.

Normal growth of the nail plate begins after the complete relief of the inflammatory process. Complicated onycholysis of nails on the hands or feet will require the patient not only to follow all medical prescriptions of the dermatologist, but also to follow the diet.

The allergic variant of the pathology develops according to a scenario similar to the inflammatory scenario. In the exudation stage, an excess amount of antibodies to pathogenic microflora is produced. This leads to an increase in the sensitivity of the skin, intensification of the processes of deformation of the nail plate and the adjacent dermis.The regeneration process slows down significantly.

Views

Dermatologists distinguish several main types of pathology based on the clinical picture of the disease and the cause of the damage to the patient’s nail plates. The most common types of onycholysis are:

• traumatic;
• dermatological;
• endocrine;
• systemic;
• fungal;
• bacterial;
• allergic.

Traumatic nail injuries occur after injuries or burns to the patient’s tissues. The likely causes are splinters, excessive physical influences, the influence of poisonous or toxic substances. Toes can be hurt when wearing tight or poorly ventilated shoes.

The dermatological type of pathology develops under the influence of dermatoses, leading to disturbances in the processes of cellular nutrition in the affected area. Endocrine onycholysis is the result of humoral disorders in the human body or chronic disorders of the endocrine glands.

Systemic onycholysis is caused by diseases of the human digestive tract and subsequent metabolic disorders. The condition of the patient’s tissues improves significantly after the elimination of the disease, the root cause of the separation of the nails from the bed.

The fungal type of pathology is formed after the formation of colonies of microfungi in the subungual space. The subsequent change in the nail bed almost does not affect the nail itself, which remains unchanged.The disease develops as a result of prolonged mycotic infection.

The bacterial course of onycholysis is the result of the addition of a secondary infection in any type of pathology. Allergic lesions of nail tissue develop against the background of the patient taking medications, contact with chemicals or directed ultraviolet radiation.

Symptoms on hands and feet

The clinical picture of the disease is the same for all types of pathology: the nail plate is separated from the bed from the free edge in the distal or lateral sections to the nail hole.The color of the plate changes from flesh to gray-white due to the ingress of air into the subungual gap. With the development of pathogenic microflora in the formed free space, further color change is possible: yellow becomes the result of bacterial infections, brown – the formation of a colony of micro-fungi, green – lesions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bacterial infections affect the structure and strength of the nail plate. The surface of the nails loses its shine, becomes rough and gradually deforms.The subungual space is filled with dirt and keratin. This leads to the development of hyperkeratosis, characterized by an unpleasant odor. With advanced stages of pathology, a focus of secondary inflammation may develop. Detachment of a part of the nail is called partial onycholysis, the entire plate is called total.

Seeing a doctor

Finding the first symptoms of onycholysis is a good reason for a visit to the clinic. Any stage of the disease requires consultation with a dermatologist. During the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, the patient may need the opinions of other specialists: endocrinologist, surgeon, therapist.

Ignoring the symptoms of pathology can lead to multiple damage to the nail plates on the hands and feet of the patient, the formation of numerous foci of infection and damage to other tissues and body systems.

Do you have symptoms of onycholysis?

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease.
Do not delay the consultation – call

+7 (495) 775-73-60

Diagnostics on legs and arms

The diagnosis is made during a visual examination of the patient by a dermatologist.The development of onycholysis is preceded by damage to the nail plates by Bo lines, which appear against the background of damage to the nail matrix. This sign indicates systematic injuries or the presence of somatic pathologies.

Obtaining scrapings from damaged tissues for laboratory research and exclusion of mycotic lesions of the nail and nail bed becomes an obligatory stage of clinical tests. Differential diagnosis of onycholysis is carried out with mycoses, psoriasis, lichen planus, Bowen’s disease and onychodystrophies of unknown etiology.

Different types of onycholysis on the fingers or toes will require in-depth analyzes to establish the causes of the development of pathology with a multiple clinical picture. The reason for this is the variety of colors of the nail plates, visible differences in their structure, transparency, area of ​​hyperkeratotic layering.

Treatment of nail onycholysis

Pathology requires complex therapy. The key task is to treat the underlying disease, against the background of which nail onycholysis develops.An allergic type of damage to the nail plate requires the patient to consult with a nutritionist or gastroenterologist to correct the digestive system through diet. Eliminating the imbalance of minerals and vitamins will reduce the likelihood of further progress of onycholysis.

The traumatic type of pathology involves daily removal of the growing tissue of the exfoliated area, followed by disinfection of the subungual space and protection of the bed with an antibacterial plaster.

Large-area detachments are treated with surgery. After removing the nail plate, antibacterial and antiseptic dressings are applied to the bed. The operation allows surgeons to remove hyperkeratotic layers, dirt and the consequences of the development of hematomas. Restoration of the nail is carried out using gelatinous solutions of various concentrations.

Bacterial and mycotic lesions of the nail are treated with alcohol solutions of aniline paints, antibacterial and antifungal drugs.

Appointment

You can make an appointment with the specialists of Medicina JSC (Academician Roitberg’s clinic) on the website – an interactive form allows you to choose a doctor by specialization or search for an employee of any department by name and surname. Each doctor’s schedule contains information about visiting days and hours available for patient visits.

Clinic administrators are ready to accept an application for an appointment or call a doctor at home by phone +7 (495) 775-73-60.

Convenient location on the territory of the central administrative district of Moscow (CAO) – 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskaya lane, 10 – allows you to quickly get to the clinic from the metro stations “Mayakovskaya”, “Novoslobodskaya”, “Tverskaya”, “Chekhovskaya” and “Belorusskaya” . ..

Torment at the corners of the nails – Archive

“This pathology occurs in a large number of patients and mainly affects the big toes,” says the doctor.- The nail plate grows into the lateral part of the nail fold. At the beginning, the problem is signaled by the appearance of pain at the site of the ingrown toenail while walking, especially in tight shoes. Then redness and swelling of the nail fold occurs, and if the treatment was not started in a timely manner, the formation and discharge of pus from under the nail plate, thickening of the nail fold, and blood appears ”.

When independence hurts

In an attempt to solve the problem on their own, patients mistakenly try to trim the ingrown nail even shorter, exacerbating an already serious situation.In this case, there is always the opportunity to bring an additional infection into the inflammation focus. The consequences are quite dangerous complications – from excessive growth of tissue inflammation, the so-called wild meat, and the appearance of necrotic zones to inflammation of the bone tissue of the phalanx and gangrene of the thumb.

There are several reasons for the ingrown toenail:

• incorrect, too deep cutting of nails,

• wearing narrow shoes, especially in combination with high heels, which causes strong pressure of the nail plate on the nail roller,

• congenital predisposition, with which is overgrowth of soft tissues,

• flat feet,

• various fungal diseases of the nails,

• inflammatory diseases,

• finger injury.

Before going to the doctor

If the scale of the problem is small, the inflammation is not very pronounced, and there is almost no pain, then home measures can also help. Although you need to prepare for the fact that such a treatment will take a lot of time and will require perseverance and consistency.

First, you need to give up uncomfortable shoes and wear only those in which there is no pressure on the sore nail at all.

Secondly, you need to cut your nails correctly: the free edge of the nail should have an almost square shape with slightly (!) Smoothed edges.Ideally, the corner of the nail should be allowed to grow outside the nail fold, which takes one to two months. In this case, the corner of the nail must be slightly raised, placing a small piece of a sterile napkin or dressing under it.

Thirdly, you need to do salt baths for your feet every day to relieve pain, swelling, prevent or reduce inflammation. If an infection has already taken place, then after the baths, apply the antibacterial ointment recommended by the doctor.

If the ingrown toenail still bothers you, you need to seek help from a doctor. Medicine offers several ways to solve the problem.

Operation: scalpel or laser?

Until recently, the most radical and effective way to treat an ingrown toenail was surgery. It consists – with slight ingrowth – in the removal of either part of the soft tissue, or the ingrown part of the nail plate. Some time after removal, a new nail plate of the correct shape grows back.

When pus is released from under the nail or severe deformation of the nail plate, it is completely removed. Often in the course of such an operation, the growth zone of the nail is damaged, and the re-growing nail may be of an irregular shape. Unfortunately, more than half of the cases of surgical treatment end in recurrence of the problem.

Ingrown nail (onychocryptosis) in children. Causes, symptoms, treatment.

Sometimes a disease such as onychocryptosis occurs in children. This term refers to an ingrown nail in a child, which occurs due to the pathology of the growth of the nail plate.

Causes and symptoms

There are several reasons why a child’s nail grows in:

• genetic factor (very rare), in which the nail grows in width, cutting into the skin of the nail fold. Other variants of congenital pathology are a thickened nail fold, curvature of the nail plate. With all these pathologies, removal is necessary;
• improper care, when the child’s nails are cut round, and the free lateral corners are cut into the skin;
• Incorrectly fitted shoes – not the right size or with a pointed toe.In this case, the edges of the nails tuck, deform and grow in;
• diseases – fungal infections of nails, vitamin deficiency, rickets;
• injuries;
• foot disorders – clubfoot or flat feet.

Most often, an ingrown toenail occurs on the big toe. he is most exposed to mechanical irritation and friction, injuries. But fingernails can also grow in.

Regardless of the location or cause, the mechanism of an ingrown toenail is the same: children’s nails gradually begin to cut into the skin.Symptoms appear: first, pain, which becomes more and more intense. Then there is swelling and redness. Subsequently, the inflammatory process develops: ulcers with purulent discharge are formed. In response to thumb inflammation, an overgrowth of granulation tissue called “wild meat” occurs.

Treatment

An ingrown nail in a child was previously treated only surgically: removal was performed. This method of treatment was found to be ineffective, because after it very often there can be a relapse, or re-ingrowth, when the nails on the thumb begin to grow back.Removal entails a long recovery period, which is also a disadvantage. Therefore, now it is used only for congenital pathologies or traumatic injuries.

Modern surgical treatment is carried out in a gentle way and is reduced to the careful removal of the edge of an ingrown nail. A defect in the nail fold is closed with a skin flap taken from the pad of the same finger. Complete healing occurs on the 15-20th day. The operation for children under 10 years old is performed under general anesthesia, over 10 years old – under local anesthesia.

Treatment of an ingrown toenail can also be carried out with a laser. In this case, the removal, or evaporation, of the nail plate and the roller also occurs, only with a carbon dioxide laser. In this case, the laser beam “welds” the vessels, thus avoiding blood loss. Also, if you treat an ingrown nail with a laser, the recovery period is shortened. Other advantages of this type of treatment are: low injuries, few relapses, painlessness.

Another gentle method is radio wave treatment, in which the effect is also low-traumatic and painless.The recovery period lasts 3-4 days.

For an uncomplicated ingrown toenail, the doctor may try to treat the child with corrective braces or plates. They are installed on the ingrown nail for a long time. The effect is due to the fact that these devices raise the nails, thereby preventing further ingrowth. As a result, inflammation, swelling, pain is relieved, and the nails take on their original shape. The use of these structures for children is possible from the age of 5.

In the presence of inflammation and pus, it is necessary to treat the child with antibacterial agents.

90,000 how to deal with it – Nail Professional

Probably, every person has come across blackening of the nail either on the toe or on the hand. It is quite difficult to remove this flaw, so most girls / women hide darkening under a manicure using opaque varnishes. This feature is a signal of health problems. From the article you will learn in detail why your nails can turn black, as well as how to get rid of this trouble.

Reasons

The most common factor that causes blackening of the nail is the usual hemorrhage under the plate.This could be due to injury or normal shock. Vessels under the nail can burst from overly uncomfortable shoes. Therefore, you may not notice how it happened.

If the blackening of the nail happened because of this, do not worry. You are absolutely not in danger. The only thing that is possible is that the old nail color may not be restored. The blackness will disappear after a healthy plate grows back.

Blackening of the toenail due to trauma is fairly easy to define. Darkening is located in one place (blurred edges are possible), while maintaining a clear outline.Over time, the stain may darken more, the borders will be more distinct, and the size will gradually decrease. This phenomenon is sometimes accompanied by the separation of the nail from the bed, followed by delamination.

Often, darkening of nails can be caused by the use of cheap varnishes without using a protective base. Inexpensive varnish coatings contain aggressive components that are firmly capable of eating into the plate. In this case, in order to get rid of darkening, you have to wait for the restoration of a healthy nail plate.

Internal causes of darkening of nails

The main intrinsic factor in toenail darkening is fungus. This disease is called melanonychia. The risk category is mainly pregnant girls, children and adolescents. In general, everyone with weak immunity.

If you observe that the blackening does not go away even after the restoration of a healthy plate, immediately consult a doctor. The disease is highly contagious and difficult to treat. Therefore, you should not try to solve the problem yourself – you need to immediately go to the hospital.Self-medication will not help here.

Another common cause is a benign tumor. In this case, blood vessels overgrow, and the nail appears blackened. This phenomenon causes severe pain syndromes, and only a specialized doctor can help solve the problem.

The third reason for blackening of nails is frequent somatic diseases of internal organs. Especially often nails turn black in diseases of the cardiovascular system or kidneys. More rarely, this phenomenon can signal an infection or the presence of diabetes mellitus.

How to deal with darkening of nails

If this trouble is caused by an injury, you need to get rid of it in the same way as with a normal hematoma. It is enough to follow simple instructions, and the nail will grow much faster, and the hematoma will be removed. As a result, the plates will return to their previous state in a relatively short time.

See also: What to do if the nail on the big toe turns black

What needs to be done:

1. After injury, immediately place your finger in something cold, such as water or a bowl of ice.The cold works favorably to ensure that the hematoma disappears, and also prevents it from recurring.
2. Further, if blackness reappears, carry out the procedure with cold up to 3-4 times a day in order to speed up the restoration of the nail.
3. Spray your finger with disinfectant to eliminate the possibility of bacteria that can lead to infection.
4. If the blackening was caused by a very severe trauma, the hematoma itself can also be very large.In this case, you will need to open it. It is not worth doing this on your own – it hurts, it is difficult and threatens with various negative consequences. In this case, seek medical attention.

If you are sure that fungus is the cause of blackened nails, contact your doctor immediately. Before going to the hospital, you need to properly prepare so that the fungus does not spread and you do not infect others.

Basically, these measures are reduced to usual personal hygiene and rules of conduct in public places:

• Change your socks frequently;
• always wear indoor slippers in solariums, saunas and swimming pools;
• do not let anyone wear your shoes;
• you shouldn’t walk barefoot even at home;
• observe that the skin of the legs is always dry;
• do not use the same nail scissors on affected and healthy nails;
• process the nail plates twice a day.

Summing up, you probably figured out that if a nail on your toe or hand turns black, it is not so easy to establish the final cause. If, in fact, there was an injury, this is wherever it goes. However, fungus and diseases of internal organs require immediate medical attention. Such troubles are not easy to cure on your own. This approach can only do harm.

Doctors believe that blackening of nails is most often caused by simple injuries in everyday life, the appearance of which you may not even notice.Therefore, in most cases, all kinds of worries can be in vain.

90,000 Treatment of nail fungus. What will your nails look like after the procedure?

Treatment of nail fungus takes at least six months, and this is subject to correctly prescribed therapy. Many, especially on the eve of the summer period, are worried about the question – how quickly will the nails return to their previous healthy appearance? What will they look like immediately after starting treatment? And in a month or two?

In addition, whether the treatment is effective or not can also be determined by the appearance of the nails.Let’s look at what you need to pay attention to in the appearance of nails after treating a fungus.

Why is nail fungus difficult to treat

Onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail plate) in all people is very difficult to treat. There are three reasons for this:

1. The microbe enters the nail bed and not all local preparations can reach it. Moreover, most of the fungi provide themselves with “protection”, in the form of a thickening of the nail plate.
2. In most cases, onychomycosis is accompanied by a fungal infection of the foot.And only a person cures his nails, the fungus again enters the nail bed from the skin of the foot.
3. Re-infection also occurs through their own socks, shoes, as well as when bathing in a bath / shower.

Classic treatments for onychomycosis

Currently, medicine uses three main approaches to the treatment of nail fungus:

• Systemic preparations in the form of tablets or capsules. They can help, but for this they need to be taken in a long course – from 4 to 18 months.All these medications are toxic to the liver, and their intake can be complicated by the development of diarrhea, skin rash, and changes in taste. Therefore, during treatment, you must strictly follow a therapeutic diet, refuse to take alcohol and periodically take blood tests – “liver function tests”.
• Local remedies (creams, varnishes). They do not always penetrate well through the nail plate. Therefore, it must be prepared in advance: cut off the overgrown nail masses with nippers or remove with a cutter. You cannot do this on your own: you can damage those cells that give rise to the nail plate.
• Combination therapy: simultaneous administration of a systemic drug and application of a local antifungal agent to the affected nail. It is used in severe cases to slightly minimize the severity of side effects from systemic drugs. The effectiveness of such treatment is also not very high.

In some cases, dermatologists remove the affected nail plate before prescribing topical treatment. Now they are trying to do this less and less, limiting themselves only to cutting the affected area – in order to avoid infection of the nail bed with bacteria.

It would seem that it is possible not to treat onychomycosis, but in fact it represents something more than an aesthetic defect. It can lead to a severe mixed (fungal and bacterial) infection of the foot or hand, which can even lead to gangrene.

How nails look after fungus treatment

In the first 2-3 months from the start of using local preparations, the nail plate will not change noticeably. The fungi that remain in the subungual space continue to multiply, and thickenings or, conversely, thinning are again formed on the nail. The growing plate retains its pathological color for some time: yellow, milky white, black or brown. It can be all the same scaly, ribbed or curved. There may be chips on it, or an area where it departs from its bed.

When treated with tablets, pathological changes in the growing nail plate can be observed for less than two months. Then the area of ​​the nail closest to the hole after the treatment of the fungus should take on a healthy look:

• become smooth;
• change the color to pinkish or reddish, uniform in color;
• to acquire normal thickness.If the nail grows back after removing the entire nail plate, it has the right to be slightly thinner. This is also an indicator of his health.

If, despite the treatment, after 2-3 months the nails remain discolored, thick or smooth, then the therapy must be revised.

How quickly the whole nail becomes healthy

It depends on the growth rate of the nail plates. Affected by:

• age: the younger the person, the greater the speed;
• the nature of the diet: insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals reduces the growth rate of the nail;
• ambient temperature: nails grow faster in warm climates;
• frequency of nail injuries: they slow down the growth of the plate;
• the state of the hormonal background: for example, during pregnancy, the growth rate of the plate increases;
• the presence of common chronic diseases: they make the growth of the nail slower;
• taking drugs that affect the rate of cell division.

On average, a healthy nail after treatment of the fungus grows back on the hands in 6 months, on the legs – in 12-18 months. Nails on the thumbs and hands and feet grow more slowly than others. So, if the nail plates on 2-5 fingers of the lower extremities grow at a rate of 1 mm / month, then on the first finger this rate is up to 0. 7 mm / month.

How can the treatment of onychomycosis be accelerated

In order for nails to grow back faster after treatment of the fungus, laser therapy can be used.It involves the treatment of the nail plate with the PinPointe apparatus, a neodymium laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm. Its radiation freely penetrates into the nail bed and there heats the fungal cells to high temperatures, as a result of which they die. In addition, the heat of the laser activates blood circulation in the nail bed, which accelerates the growth of a healthy nail plate.

PinPointe Laser is used in conjunction with local therapy. After a laser treatment session, the patient should apply the recommended cream or varnish to the nails, and also carefully treat the shoes with an antiseptic to avoid re-infection.

The effectiveness of the treatment of onychomycosis with the PinPointe neodymium laser has been tested by several foreign multicenter studies. It is an excellent adjunct to local treatment, with a short duration of the procedure and no side effects.

Thus, a healthy nail plate should begin to grow in the first months from the start of treatment. It may be slightly thinner than usual, but have a uniform pinkish color and smoothness. The healing process is reliably accelerated when treating the affected plates with the PinPointe neodymium laser.

90,000 If you remove the nail – when it grows

According to statistics, almost every person is faced with diseases and injuries of the nails. Many people ask the question: if you remove the nail, will it grow?

The answer depends on each individual case:

• Reason for the operation;
• The complexity of the surgical intervention;
• Patient’s age, lifestyle, nutrition;
• Time of the year;
• Presence or absence of inflammation;
• Correct care and treatment;
• Skin regeneration rate;
• Features of the patient’s immune system.

First of all, you should figure out what was the reason for the resection of the nail plate. If removal was required as a result of injury, then it is highly likely that immediately after the healing of the skin, the stratum corneum will begin to regenerate. If you follow the doctor’s recommendations and ensure the rest of the affected finger, there is a chance that a healthy nail will grow in 6-12 months.

Sometimes detachment of the nail , requiring further removal, occurs as a result of allergies, local inflammation, fungal infection or infection.Also, problems are possible in seriously ill people with a chronic decrease in immunity. In this case, the first step is to eliminate the reason for the operation. It is required to fence yourself off from allergens, to completely cure the fungal disease. Otherwise, the growing nail may be crooked and weak.

Observations show that in children and young people, the processes of cell renewal in the body are faster than in the older generation. This suggests that a child’s removed nail will grow much faster than that of his adult relative.

The season is also not unimportant. It is known that in summer and early autumn, the human body has more resources for growth and development. In winter and early spring, on the contrary, all the energy is directed towards maintaining immunity and fighting seasonal diseases. This suggests that a nail removed in winter will grow much longer than its “brother in misfortune” removed in summer.

The method by which the nail was removed is important. As well as the competence of the specialist who carried out the work. It is believed that surgery performed with a laser or radio waves is less painful than traditional abdominal surgery.The complexity of the operation affects the speed of healing and the quality of the growing nail.

It is known that fingernails grow faster than toenails. Therefore, if we compare the growth rate of the stratum corneum, in millimeters, then of course the rate of regrowth on the hands will be higher. Another question is that the surface area of ​​the toenails is less, so if the nails on the hand and on the toe are removed at the same time (which should not be done for no reason), complete healing and regrowth will happen earlier on the leg.

Also, the rate of regrowth of the nail on the working (most of the right) limb is higher. But, since the right hand is in motion for more time, this contradicts the principle of maintaining rest, regrowth may slow down.

The speed and quality of the growing nail depends on the correct care. At first, it is important to ensure complete rest of the finger. Avoid moisture and dirt. Use a wound healing agent and dress it daily. The bandage should not press and interfere with blood flow.During the healing period, it is important to provide the patient with adequate nutrition, rich in vitamins and microelements. It is recommended to add foods rich in gelatin, jellied meat, aspic, jelly and various puddings.

It is necessary to inspect the growing nail. Often, people who have removed the stratum corneum are faced with the problem of an ingrown toenail. In order to set the nail in the correct direction of growth, it is recommended to visit a specialist. He can put a special bracket.

How long does the nail grow back after removal?

The answer to this question is ambiguous.It all depends on the above factors. In children under 7 years old, a new marigold can grow in 2-4 months. In adults, the process takes longer. Regrowth can take from six months to a year. Moreover, at first, due to injury to the bed, the nail may grow unevenly.

Accelerating the regrowth of the nail will help the intake of vitamin-mineral complexes, which include B vitamins. When touching the finger stops causing pain, it is recommended to rub a nourishing cream or oil into the cuticle.

A person who at least once faced the problem of removing a nail knows how much discomfort and trouble healing is. With timely solution of the problem and proper care, in more than 90% of cases, if the nail is removed, it will grow. The main thing is to take care of yourself and not allow the problem to recur in the future.

We recommend you visit our Forum of masters of manicure , where you can ask your questions or talk about interesting topics!

How to heal and prevent

In a black-black city, on a black-black street, there lived a black-black man, and he had … a black-black nail! This is how a children’s horror story could sound, but often for runners it becomes not a fairy tale, but a reality.

Black nail is a familiar problem for many marathon runners. Let’s look at the causes of blackening of nails in runners and methods of treatment and prevention.

At what distances does the problem occur

Most marathon runners, ultramarathon runners and trail runners are familiar with the situation when, after a long and intense training, one of the nails (or not one) begins to hurt, as if from a bruise, and takes on shades from purple to black.

This is due to the occurrence of a hematoma under the nail plate.And if male runners are usually conniving about this problem, then for girls it can be a disaster. After all, a blackened nail in most cases retains its shade for a month, or even two – before falling off and making room for a new nail, at first short and ugly. And the process of restoring the original appearance of nails can take up to six months.

Causes of blackening of toenails

If we are talking about running, then a black nail can appear for two reasons: cyclic shock loads on the nail plate for a long time or a single drop of a load on the leg, a strong impact on any obstacle.

In fact, the first reason is similar to the second, only we are talking about a more extended in time impact. That is, with each step, a microtrauma occurs, over time they accumulate and lead to the appearance of a hematoma.

So what can cause nail injury?

• One of the main reasons is the incorrectly chosen sneakers: the size of the size or even those that are small. When buying, novice runners do not take into account that in the process of passing the distance, the leg swells and increases in size.As a result, seemingly comfortable sneakers become tight and knock down nails.

Even if the shoe is loose enough, it is necessary to take into account the movement of the foot inside and choose models where the foot will not “slip” and the toes will not rest on the front wall of the shoe. Also, therefore, you should not buy sneakers three sizes larger, hoping that this will save your nails.

• Raised fingers or, conversely, tucked down, can also cause constant stress on the nail plate and the occurrence of hematomas.
• In addition, black nails can appear due to improper running technique (especially on descents), when the foot “sticks” into the surface rather than softly landing on the metatarsus. And if the slopes on the asphalt are usually quite sloping, then the trail starts are distinguished by steep hills and no less steep descents.

Another trail problem is caused by roots, sticks, pits, stones, which the foot hits in one way or another. Especially if you do not have enough experience and proven running technique.

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As for the ultra trail, these races create a long and intense load on the nail plate. Therefore, it is almost impossible to keep all your nails intact, says Elena Nechaeva, an ultra-marathon runner, winner of the largest Russian trails. You can only minimize the damage due to the successful choice of sneakers.

How to avoid the appearance of black nails

What can you do to maintain normal color of your nails? The easiest and most effective option is not to run at all, but we will not consider it 🙂

The main thing to do is to choose a loose (at least half a size more) pair of sneakers with a sufficiently soft top and a suitable width.That is, there should be a distance between the longest toe and the edge of the shoe, none of the fingers should rest.

After you put on your shoes, spread your fingers, wiggle them, check that it is not cramped. But at the same time, the sneaker should not be held exclusively on the lacing, and the leg should dangle in it.

Be sure to test your shoes before starting: use the sneakers for at least a month in training in conditions similar to those of the race.

It is worth constantly improving your running technique and practicing descents.

Nails should be cut short – and not in a semicircle, but in a straight line, and this should be done so that the nail plate does not protrude beyond the edge of the finger anywhere.

Some athletes believe that applying gel polish before a race will strengthen the nail plate and reduce the risk of bruising. However, this method may only work for those with thin and soft nails. If they are already dense and stiff, applying an additional layer will make the nail less flexible and elastic and can lead to fractures and injuries of the plate.

Another option is to cover your nails with a plaster. It is usually used on the thumbs and second toes. Some ultra-runners believe that this reduces the risk of bruising.

Use socks that wick moisture away and keep feet dry. This will make your legs less vulnerable.

Individual insoles will help to change the position of the toes in the sneakers. Therefore, find a good podiatrist and make insoles for you.

Can I run with a blackened nail

What to do if the nail is blackened after all? With a nail change taking up to six months, most runners don’t even have a question about whether to continue training.Of course continue!

If you follow the rules of hygiene, it will not go further than hematoma and nail change. Yes, and a six-month break in training for most athletes is simply unthinkable – it’s like starting to train anew, from scratch.

Let’s figure out what to do so that you can train painlessly and restore nail aesthetics as quickly as possible.

Read on: 5 most common running injuries: causes and prevention

How to treat black nails

If you felt that something was wrong with the nail while on the track, you should not carry out any procedures with it.The furnishings are far from sterile, and there is an option to bring dirt into the wound. If possible, cover the affected nail with a plaster and run to the finish line.

Some long-distance runners still pierce the bubble formed under the nail and release fluid from there, explaining this by pain and inability to move on.

Indeed, after a puncture, the pressure on the nail plate, and hence the pain, weakens, and you can continue the race. But let’s be honest: this is done at your own peril and risk.And whether it is worth exposing yourself to the danger of bacteria getting into the wound is a big question.

We advise you to refrain from independent “surgical” interventions both during and after the race. It will be ideal if the doctor does this procedure. Then the risk of bacteria getting into the wound is minimized.

If you decide to do everything yourself, the puncture must be done only with a sterile needle, and then release the liquid, treat the affected area with an antiseptic and let it dry.After that, trim the nail as short as possible, and it is better to go to workouts by gluing it with a plaster.

During the healing period, pay special attention to the hygiene of your feet: wash them regularly with soap and at least once a month do a pedicure. But at the same time, girls should not paint over their nails with varnish: this will improve its appearance, but will not allow breathing.

Gradually, a new one will form under the blackened nail, and the affected nail plate will begin to flake off. Do not pull it, try to tear it off ahead of time.On the contrary, it is better to fix a dangling nail with a plaster. All this will help to avoid inflammation and suppuration.

Vitamins to accelerate nail growth

To accelerate recovery, you can use protective and restorative agents, for example, sprays, creams, oils with vitamins (A, E, D, B), zinc, selenium, calcium and magnesium.

Include in the diet foods rich in macro- and micronutrients:

• selenium: fish, meat, rye bread;
• zinc: buckwheat and barley groats, oats, wheat, meat, beef liver, dairy products, pine nuts, peanuts;
• calcium: dairy products, cheeses, nuts, legumes, dark green vegetables;
• magnesium: buckwheat, greens, dried apricots;
• sulfur: turkey, chicken, rabbit, sea bass, flounder, sardine.

The growth rate of the nail can also be increased by massaging the growth zone.

What can a neglected black nail threaten

For experienced long distance runners, broken nails are common. According to Elena Nechaeva, in the last year and a half, after each start, she has one or two blackened nails. “I rub my little finger with wet socks, clay or sand gets into my sneakers. As a result, there is no legroom and the nails get lost, ”she explains.

Therefore, many experienced runners do not even pay attention to the next blackened nail.At the same time, neglect of such a “minor” problem can lead to unpleasant consequences. Ingress of moisture and dirt into the wound can provoke the growth of bacteria and suppuration. In addition, the likelihood of picking up a fungus increases, which is already much more difficult to treat.

If the pain persists for a long time, and the process of regrowth of a new nail is delayed, you should consult a podiatrist. There is a high probability that the new nail plate will not grow properly and will be deformed.And in this case, only cosmetic surgery can restore the original appearance of the nail.