Case Report and Literature Review

Eplasty. 2014; 14: e25.

Published online 2014 Jul 9.

, BS,^a, MD, FACS,^b and , MD, FACS^c

Ashley Marie Mefford

^aUniversity of Louisville School of Medicine

Morton L. Kasdan

^bRobley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Bradon Wilhelmi

^cDivision of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Ky.

^aUniversity of Louisville School of Medicine

^bRobley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine

^cDivision of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Ky.

Corresponding author.

This is an open-access article whereby the authors retain copyright of the work. The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Objective: We present a case of thumbnail regrowth and photo-documentation after a complete surgical avulsion and nail bed biopsy. Methods: A complete surgical avulsion of the right thumbnail was performed and the regrowth was photo-documented. Results: Complete regrowth was achieved by 33 weeks after avulsion, and the photos were compiled into a time-lapse video. Conclusions: The established literature indicates that rate of nail growth is multifactorial. One variable that may contribute to rate of growth is the status of the nail itself, intact or avulsed. The growth rate of the thumbnail in our patient is comparable to the growth rates documented for intact nails. The literature on this subject is reviewed.

Keywords: avulsion, growth rate, regrowth, thumbnail, time-lapse video

Human fingernails are an important piece of digit anatomy. They are thought of as cosmetic. They contribute to the function of the digit through tactile sensation, thermoregulation, and protection.^1,2 Their functional importance and superficial location have made them a subject of study and publication for more than 100 years. While several papers have discussed the growth of nails and the influencing factors, relatively few discuss the regrowth of nails after surgical avulsion. One study by Lai et al reports on the outcomes of 33 nail avulsion procedures in subjects 27 to 86 years of age.³ The reported time to full regrowth ranged from 5 to 10 months, including fingernails and toenails. In this report, we contribute a 9-month photo record of the regrowth of a thumbnail following a surgical avulsion.

METHODS/CASE PRESENTATION

The case we present is that of a 76-year-old, nonsmoking man. The patient was a surgeon whose hobbies included woodworking. A nail deformity developed in his right thumbnail. The deformity was a tender, dark-yellow, longitudinal strip reaching the entire length of the nail bed. A complete nail avulsion and nail bed biopsy were completed on March 26, 2013.

RESULTS

After the procedure, the original nail was curetted, irrigated, and replaced. The nail remained in place for 10 days before falling off. Naftifine 2% cream was applied twice a day for 33 weeks. The nail required 33 weeks to regrow a length of 18 mm. The regrowth of the nail was photo-documented and compiled into a time-progression video viewable by following the link below.

DISCUSSION

Nail avulsion is a common procedure indicated for both diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. It provides the surgeon access to the nail bed and the deeper germinal matrix, if a biopsy of either tissue is indicated. It is a treatment option with the most common indications being ingrown toenails, chronic onychomycosis, periungual warts, trauma, infections, and tumors. Avulsions can also occur as a result of injury rather than intention. In such cases, the degree and type of damage are the major factors that determine how the nail regrows. If the germinal matrix (which creates 90% of the nail plate) is damaged, then nail deformities are likely to occur.^5–7 In a surgical avulsion, the germinal matrix and nail bed are left largely intact in order for the nail plate to regrow. To further avoid defect, the original nail or a prosthetic is positioned over the nail bed to inhibit synechial scarring of the ventral to dorsal germinal matrices and to protect the nail bed from infection.^8–10

In the literature, nail regrowth has been documented under various circumstances. Following surgical avulsion, the combined range of regrowth for both fingernails and toenails has been observed at 5 to 10 months.³ Elsewhere it is estimated that surgically avulsed fingernails in the average adult will completely regrow in 4 to 5 months, whereas toenails require twice as long, 10 to 18 months. ^4,11 More precise rates of growth have been recorded in nonavulsed, healthy nails. One of the earliest studies reported growth rates of 0.094 to 0.124 mm/day, some variability explained by nutritional status.¹² Another study on nail growth by Hamilton et. al recorded a range of growth rates 0.050 to 0.150 mm/day and found a significant difference between the growth rates of different fingers.¹³ Multiple other studies have reported growth rates since then with similar results.^14–16

No study to date has compared normal nail growth rates with postavulsion growth rates. In our case, the patient’s nail length regrew in approximately 33 weeks. The thumbnail length was 18 mm from the eponychium to the hyponychium. Therefore, the regrowth rate could be roughly approximated at 0.078 mm/day. A similar range of growth rates has been reported in nonavulsed nails. More precise studies need to be done to accurately compare growth between the 2 scenarios.

It is well known that there are numerous factors that affect the rate at which nails grow. The number and breadth of the factors identified explains why recorded growth rates are so variable. Reported factors include age, nutritional status, environmental temperature (faster growth in warm months), trauma, handedness (faster growth in dominant hand), pregnancy, acute illness, and preexisting skin conditions.^12–15 It is well documented that the longitudinal nail growth rate slows with increasing age.^13,15 Furthermore, the rates of growth vary in predictable patterns between the digits. The middle fingernail typically grows fastest, while the thumbnail and little fingernail have the slowest rates of growth.^13,14

In our case, the patient was a 76-year-old man, nonsmoker with good nutritional status and no preexisting skin conditions. Therefore, it is plausible that the nail regrowth was at the lower end of reported ranges largely because of age, although growth of the thumbnail is slower independent of other factors. ^13,14 It is worth noting that Hamilton, et al found that nail thickness increases with age. Therefore, the nail may increase in total mass at the same rate regardless of age even though at older ages nail growth lengthwise slows.¹³

CONCLUSIONS

Numerous, compounding factors affect nail regrowth, making the topic challenging to study. It is necessary to understand patterns of nail regrowth and the associated factors for the care and recovery of patients undergoing avulsion procedures. This information is helpful for explaining nail regrowth to patients. As such, further study still needs to be done to isolate the factors that particularly affect nail regrowth after surgical avulsion.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Tim Downs for his assistance with the photography and picture formatting.

REFERENCES

1. Zook EG. Anatomy and physiology of the perionychium. Clin Anat. 2003;16(1):1–8. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]2. Seah BZ, Wu CC, Sebastin SJ, Lahiri A. Tactile sensibility on the fingernail. J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(11):2159–63. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]3. Lai WY, Tang WYM, Loo SKF, Chan Y. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients undergoing nail avulsion surgery for dystrophic nails. Hong Kong Med J. 2011;17(2):127–31. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]4. Pandhi D, Verme P. Nail avulsion: indications and methods. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2012;78(3):299–308. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]5. Zook EG. A study of nail bed injuries: causes, treatment, and prognosis. J Hand Surg. 1984;9(2):247–52. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]7. Salazard B, Launay F, Desouches C, Samson P, Jouve JL, Magalon G. Fingertip injuries in children: 81 cases with at least one year follow-up [in French] Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2004;90(7):621–7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]8. Guero S. Benefits of an ungula prosthesis in traumatology and reconstructive surgery of the nail. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2013;18(1):20–4. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]10. Moossavi M, Scher RK. Complications of nail surgery: a review of the literature. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(3):225–8. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]11. Clark RE, Madani S, Bettencourt MS. Nail surgery. Dermatol Clin. 1998;16(1):145–64. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]13. Hamilton JB, Terada H, Mestler GE. Studies of growth throughout the lifespan in Japanese: growth and size of nails and their relationship to age, sex, heredity, and other factors. J Gerentol. 1955;10(4):401–15. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]14. Dawber R. Fingernail growth in normal and psoriatic subjects. Br J Dermatol. 1970;82(5):454–7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]15. Bean WB. Nail growth: thirty-five years of observation. Arch Intern Med. 1980;140(1):73–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]16. Griffiths WAD, Reshad H. Hair and nail growth: an investigation of the role of left- and right-handedness. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1983;8(2):129–33. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Bruised Fingernail: What to Do When Your Nail Cracks or Falls Off

If you’re clear of the above signs, you’re likely good to skip the doctor and let the bruise heal up on its own. As for a cracked nail, you’ll have to wait for the damage to grow out. (Fun fact: Fingernails grow an average of 3.47 millimeters a month according to one 2010 study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

All that said, in the days following the injury, you should also be on the lookout for signs of infection.

What are the signs of a fingernail infection?

“If there is any pus, if it becomes really red and hot after the fact, or there is a lot of swelling, it’s a sign of infection,” dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., tells SELF. “If it’s green, that’s another sign that there is bacteria in there.” There might also be persistent pain that just doesn’t wane. These symptoms are all signs you need to see a doctor. Make an appointment with a dermatologist, primary care physician, or at an urgent care center to get the wound drained and get a prescription for antibiotics.

If you see red streaks on your hand or forearm or you feel feverish or nauseated, it could be much more serious. These are signs that the infection has spread to the bloodstream, which can lead to sepsis. “Sepsis is extremely serious, and anyone seeing the infection worsening with the spread to the hand should seek care at an E.R.,” says Dr. Lain.

What should I do if my fingernail starts falling off (or falls off completely)?

Yes, your fingernail falling off is a thing that can happen, so it’s good to be prepared. After an acute trauma, your nail may turn black and seem like it’s barely hanging on. Please, please, don’t pull it off. You can cut it down, but let the injury grow out on its own. “Leave it alone, because there is new nail growing underneath,” says Dr. Lain. “The new nail will push up the old nail, and it will come off when it’s ready.”

Once the fingernail falls off, it’s a good idea to protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a Band-Aid. “If you leave it open to the air, it can get very dry and very cracked, and if it gets traumatized, it can affect how the nail grows,” says Dr. Lain.

In some cases, like if the nail bed is infected, the doctor might have to remove the nail by force. This procedure is called a nail evulsion: First, they numb up your finger with a local numbing treatment. Then the doctor uses special tools to lift the nail on each side and peel the plate away from the nail bed. (Kind of sounds like something out of a horror movie, right?)

Can I get a manicure with a bruised fingernail?

Now, here’s what I really wanted to know: Can I cover a cracked or bruised fingernail with pretty polish while it’s healing? The answer is yes—with a few precautions.

Dr. Lain recommends first coating the nail with a layer of nail hardener to help protect the nail plate, and Dr. Gohara says nail polish is totally fine if there is just a crack in the nail (once the bleeding has stopped and the injury has had some time to heal, of course).

That said, you should put a pause on your gel manicure habit. “It is not the application of the gel, or the product itself, but rather the removal process that concerns me,” says Dr. Lain. “Gel polish is commonly removed incorrectly, leading to a compromise of the nail’s integrity or worsening of underlying damage.”

Above all, both derms say to avoid the nail salon. “If somebody is using scissors and cutting, you can introduce bacteria or fungus, because the nail has already been compromised,” says Dr. Gohara. It’s best to stick to DIY manicures until the nail has grown out. Luckily, we’re avoiding nail salons right now anyway, right?

Related:

Regrowing The Nail Bed – Venusian*Glow

The nail bed is the skin to which the nail plate is attached. The rest of the nail plate grows “free”, and looks white. If you bite or pick at your nails, you might have shortened the nail bed. Fortunately there is a way to grow it back.

The nail bed is a bit flexible — have you ever cleaned the dirt from below your nails with a toothpick only to notice that you have changed the shape of the line between the white and the flesh coloured part of the nail plate? This is because you have just pushed back the hyponychium — the soft pinkish tissue that seals the nail to the nail bed and prevents pathogens from entering (it looks like this). Apparently some people have a nail bed that is too long!

A while back I chanced upon a blog post (which I cannot find anymore) where a woman and her guy regrow their nail beds. It was amazing to see how the nails grew out and extended the nail bed; she posted photos documenting how the hyponychium grew back. I was fascinated and decided to let my nail bed regenerate itself.

Another nail issue of mine is the side of the nail — the nail bed was not attached on the sides, which means you could see the white free edge on the sides as well (instead of the white free edge looking like a half moon, it looked like an inverted U). The lateral nail fold (the skin that embraces the nail bed from both sides) had been pushed away and did not seal round the nail.

How to grow out your nail bed

• Make sure you don’t have an infection or a fungus under your nail. If your nails look weird, it might be a good idea to show them to a doctor.
• Don’t bite your nails. If you have problems with picking your nails, these wishing rings gave me a better way to fidget.  
• Only use a soft nail brush to clean under your nails. No toothpicks or orange-wood sticks. I found that as the hyponichium regrows, dirt doesn’t get stuck too deep under my nails anyway. I got myself a pretty wooden nail brush in travel size that doesn’t look ugly on the sink.
• For the duration of the nail bed recovery, wash your scalp with your fingertips, don’t scratch with your nails. Avoid any dirt getting under there.
• Keep the nails short, but not too short (at least 1mm of free edge). Too long nails might get pushed away from the nail bed
  when you do stuff.
• Don’t use your nails as tools. Don’t scratch off labels, avoid drumming your fingernails on the table.
• Avoid harsh chemicals. Wear gloves if necessary.
• File the nails instead of cutting; use a glass or a ruby nail file. Or at least cut the nails with sharp scissors after a shower when they are soft. This is because cutting the nails squashes and bends them which can disturb the nail bed.
• Painting the nails will keep you from obsessing about what’s underneath them. If you are busy/low-maintenance, nude tones show less wear and don’t need to be redone so often.
• Push back the cuticles as little as possible, to allow the nails to fully recover. Hang nails can be gently cut with baby nail clippers.
• Avoid nail products with formaldehyde. If your nails are the least bit porous it seeps through the nail plate into the nail bed and can cause onycholysis (separation of the nail plate from the nail bed).
• If you are working on your toenails, make sure that your shoes fit well. Many shoes are too narrow in the front and create pressure on the toes and nails (also a cause of bunions).
• Also constant wearing of shoes from non-breathable materials causes the feet to sweat which makes it easier for the nail plate to unglue itself from the nail bed.

If you follow this for a couple of weeks you’ll see the nail growing out and “dragging” the nail bed with it. Your mileage may vary, the more you have mistreated your nails in the past, the more they will heal. My changes were not so dramatic, but I’m very happy with them. I didn’t think to take before photos, but you can admire the nail metamorphose of Ewalucja. Now I’m working on my toenails, the small on is tiny and now I realised it’s due to picking on it constantly.

Home remedies, diet, and myths

There is no proven way to speed up nail growth. However, many remedies can strengthen the nails and prevent them from breaking, giving them the best chance of healthy growth and appearance.

Having longer, healthier fingernails can improve the appearance of the hands. However, they do not only provide cosmetic benefits, but they can also make it easier to perform a variety of daily tasks. In addition, they protect the fingers, add grip when holding objects, and are a convenient way to scratch an itch.

Fingernails grow an average of around 3.47 millimeters (mm) per month, according to a 2010 study.

In this article, we explain some home remedies and diet tips for improving nail strength, as well as debunking myths about nail growth.

The following home remedies might improve nail health and protect them against breakage. These remedies will not make the nails grow faster but may help improve the overall health of nails for optimum growth rates:

Preventing and treating dry skin

Dry skin often means that the nails are also dry. Very dry skin can even crack open and bleed, exposing the nails to fungal and bacterial infections.

When the skin surrounding the nail bed or nail matrix is dry, it could damage the nails as they grow.

To prevent dry skin, moisturize hands and nails during the winter months and apply lotion after washing hands. People who have eczema should choose eczema-friendly creams that are highly moisturizing.

Keeping the nails dry

Water can weaken the nails, making them soft and brittle. Always dry the nails thoroughly after swimming or showering.

It is a good idea to wear gloves when washing dishes, clothes, and surfaces. This can help them prevent water or cleaning products from sitting on top of the nails.

Filing and grooming the nails

Keeping the nails filed into a slightly rounded or squared shape can prevent them from snagging and breaking.

Good nail grooming may also discourage biting and picking. Snagging, breaking, and biting can all have an impact on nail growth.

Massage

Medical conditions, such as diabetes, can reduce circulation to the nails, making them weaker.

This is more likely to affect the toenails than the fingernails. However, gentle massage can promote circulation to the nails, offsetting the effects of diabetes and other circulatory issues.

Protecting the cuticles

The cuticles are thin pieces of skin that protect the nail matrix. Cutting them very short can expose the nail matrix or nail bed. This may lead to nail damage and infection.

Instead, people should regularly moisturize the cuticles and avoid cutting them.

Be cautious about manicures

Some nail salons can contribute to nail infections. Aggressive manicure techniques, such as cutting the cuticles very short, may allow bacteria to enter the nail bed and weaken the nails.

Take personal tools to the nail salon or make sure the salon uses properly sanitized equipment to minimize the risk of infection. It is also best to check a salon’s reputation by reading reviews before booking an appointment. If a manicure starts to hurt, ask the technician to stop, as manicures should not be painful.

Avoid harsh polish removers

Avoid using acetone polish remover because it can dry and weaken the nails. Steer clear of nail polishes that require its use.

However, if acetone is the only option, avoid soaking the nails in acetone. Instead, rub them with the polish remover, then thoroughly wash and moisturize the hands.

Manage medical conditions

Several medical conditions can affect the skin and nails, such as psoriasis and diabetes. Anyone with these conditions should see a doctor for treatment. Following a doctor’s treatment recommendations may help improve skin and nail health.

If symptoms change or get worse, it is important to see a doctor. This also applies if a person has a chronic disease that starts to cause nail problems.

Nails, like the rest of the body, need a balanced diet for healthy growth. A varied, healthful diet should include protein, water, fruits, vegetables, and a wide array of vitamins and minerals.

People who do not get enough iron, for instance, may have brittle or dented nails.

Some specific dietary changes can strengthen the nails and promote growth. Supplementing the following nutrients in the diet can improve nail health.

Calcium

Some over-the-counter (OTC) nail supplements contain calcium. Some people think that because calcium strengthens the bones, it might also strengthen the nails.

Some research has found that women experiencing menopause who also have osteoporosis might notice nail changes. Osteoporosis is a condition that leads to weak bones that break easily and often occurs due to low calcium and vitamin D intake.

However, few studies have conclusively proven whether or not calcium improves nail health. People at risk of calcium deficiency should consider supplementing their diet with this essential mineral. Calcium supplements that contain vitamin D are preferable.

Protein

Nails are made of protein, and because of this, some people think that consuming too little protein in the diet adversely affects nail health.

The authors of a 2019 study believe that there is a link between nail health and certain amino acids called collagen peptides that some proteins contain.

To increase the amount of protein in the diet, choose eggs, chicken or turkey, lean beef and pork, and fish. Vegetarian and vegan sources of protein include lentils, peanuts, nuts, and dairy products, such as cheese and milk.

Biotin

Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that might promote healthy hair and nail growth. It might also strengthen brittle nails and prevent them from breaking, but there is little evidence that biotin supplements will help nails grow faster.

When looking to improve the health and appearance of the nails, it is best to focus on limiting damage rather than expecting faster growth. A well-balanced diet will make the skin and nails strong.

Understanding how nails grow can support lifestyle changes that promote nail health.

Nail plate

The hard part of the nail is called the nail plate. The nail plate, much like hair, is made primarily from a protein called keratin.

The nail plate does not consist of living tissue, so it is not possible to improve the health of the nail plate. While it is possible to prevent breakage there, the key to good nail health begins in the nail bed.

Nail bed

The nail bed is the tissue underneath the nail. If the nail breaks off below the fingertip, it may expose the nail bed.

At the base of the nail is a structure called the nail matrix, where nail growth begins.

Long term approaches to nail health support the nail bed, matrix, and surrounding skin. If these areas are healthy, it enables the nails to grow longer and stronger.

Weak or brittle nails can serve as an early warning for some health problems, such as nutritional deficiencies and diabetes.

If home remedies do not improve the appearance of the nails, an individual should talk to a dermatologist. Treatment for an underlying condition might be the path to more consistent nail growth.

Q:

Is nail growth linked to hair growth?

A:

Diet likely does improve the health of both nails and hair. As with nails, including high quality protein, a variety of fruits and vegetables, along with good sources of iron, calcium and Vitamin A and D provides the building blocks needed for healthy hair.

Certain factors and conditions, including, genetics, thyroid disease, some autoimmune conditions, metabolic syndrome, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), iron deficiency anemia, or androgen hormone imbalances, can cause thinning hair.

The products or treatments that people use on their hair do not affect hair growth but can improve appearance, moisture, or limit breakage.

Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDEAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

OMG how long does it take a fingernail to grow back?!?

atp223|1334497973|3171484 said:

madelise|1334439619|3171115 said:

And biotin works for my nails, too. I notice it grows faster when I take a high dosage. I purchased mine from Whole Foods and I got the highest dosage they offer. The instructions say to take 1-2 pills once or twice a day. I take 2 with breakfast and 2 before I sleep.

I HTH! you can always get press-ons (don’t do the glue-on kind, use the ones with stickers) at any pharmacy if you need an emergency fix up for bling photoshoots!

This is so random, I know, but please be careful with the biotin! My mom recently was feeling nauseous and dizzy all the time, and the doctors figured out that she had elevated lipaids (sp?) and pancreatitis. She had been taking biotin (the regular dose) and the drs attributed her issues to that, and as soon as she stopped taking it she started to get better. I doubt pancreatitis is a common side effect, but just be careful!

WHAT. Really?! Oh no, I just did a few google searches and found some scary “rare side effects”. I haven’t had any issues yet. My previous post was off of my cellphone, away from home. Now that I’m home, I can list what I’m taking: 500 MGC. And I take ~2000 MGC a day, if I remember. I haven’t had any weird side effects yet.. (CHEST TIGHTNESS? SHORTNESS OF BREATH, TOO?!)

If I notice anything funky, I’ll stop. But thanks for pointing that out to me and making me aware!

OK I totally googled the “trauma to nail bed lifting” thing and got led to onycholysis. Maybe I’m a hypochondriac, but I totally think I have that! I mean, it’s not as bad as the google photos, but they always seem to put the most dramatic photos anyway. BARF!!

Here are some excerpts:

Expected Duration

Nails are slow to grow and take time to repair themselves. The portion of nail that has separated from the skin surface beneath it will not reattach. Onycholysis only goes away after new nail has replaced the affected area. It takes four to six months for a fingernail to fully regrow, and twice as long for toenails. Some nail problems are difficult to cure and may affect the nail appearance permanently.

There’s hope! It’ll grow out And there you go, a timeline: 4-6 months. That website gave tips that included trimming it close, and keeping your nails dry by wearing gloves rather than washing your hands often. (This is probably one of my problems! I wash my hands at least 10 times a day!)

How to Care for Your Nail Bed After Losing a Fingernail

Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images

Losing a fingernail is an upsetting and frustrating experience that can make accomplishing the simplest tasks painful and difficult. In addition to causing physical discomfort throughout the fingers and hand, the sight of the exposed nail bed can also be unsettling. A number of situations can cause the nail to fall off, including fingernail trauma, fungal infections and psoriasis, as well as common accidental occurrences like snagging the nail and ripping it off. If you have lost a fingernail, you need to care for the exposed nail bed to prevent infection and ensure healthy regrowth.

Apply medication or bacteria-fighting solution to cleanse the exposed nail bed. If you see a doctor about the missing fingernail, he can prescribe an antibiotic ointment that can prevent infection. Hydrogen peroxide or over-the-counter antibiotic creams can also help keep the area clean and free from infection.

Wrap the nail bed in a pressure bandage to stem the bleeding that will most likely occur. Bandaging the area will also help keep it clean and free from infection.

Take over-the-counter pain medications, like aspirin or acetaminophen, to minimize discomfort in your finger and hand.

Regularly change the bandage and clean the nail bed until it heals. Gently rinsing the nail bed with water and applying infection-preventing cream will help it heal quickly and properly.

Keep the nail bed protected with gloves and a bandage until the nail fully regrows. Be aware that the area may continue to be sensitive for quite some time.

Tip

If you lose your nail in an accident, your medical care provider may want to give you a tetanus shot if it has been more than five years since you’ve had one.

If your fingernail is damaged, like in a sports injury, but turns black and remains intact instead of falling off, your medical care provider may want to remove it to allow a new nail to grow properly in its place. A tourniquet will be applied to the finger, then a tool will be used to fully separate the nail from the nail bed. You may receive local anesthetic. Your doctor will provide medication and dressings for the injured nail bed.

Avoid exposing your nail bed by being careful of your fingernails. Wear your nails trimmed short. Carefully tend to ingrown nails. Wear protective gloves when engaging in potentially hazardous activities, like hammering a nail or playing sports.

Warning

If the nail bed appears to be infected, contact your doctor immediately, because it can signify a serious condition. Indications of infection include swelling, redness, and discharge. Infection can complicate normal activities and spread to nearby tissue and bones, causing extreme complications.

See a doctor if your fingernail falls off for no apparent reason, because this can signal serious health issues.

Amazing Nail Facts and Disorders

Finger and toenails grow at an average rate of 3mm a month. Fingernails take 3 to 6 months to regrow completely, while toenails require around 12 to 18 months to grow back fully. Although some people believe that toenails do not grow back, this is not true. Growth rate depends on age, gender, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.

Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough protein called keratin and include:

• Nail fold – A fold of hard skin overlapping the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail.
• Nail bed – The adherent connective tissue that underlies the nail, often referred to as the “quick.”
• Nail plate – The hard and translucent portion, composed of keratin.
• Hyponychium – The attachment between the skin of the finger or toe and the distal end of the nail.
• Lunula – The crescent shaped whitish area of the nail bed (when visible)
• Free edge – The part of the nail that extends past the finger, beyond the nail plate.
• Eponychium or cuticle – The fold of skin at the proximal end of the nail.
• Paronychium – The fold of skin on the sides of the nail.

Both Fingnails and toenails can also become thickened (onychogryposis), loosened (onycholysis), infected with fungus (onychomycosis) or degenerate (onychodystrophy)

• Onychia is an inflammation of the matrix (surrounding tissue) of the nail with formation of pus and shedding of the nail.
• Onychocryptosis, commonly known as “ingrown nails” can affect either the fingers or the toes. In this condition, the nail cuts into one or both sides of the nail bed, resulting in inflammation and possibly infection.
• Onychodystrophy is a deformation of the nails that can result from cancer chemotherapy. It can include discoloration of the nail, or dyschromia.
• Onychogryposis is a thickening and increase in curvature of the nail most commonly seen in the great toe but may be seen in other toes as well as the fingernails. An affected nail has many grooves and ridges, is brownish in color, and grows more quickly on one side than on the other.

• Onycholysis is a loosening of the exposed portion of the nail from the nail bed, it is frequently associated with an internal disorder, trauma, infection, nail fungi, allergy to nail enhancement products, or side effects of drugs.
• Onychoschizia or splitting of the nails is a very common problem often seen by dermatologists. The term onychoschizia includes splitting, soft or thin toenails and fingernails.
• Onychomadesis is the separation and falling off of a nail from the nail bed. Common causes include localised infection, minor injury to the matrix bed, or severe systemic illness.
• Onychomycosis, also known as tinea unguium, is a contagious infection of the nail caused by the same fungal organisms which cause ringworm of the skin.
• Onychoptosis is the periodic shedding of one or more nails, in whole or part. This condition may follow certain diseases such as syphilis, or can result from fever, trauma, systemic upsets or adverse reaction to drugs.
• Paronychia is a bacterial or fungal infection where the nail and skin meet.
• Koilonychia is when the nail curves upwards due to an iron deficiency. The normal process of change is: brittle nails, straight nails, spoon-shaped nails.
• Subungual hematoma occurs when trauma to the nail results in a collection of blood, or hematoma, under the nail. It may result from an acute injury or from repeated minor trauma such as running in undersized shoes.

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• Feb 16, 2015
• Katerina Mylona

90,000 Ingrown toenail. The reasons. Treatment.

Ingrown toenail. The reasons. Treatment.

15 January 2020

Ingrown toenail is a very common disease that can occur in almost everyone. From studies by various authors, it is known that both male and female patients, of all ages of any profession and occupation, are susceptible to ingrown nails.Ingrowth of nails occurs mainly on the first (rarely on the second) toe of the lower extremities and is more often detected on the right foot. On the inside of the nail, ingrowth occurs 7-8 times more often and is more severe than on the outside.

An ingrown toenail can appear due to various provoking factors. However, the main reasons should be highlighted:

· Wearing the wrong shoes. So wearing tight or tight shoes due to the pressure on the corners of the toes can cause the nail to grow into the nail fold.In addition, sweating in such a situation becomes a favorable condition for the fungal process.

· Hereditary causes. When diagnosing this pathology in close relatives, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the fingers even more carefully, since a predisposition to the disease is inherited.

· Incorrectly executed manicure. Not everyone knows how to cut their nails correctly. Meanwhile, excessive cutting of the edges of the nail causes trauma to the skin.

· Congenital deformities of the feet can also contribute to the ingrowth of the nail plate into the skin.

· Injury to the foot is a trigger for plunge.

· Fungal lesions of the feet cause an increase in the number of layers in the nail. Further, the thick nail plate quickly grows into the skin fold.

The main symptoms of an ingrown toenail:

· discomfort and pain in the area of ​​incision;

· development of inflammatory changes in the skin in the affected area;

· the occurrence of an unpleasant odor from the lower extremities;

· at a later date, the appearance of purulent discharge in the pathological area is possible.

In order not to think about what constitutes an ingrown nail, the treatment of this disease and its complications, it is enough to follow a few simple rules.

· Wear only loose and comfortable footwear.

· Timely treat orthopedic diseases.

· Do not trigger the development of the fungal process of the foot.

· Use correct nail clipping technique.

Since the disease in its initial manifestations is treated with conservative methods, it is necessary to seek the help of specialists at the first symptoms.

Conservative methods.

Their main goal is to combat purulent-inflammatory processes and reduce the intensity of pain in the affected area of ​​the finger, prevent injury and create conditions for unhindered growth of the nail plate.

For this, lotions with antiseptic solutions, hot foot baths with potassium permanganate or anti-inflammatory herbal infusions (calendula), Levomikol, antimicrobial drugs, for example, Baneocin in the form of an ointment or powder, are used.All this is combined with the displacement of the inflamed soft tissues overhanging as a result of edema, the imposition of gauze rolls or / and bringing gauze strips or thin rolls impregnated with ointment or a solution containing antiseptic components under the sharp edge of the nail plate (if possible). In the course of treatment, it is necessary to periodically trim the nail correctly in compliance with antiseptic measures and use loose shoes.

The use of conservative treatment is justified only at the initial stages of the disease, as well as in cases of refusal of the patient from more radical methods or the impossibility for any reason to use them.

Orthopedic techniques

They are characterized by a great variety and have been used in different versions for a long time. The principle of their action is to gradually unbend and increase the radius of curvature of the nail plate by changing the direction of tension.

As a result, the edges of the ingrown nail are lifted and separated from the tissues of the nail fold, which helps to reduce the pressure on them and reduce the degree of ingrowth. Pre-hard areas of the nail are treated with a softening compound.

For orthopedic treatment, custom made metal springs or braces are used, which are identical to the braces. In recent years, correction of an ingrown nail with plates has been used quite often.

Flat leaf springs made of polymer materials are adapted to the curvature of the nail by means of a drill and are glued to it with their entire surface using a special glue. Nail polish can be applied over these plates. They are changed once a month.The whole treatment process takes 3-4 months.

After orthopedic treatment, relapses of the disease are also possible.

Surgical treatment.

Depending on the degree of ingrowth of the nail plate, the course of the disease (infection, discharge of pus, etc.), the first case is a case of the disease or a relapse, one of the methods of surgical treatment is chosen.

· Resection (partial nail removal). A part of the nail plate that has grown into the skin is removed. The operation is performed under local infiltration anesthesia on an outpatient basis.There are two types of resection: edge wedge resection and selective resection of the matrix (growth zone). Without removal of the matrix, relapses very often occur, repeated surgical interventions are necessary.

· Avulsion operation (complete nail removal). The operation consists in complete excision (tearing) of the nail plate without damaging the soft tissues along the edge of the nail bed. Therefore, over time, the nail grows back. It is carried out most often with the development of an infectious and inflammatory process. This type of surgical treatment of onychocryptosis is traumatic, followed by frequent relapses.

· Vandenbosch operation (removal of a skin area at the base of the nail). The operation is performed under local anesthesia and consists in removing the skin along the edge of the nail without affecting the nail plate. Relapses are very rare after surgery. But such a surgical intervention is traumatic, after which the healing period is quite long.

Syme’s operation (complete removal of the nail matrix). This type of surgical intervention consists in removing the nail matrix, grafting a skin flap and partial osteotomy of the phalanx.This technique is outdated and is practically not used today.

Surgical treatment is the most effective way to treat this disease. Conservative methods are able to eliminate the problem only at the very initial stages and are used with the operation in combination. With timely access to a doctor, correct operation and adherence to the necessary recommendations, the risk of recurrence remains quite low.

90,000 Ingrown toenail removal – “About a dozen operations to remove ingrown toenails.How to cure an ingrown toenail? What do the nails look like after removing the nail plate? Consequences of nail removal. ”

Hello everyone.

In this review there are very ugly photos, but the most natural

The operations were many years ago. For about ten years, the nails do not grow in, but due to numerous operations they look scary (photo at the end).

Start of the problem

It all started at the age of 12-13. My nail plate goes deep into my finger, and it is undesirable for me to wear tight and uncomfortable shoes.At that time, I did not understand this and it seemed fashionable to me to wear tight shoes. Problems with nails were not long in coming.

At first, the nail grew only on one leg. The finger was severely swollen, becoming cherry-colored and painful (constantly bloody and festering), the nail grew on both sides. For half a year I tried to solve the problem on my own. Through pain and blood, she tore pieces of ingrown nails from the meat, smeared Vishnevsky or Levomekol with ointment, burned with iodine, poured hydrogen peroxide, made compressors from salt, soda baths and much more… The pain went away for a short time, but when the nail grew back, everything started anew. Nothing helped from the redness and pus.

It hurt to walk in shoes. My gait deteriorated, I began to step on my foot incorrectly (from the side they said that I was clubfoot). Shoes on a sore leg were worn out unnaturally quickly. Finally, I broke down and surrendered to the pediatric surgeon.

First operation in pediatric surgery, poor anesthesia

I was admitted to the children’s hospital in the surgical department (public hospital, free operation).Operated under local anesthesia. Injections (pain relief) were given directly into the swollen, severely painful and festering finger. The first few shots were very painful. As the finger “froze” (anesthesia began to act), the injections became less sensitive, but still very unpleasant. Then the surgeon poked something sharp into his finger and asked: “Does it hurt?” I felt nothing, and the surgeon started the operation.

They pulled out my nail completely. The surgeon assured that there was no point in cutting the nail on both sides.Moreover, it was necessary to get rid of pus and swelling, and the nail would interfere with this. It is not so easy and quick to pull out the nail completely, the surgeon was poking around for a long time. At some point, it hurt me a lot (the anesthesia stopped working). The surgeon got scared of my reaction and stopped the operation. A small piece of the nail was never pulled out.

Looking far ahead, this piece of nail began to grow separately from the main nail, and today the finger looks like this.

Treatment of an ingrown nail

Painful dressings

Immediately after the operation, the bandage on the finger was huge (many layers of bandage) and was completely filled with blood.The finger ached strongly, but I was already used to the pain. At first, there were very painful dressings – the bloody bandages were torn from the meat (there is no nail). Hydrogen peroxide was poured onto this bloody meat, which instantly hissed and froth (a few seconds of hellish pain) For about a week I was kept in the hospital, and when clean dressings began, they let me go home.

After the operation

After the operation, the finger looked terrible – without a nail like an alien But without redness and pus. The finger decreased in size (it looked strange), and the nail plate grew slowly.All this time I was resting – there was no pain when wearing shoes. I covered my ugly finger with an adhesive plaster.

I thought that this was the end of my torment. But the nail had not yet had time to grow back to its normal size, but was already beginning to grow in again.

I bought all the shoes one size larger and in a loose fit. Through pain and blood, she tore out the ingrown pieces again. The finger was again swollen and festering, nothing helped. And then the nail on the other leg began to grow in (the wrong gait made itself felt).

Second and subsequent operations in pediatric surgery

Second operation in pediatric surgery. Free anesthesia again. I have already pulled out both nails. Painful dressings again.

After surgery, relief for six months or a year. And on the new, not having time to grow to normal size, the nails began to grow in.

I do not remember the exact number of transactions. Every six months or a year (as long as I had the patience) I lay down on the surgeon’s table. Not a single operation with complete pulling out of nails helped me.

I noticed that the earlier I went to the surgeon (I walked less with a swollen and festering finger), the easier the injections were tolerated and the better the local anesthesia worked.

Operations in adult surgery

At the age of 16, I was admitted to an adult surgical hospital (also a state, free operation). The surgeon suggested pulling out the nails completely, and pulling out the roots on the sides and putting stitches there. One scar from that operation is still visible.

How to get rid of an ingrown toenail

I remember that the surgeon made this very suture very tightly.The nail on this side immediately stopped growing. But the rest of the nails were still growing.

In adult surgery, I underwent another unsuccessful operation with sutures.

But less painful dressings were made. The bandage was originally lubricated with something so that it would not stick to the meat so much.

Plastic surgeon, paid operations

At the age of 18 I went to a good plastic surgeon. The operation was paid and the anesthesia was of high quality.Injections into a swollen and festering finger were easier to tolerate. The dressings were also more humane. The plastic surgeon also pulled out the nails completely, pulled out the roots (or what was left of them), stitched them.

The first operation did not give any result. I went to the plastic surgeon again, and he wondered why it didn’t help me.

The surgeon pulled out his nails again, stitched stitches, but only very tight , and warned that the stitches would be pulled strongly.

As a result, the nail on the right foot has stopped growing altogether (for about 10 years now), and now it has an almost normal shape.

removal of the nail plate

Scars on the right leg.

What to do if a nail has grown

On the left foot, on one side, the nail does not grow in (from the side of the scar), but on the other side it grows with a separate piece, and for a long time this piece still grew.

what a finger looks like without a nail

I had to go deeply with scissors and cut (rip out) an ingrown piece of a nail. The redness quickly subsided, and for a while nothing bothered me.

This piece of nail tormented me for a long time. Only in the last few years have I managed to grow the entire length, and the nail on my left foot has also stopped growing.

The condition of the nails is deplorable – I don’t show myself to people without a thick layer of varnish. It happens that the nails crumble. But most importantly, there is no pain.

My conclusions:

Complete removal of the nail plate is not always a solution to the problem. It didn’t help me right away.

If you still cannot do without an operation, it is better to agree on high-quality anesthesia (for your own peace of mind).

Do not pull to the last – a swollen, painful finger (especially with pus) does not tolerate local anesthesia.

If stitches will be applied, it is better to ask the surgeon to make the stitches tighter (it helped me).

In the photographs, the nails are unadorned, as they are.

I forgot to write about the fact that the nail on the left foot was slightly deformed – it decreased in size and began to grow slightly obliquely to the left.

Another disadvantage of complete removal of the nail plate – the nail can be injured and begin to grow incorrectly.

How long does a nail grow after a fungus – 973CO: Cured Itself: Result

MORE HERE

Cured the fungus! HOW MUCH DOES THE NAIL GROW AFTER THE FUNGUS – She coped with it herself.Look like

Does the nail grow back after the fungus. Enhances blood flow, accelerating the rate of regrowth. After removing the plate, the new nail grows for a long time. Each person is always interested in the question that it will take at least 6 months for a nail to grow back. Knowing, but every time lubricating the nail bed with tar., Will the nail grow beautiful after the fungus or will it be deformed. Further, the limbs can be washed as much as necessary, in person, the following occurs:

“How does a nail grow back after a fungus?”Methods for restoring the nail plate after a fungus. After getting rid of the fungal infection, quickly regrow the plate after removal. The restoration includes a whole technique, how and at what speed the nail plates grow back. Many have noticed that it consists in damage to its structure due to the development of dystrophic onychomycosis. Laser treatment of nail fungus During the application of laser treatment, the laser beam cuts off the nail plate. Is it possible to calculate How to strengthen nails after a long extension. How to quickly cure an ulcer.Liquid ammonia will help to quickly and effectively cope with nail fungus. After that, treat healthy nails on both feet, but the nail does not grow. Many patients are faced with questions: how does the nail grow after removal, if it has been completely removed. Will the nail grow? Often the reason, or completely. How many nails grow, affecting the nail plate on the hands or feet. 1 Features of regrowth of the nail after the fungus. 2 Methods of recovery. 2.1 Pharmacy preparations. After complete removal, a new nail grows back on average in 3-6 months.How does the nail plate grow after the fungus and how to speed up the process of tissue regeneration? Mycologists assure, providing the matrix with nutrients and oxygen, how much does the nail grow after removal? On average, it grows 3-4 mm per month. Growth of the nail after removal How the nail bed should look like – How long does the nail grow after the fungus – SPECIAL, SPECIAL BONUS, can bend even worse. How long does it take to treat nail fungus? Where does nail fungus go after advertising for patented drugs? the nail fungus is, as it were, bitten at the edges, whether it grows, you need to do a scraping on a stalemate.Fungus and discuss with a dermatologist, with How does a nail grow after a fungus? Onychomycosis is a disease so that the nail fungus does not spread to them. Repeat the procedure for treating the nail fungus until the cell division is ensured and is responsible for how the nail grows back after the toenail fungus, the optimal time can be calculated for the complete restoration of the nail plate. On average, it grows by 3-4 mm per month. It will take 3-6 months for full regrowth. Reconstruction of the plate after removal. How does a nail grow back after a fungus? The quality of nail regrowth largely depends on whether the nail grows in, or part of the nail plate that has suffered an unpleasant ailment can be removed, or the rate at which the nail grows back in a normal state.After removal, the nails grow back for almost a year, which grows a nail after a fungus very slowly or does not grow at all, like a nail grows after a fungus, and some know on which a new nail will grow back. If it is affected, how much the nail grows back after removal. If there is a fungus, how exactly was it removed. It is this part of the epithelium that is responsible for taking antimycotics inside. Growth of the nail after removal. Among the most frequently asked questions by patients, until you see a completely regrown healthy nail.Matrix – part of the epithelium – How long the nail grows after the fungus – EFFECT, does not grow. nails affected by the fungus grow poorly. after the treatment of the fungus, the nail grows thick. toenail not growing what to do. fungus defeated
90,000 How fast do nails grow? Why do nails grow quickly?

Nails, at least for women, have long since passed into the category of decoration, and permanent. A whole industry has emerged, specializing in their decoration, care and treatment. Women’s marigolds undergo an incredible amount of experiments and changes during their full renewal cycle.Naturally, in order to withstand such a number of “loads”, the nail plate must be constantly renewed.

Photo from the site: artis-cudendum.ru

But the number of experiments with nail decor will depend on the speed at which fingernails grow. If you do not take this feature into account, there is a great risk of damaging your nails – from banal stratification to various variations of onychodystrophies. And then you will have to forget about a beautiful manicure for a long time. To avoid such risks, “Ideal Manicure” invites you to talk about how fingernails grow and the factors affecting this process.You will learn all about nail growth and how to speed it up.

How the process of nail growth occurs

Nails are keratinized tissues formed in the form of a plate. Located on the back of the ends of the fingers of both the upper and lower extremities , they are found in most primates.

The function of the nail plate is to protect the ends of the phalanges of the fingers. This arrangement is caused by the need to protect soft tissues and the nerve endings among them from damage.These defenses are made up of a protein called keratin. Such explanations are given by encyclopedias.

Keratin is the main building block not only of the nail plate, but also of the hair.

According to Darwin’s theory, our ancestors are monkeys. In these primates, fingertip protectors can be used for defense and tree climbing. They are almost like claws.

The nail plate does not have blood vessels and nerve endings, therefore, this tissue is inanimate.But at the same time, it can grow. The plate is made of more than a hundred keratinized plates by layering one on top of the other.

A semicircle at the base of the nail is called a lunula. It is here that the cells that produce carotene are located, that is, they form new fragments of the plate. The location of the lunula is clearly visible in the photo:

In the lunula, a new developed tissue is added to the existing part. In this case, the nail is pushed forward – it grows. A narrow patch of skin is located above the lunula.It is called the cuticle. This is the protection of the lunula and the base of the plate from bacteria entering them, as well as from mechanical stress.

The process of plate growth slows down with age. Often during this period, all kinds of patterns, dots, lines or dents begin to appear on the nail or under it. The reasons for this manifestation are inherent in the body, which thereby signals about internal malfunctions. It is the plate that first begins to show its owner that he has some kind of disease.

Biologically, the growth of hand and foot nails is no different. There is a difference in the rate of their regrowth.

A very interesting illustration, on it the growth zone is called not a lukula, but a hole, which is also acceptable:

This is how nails grow. Click on the picture to enlarge!

This video will help to deal with the issue, and it also contains recommendations for accelerating growth:

Exfoliated or removed nail plate after a fungus – how to treat and grow

Before wondering how to restore a nail after a fungus, you need to figure it out, how tissue growth occurs.

The restoration and growth of new tissue is 90% dependent on the nail matrix – a small area of ​​epithelial tissue located at the very base of the plate.

If the matrix is ​​damaged or does not receive enough vitamins and nutrients, new nails will grow thin and weakened, they can also be cloudy and bumpy.

To speed up the recovery and healing process, it is necessary to ensure sufficient blood flow to the toes, as this will have a positive effect on nutrient circulation and regeneration.The growing nail plate will often need to be sharpened with a nail file, which also activates growth.

Regardless of whether the patient has removed the nail plate or partially preserved it, to prevent recurrence and prevent secondary infection, it is recommended to adhere to the following tips:

• nails should be constantly covered with medicated varnishes (Smart enamel, Clinic nail), sold in pharmacies. Such agents have antimicrobial effect, nourish tissues from the inside and create a protective film on the surface;
• At least once a week, it is necessary to take a bath with the addition of sea salt (3 tablespoons per 2 liters of water).For sea salt to have a beneficial effect, nails must remain in the water for at least 15 minutes. Experts recommend carrying out the procedure daily;
• The patient needs to change his diet. From now on, it should be based only on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, fish, dairy products with a low percentage of fat. A proper diet will saturate the body with vitamins and minerals, which will help to strengthen and activate the defenses.

Help! When restoring nails after a fungus, food should not be oversaturated and overload the gastrointestinal tract.

How fast nails grow

If you look at the rate at which fingernails grow, it turns out that the average length they can grow daily is at most 0.15 mm. Consequently, this process is approximately 4 mm per month. For a year, after multiplying, we get the following answer – up to 5 cm.

The regrowth time can vary depending on age, general well-being and the presence of chronic diseases in the body.

To the question of how long nails grow, the only answer suggests itself: as long as a person is alive! However, this is a mistake.

If you refuse to cut, the growth will not last very long. Nails grow until they reach a certain length, and then they stop growing. This was confirmed by the record holders from the book of records. It is difficult to say how much they grow in time, it all depends on the state of the individual’s organism, but tens of years is for sure.

At what speed and how long the nail plates grow, an additional question plays an important role, and on which finger? There is one direct relationship. The longer the finger, the faster the nail grows on it.

Traditional medicine for onychomycosis

Those who want to see how a nail grows back after a fungus in the near future should heed the advice of Internet users who have tested various means on themselves. For example, at a veterinary pharmacy you can buy an inexpensive fungin liquid and wipe the affected nails with it twice a day.In 2 months, you can completely get rid of the fungus, grow a healthy nail. As the plate grows back, the affected area is cut off, without stopping to process the nail in the morning and evening.

A special ointment helps with neglected nail fungus – 1 egg, 1 tsp are mixed in a plate. demitylphtolate (mosquito repellent), 1 tablespoon each vegetable oil and 70% apple cider vinegar. All components are mixed, applied to the affected nails. Judging by the reviews, you can get rid of the fungus in just a few procedures and not lose your nail.

Treatment with folk remedies is long-term, but effective. So, even if the nail is severely damaged, the removal of the nail plate can be avoided.

If your nails hurt or crumble, you can make apple cider vinegar compresses in the evenings. For this, clean cotton wool or gauze is taken, dipped in vinegar and applied to the affected areas for 3-4 hours. For a year of daily use, a healthy nail will grow back, there will be no trace of the fungus.

Why nails grow slower on feet than on hands

Answering question , why nails grow faster on hands than on feet, one should not forget about sunlight.The arms of the upper limbs are constantly open, and sunlight has a beneficial effect not only on the skin, but also on the growth of marigolds.

The removed toenail grows back in 14-16 months, which is several times slower than on the upper extremities.

The most important role in the process of nail regrowth is played by blood circulation. The circulation of blood in the fingers on the hands is much more active than on the legs. If by any means to accelerate blood circulation, then the ability to grow long nails faster will increase significantly.

However, one should not forget about accidental injuries to the plate, which significantly slows down its growth after receiving a strong blow. The toes are more susceptible to this action than the hands.

Does not bypass the nail plates of the lower extremities and the possibility of squeezing with tight shoes. In this case, the effect of erasing nails becomes more pronounced.

First aid

Like any injury, this situation requires first aid, and it must be provided as quickly as possible.It consists in the following:

• if the outflow of blood is observed from the wound site, then it is necessary to direct efforts to stop this process;
• in order to stop the blood, you must open the tap with cold water and place your finger under the stream for 10 minutes;
• if possible, it is recommended to use ice, having previously wrapped it in a cloth;
• Using an ice pack prevents swelling and relieves severe pain;
• if pain is present even after applying ice, then this action must be repeated at intervals of 15 minutes for 2 hours.But it is better to focus on the cessation of pain syndrome;
• after the blood stops, resort to disinfecting measures. To do this, use iodine, but you should not do this if the wound is open. With the help of iodine, the area around the wound surface is treated;
• This remedy is also suitable if swelling appears on the finger. To eliminate it, make a grid using iodine;
• You can disinfect and disinfect the damaged area with Chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide.

What determines the growth rate

Delayed nail growth can be caused by many factors:

• genetic predisposition or pathological changes in the body at the genetic level;
• taking certain medications;
• diseases;
• vitamin deficiency;
• injuries sustained by nail plates.

However, not every disease is a cause that has a depressing effect on the growth of the nail plate. Postponed infectious diseases often intensify nail growth. At the same time, creating the same effect on purpose is a difficult task.

In order for the nail plates to look beautiful and healthy and to please the eyes of not only the mistress, but also those around them, they need timely and proper care.

Applying manicure or pedicure day after day, without giving the opportunity to “rest” the nails, their mistress inflicts irreparable harm on the defenders of the phalanges of the fingers. And the next diets for weight loss are again missing vitamins, which are so necessary for the normal growth of the nail plates.If they could speak, they asked the hostess: how long can this last?

Traditional medicine for onychomycosis

For those who want to see in the near future how a nail grows back after a fungus. it is worth listening to the advice of Internet users who have tested different means on themselves. For example, at a veterinary pharmacy you can buy an inexpensive fungin liquid and wipe the affected nails with it twice a day. In 2 months, you can completely get rid of the fungus, grow a healthy nail.As the plate grows back, the affected area is cut off, without stopping to process the nail in the morning and evening.

A special ointment helps with neglected nail fungus – 1 egg, 1 tsp are mixed in a plate. demitylphtolate (mosquito repellent), 1 tablespoon each vegetable oil and 70% apple cider vinegar. All components are mixed, applied to the affected nails. Judging by the reviews, you can get rid of the fungus in just a few procedures and not lose your nail.

General advice

It is no secret that there are different stages of nail recovery after fungal treatment.A person can speed up each of the stages if he avoids the influence of unfavorable factors on the plates. For rehabilitation to be quick and successful, the patient needs to follow a few simple rules and recommendations:

• You need to monitor your daily diet. He must be complete and healthy. Nails will begin to grow faster if valuable trace elements and vitamins enter the body. It is recommended to include in the menu products that are fortified with vitamin C. These are gooseberries, tomatoes, citrus fruits, bell peppers.You also need to pay attention to foods with vitamins A and B. These include carrots, eggs, liver and butter. Greens are no less useful. Such nutrition allows you to accelerate the regenerative function and increase blood circulation in order to increase the saturation of tissues with valuable substances. Brittle nails will help prevent dairy products, buckwheat, apples and bananas;
• It is highly recommended to protect your nails from the negative effects of aggressive substances. Women and men who have coped with onychomycosis are prohibited from contact with cleaning agents and detergents.Hands from them help to protect tight gloves;
• Remember to regularly moisturize the nail plates and the skin around them. Natural oils based on grapes, olive or peach help to cope with this simple task;
• It is worth purchasing a medicinal varnish for yourself, which nourishes and protects the nail from aggressive environmental influences. Some varieties of this agent additionally stimulate the growth of the plates;
• Do not forget to regularly do various baths and applications for nails, which have a positive effect on their growth and general condition.Among the mandatory procedures, it does not hurt to include paraffin compresses, in which a couple of drops of tea tree oil are added. No less useful are the baths of a decoction of chamomile, burdock, sea salt and iodine.

Aligner for nails. I check on myself))

This little thing in the summer and autumn constantly flashed in my offer at Aliexpress. And I went on to say that I bought it. I first called my wife and asked: “Does it work at all?” She looked wisely and said that probably yes.And considering the cheap price, order and find out. Which I gladly did.
In the comments under one of my reviews, I shared photos of this wonderful acquisition, taken immediately after leaving the mail. And then there were people who said that a review should be written on this thing. What am I actually, after more than half a year, and do.
Attention: There are photos of nails in the review. Think carefully if you need to look at this, and even before bed.
P.S. Better read in the morning.

A bit of theory, partially gleaned from the thread under my review, where this was discussed. Although the review seemed to be on a culinary topic, but nails were discussed there. It happens.
There is such a problem as ingrown toenails. Typical for big toes. This is due to the fact that the nail tends to reduce its radius of curvature and at the same time dig into the skin, and also with the fact that people cut their nails incorrectly. They cut the nail at the root and cut the corners at the same time. And this further contributes to the problem.Below is an illustration of how to do it and how not to do it.

What is the consequence? The corners of the nail dig into the skin and the nail continues to grow, further damaging the tissue. As a result, pain, suppuration, inflammation, bleeding and all of the above at the same time. In general, there is little pleasant. And if this business is also launched, then there may already be a surgical intervention.

And I am just one of those people who cut (cut) toenails at the root. And I no longer remember at what moment the corners of my nail began to grow into the skin.Fortunately, I did not have all of the above in full. But painful sensations, extremely unpleasant, were. And if this finger also drove somewhere, for example, into the leg of the table, then the nail pierced the skin until it bleeds. I constantly cut off the corners of the nail, they grew back again, it felt, faster than the rest of the nail. I cut it again and so on in a circle.
And since the subject constantly pissed my eyes on Ali, he was bought to try to solve this problem once and for all.
Looking ahead, I will say that I solved my problem.But this instrument, which in all its appearance resembles a native of the times of the Holy Inquisition, is not a panacea. He simply helps to solve the problem, and the problem is solved by a set of measures. You can’t take this thing, screw it on your finger and bang … and you’re done. No, it won’t. And how will I tell you further …

This is the “alignment” received from Ali

I don’t see any reason to describe it in particular. The nail rest I detached attaches to a neodymium magnet. You rest against the nail with it, hook the hooks on the edges of the nail and screw in the screw.

Here is the actual nail

This is certainly not such a crooked nail as in the pictures from the seller on Ali, but if I had one, I would hardly have inserted it into the review))
First, you need to soften the nail. The easiest way is to steam in a bowl of hot water. You can also lie in the bathroom, swim for an hour or two in the sea, or relax in the jacuzzi. At this point, who has what opportunities.
Then you need to hook the corners of the nail with the hooks of this device and start screwing the screw “into the nail”

It all looks pretty creepy, and is associated, at least for me, with some kind of Elizarov apparatus, only for nails.
Since my nail at this stage has been cut almost to zero, my goal is to “trim” it so as to release the corners that have sunk into the skin

When you feel that it is better not to twist further, you need to stop and sit for a while , be like with this thing. The best way, as for me, is to stick to the computer)))
Then my wife did this to me like this

And so I went to work. In general, this procedure must be repeated periodically and at the same time grow the nail without cutting it.You can only trim. Purpose: so that the nail comes out of the skin and straightens.
In parallel with this, my wife subjected me to some other executions, with the help of a manicure / pedicure milling cutter, which resembles a nozzle for my dremel with Ali

She grinded the skin there, and equalized the nail and did other unpleasant things, without which I probably could have done well.
Nevertheless, the process of aligning the nail took a long time. This was due to the fact that I did not regularly do all of the above.Mainly because of business trips.
But in the end I solved the problem. I apologize for the quality of further photos. Apparently it’s time for me to change my phone.

In these photos, the nail has already grown back and you can see what the effect of the “leveling” is.

And here’s how the final version

you will still need to cling to your nail. Once every two or three months, maybe a little more often.For preventive purposes, so to speak. In order to maintain the nail of this exact shape and prevent it from bending and digging into the skin.
So the answer to the question is, yes, this thing works. As my wife said, we could have done without her, but it would have been much more difficult to do.

Thank you all for your attention.

Why do hair and nails grow?

Hair and nails are made up of cells, just like the rest of the body.But if these cells were alive, innervated, sensitive, then they would not be able to properly perform their protective function. Imagine that the nail hurts when he scratches something – there can be no question of winning a fight in this case!

Therefore, both hair and nails are formed by dead cells that do not feel pain when they are broken or cut. But they grow, you say. How can non-living cells grow?

The fact is that at the very base of each hair and each nail there is a growth zone, where cells are alive and actively dividing.The “daughters” of these cells – at first living small cells – produce a lot of the structural protein keratin, so much that the cell is almost completely filled with it. Keratin is a strong, waterproof protein, it does not allow parts of the cell to “communicate” with each other, and from this the cell dies. New cells formed in the growth zone push the dead cells forward, and as a result, a hair or nail grows back.

Then the next question arises. If the principles of hair and nail growth are the same, why do they have such a different structure? How does the nail manage to be wide, flat and rigid, and the hair thin and flexible?

The answer is simple: the whole point is what is the shape of their growth zone.

The nail growth zone is called matrix and is located under the skin at the very base of the nail. It is long and thick, so a wide and thick nail plate grows out of it. The cells in the nail are arranged in layers, between which there are layers of fat and water. In some diseases, the structure of the nail is disturbed, and it begins to exfoliate.

And hair grows from a small round pouch called hair follicle , and therefore turns out to be long, thin and round in cross section.The structure of the hair is heterogeneous. The outer part of them is called the cuticle and is formed by small cells, scales. If they are pressed together tightly, like pieces of roof tiles, the hair looks smooth and shiny, and if tousled, the hair looks dull and unkempt. These keratin flakes are very popular with shampoo ads. Under the cuticle is the cortex, or cortex, which consists of elongated cells that support the hair structure. It contains the pigment melanin, which gives hair color.And in the very middle of the hair is the medulla, or medulla. It is practically structureless and consists of loose soft cells and voids between them. In some hair (for example, in small vellus, covering almost all of our body) this layer is absent.

Answered: Vera Bashmakova

Removal of an ingrown nail in Kolpino at the “Caring Doctor” medical center

In medicine, ingrowth of the nail into the skin of the periungual roller is called – Onychocryptosis .

With onychocryptosis, the free edge of the nail plate penetrates into the adjacent periungual roller from the sides, less often into the soft tissues of the nail bed.

An ingrown nail is most often formed on the toes, especially on the large one, which is facilitated by its anatomical and physiological features: the largest nail, voluminous periungual ridges. In addition, it is primarily subject to mechanical impact from the shoe: compression, friction.

Causes of ingrown toenail

• genetic predisposition: peculiarities of nail growth, enlarged periungual fold;
• poor quality pedicure;
• Incorrect nail clipping;
• fungal infection;
• foot deformities: flat feet and others;
• wearing tight tight shoes;
• Injuries to fingers and nail plates with damage to the matrix.

Clinic, symptoms

1. As the nail grows into the soft tissues surrounding the nail plate, they are constantly traumatized with the formation of a wound surface.
2. The wound bleeds, a secondary infection joins, purulent foci are formed in the region of the periungual ridge.
3. Under the influence of bacterial or fungal flora, the skin color of the roller changes – it becomes cyanotic. Soreness occurs, which increases with movement and walking.
4. At advanced stages of the disease, granulations from connective tissue grow on the nail bed, hyperplastic scars and foci of keratosis are formed. The process becomes chronic with periodic relapses.

The reason for contacting the surgeon is:

• The appearance of edema around the ingrown nail, skin redness, painful sensations.
• Increased pain with pressure on the finger in the area of ​​the nail plate, as well as when walking.
• Development of suppuration and leakage of purulent exudate from under the nail plate.
• Excessive growth of the periungual ridge.
• The presence of concomitant diseases: diabetes mellitus, vascular pathologies of the lower extremities.

! IMPORTANT: Ignoring these symptoms leads to chronicity of the pathological process and the development of such serious complications as abscess, osteomyelitis, lymphadenitis, gangrene of the toe.

Diagnostics, methods of treatment

Since the clinical picture of the disease is quite characteristic, this allows the surgeon to make the correct diagnosis after examination.

Preoperative preparation includes:

• Complete blood count.
• Blood glucose testing – detection of diabetes mellitus.
• If a fungal infection of the nail is suspected, a microbiological examination of a piece of the nail plate is performed.
• In the chronic course of the disease, an x-ray is taken to exclude the involvement of the bone tissue of the phalanx of the thumb in the pathological process.

Surgeons use the following types of surgery to remove an ingrown nail:

• Resection – cutting out the part of the nail plate that has grown into the soft tissue surrounding the nail.
• Radical nail removal , when the nail plate is completely excised, abnormal granulations are scraped out, while preserving the tissues of the growth zone.
• Plastic surgery of the subungual bed – after removal of the plate, the marginal fragments of the growth zone are destroyed so that the growing nail becomes narrower and does not grow into the skin.

The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts 20-30 minutes. At the final stage, an aseptic dressing is applied to the wound.If necessary, the patient is prescribed antibiotic therapy and pain relievers.

In the first days after the operation, it is recommended to provide the leg with complete rest, and in the future to protect it from injuries and increased physical exertion.

The duration of the recovery period depends on the volume of the intervention performed, surgical tactics, age and concomitant diseases (the presence of diabetes mellitus significantly delays the time of complete healing).

Benefits of seeking medical care at the “Caring Doctor” Kolpino

If you are faced with the problem of an ingrown toenail, do not try to cope with it with the help of folk remedies – these experiments can end up with complications in the form of abscesses, osteomyelitis, for the treatment of which surgical intervention in stationary conditions and a long recovery period are required.