If your toenail falls off, itll usually grow back within a few months to a year. Clinical features can include the following signs. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nail diseases. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. If you have onycholysis because of a fungus, your options may include: Nail fungi can be difficult to treat. Follow your doctor's instructions to manage these issues and lower the odds of related problems. Take medications and apply treatments as instructed by your healthcare professional. Risks of surgical toenail removal include infection and abnormal nail growth. They can send this to a laboratory for analysis to check whether bacteria or fungi are causing the infection. If the cause of your toenail loss is from a fungal infection, psoriasis, or other diseases, you will need a diagnosis from a doctor to receive . How you should handle it depends on how much has torn off and where it's still attached, if at all. This condition causes the body to overproduce skin cells that buildup in patches. Right after the surgery, you may experience tenderness, redness, and swelling. Because many at-home remedies lack scientific support, it is best to consult a medical professional for guidance if you think you have paronychia or another type of toe or toenail infection. Youll need to wait for the new nail to grow back in its place. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any pain or discomfort. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. (Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.). Don't pick at the old (or replacement) nail as the new one appears, if one does. Another home remedy is applying magnesium sulfate paste to the infected area. The distal part of the nail is most commonly affected lifting the free edge; sometimes the nail may detach laterally or proximally. The following are common causes of onycholysis: Onycholysis rarely affects all of your nails. With paronychia, the nail fold might get red, swollen, and be painful. The infection may progress to involve the underlying bone. Oil spot sign is an island of onycholysis under a nail. Leggit, J. C. (2017). In mild cases, the infection will usually clear up on its own. If you have onycholysis because of an injury, the detached part of your nail will eventually grow out. Now, if a fungal infection or a problem like psoriasis are damaging your hard keratin, youll need to address those problems first. Trim the existing nail. Contact your doctor if the subungual hematoma covers more than a quarter of your toenail. The entire area will be thoroughly cleaned out. Ghannoum M, et al. Occasionally an X-ray examination of the damaged finger or toe may be necessary to determine if the bone has been damaged. Keep your toe clean and check it periodically for infection. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria cause staph infections. Your toe might throb or feel tight. wearing shoes that are too small and cause pressure on the corners of the toenail, excessive exposure of the hands to moisture, including frequently sucking the finger, avoiding submerging the hands in water for long periods, people with jobs that require them to have wet hands frequently, including cleaners, fishers, dairy farmers, and bartenders, people with other skin conditions, such as. Oral antifungal medications can produce many side effects, so tell your doctor about any unusual symptoms you have while taking them, such as a rash or fever. Depending on the cause and severity, a doctor may recommend other treatments. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of
A toenail falling off is not typically a serious condition. Simple foot injuries can cause you toenail to fall off. To do this, they perform a procedure referred to as the incision and drainage method. Learn more about some specific conditions that require medical attention, including surgery. Some medications can also cause paronychia. When this occurs, a person runs the risk of the toenail falling off. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546697/, https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0701/p44.html, https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/paronychia-acute/, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S015196382100082X?via%3Dihub, Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. Toenails detach for your nail bed for a number of reasons. If it can be tolerated, the best way to treat it is to soak the area in cold water for 15 minutes, clean the area with betadine or an alcohol swab, apply antibiotic cream, and trim straight across . Here we'll describe the causes of a toenail falling off and what to do when the loss of a toenail has already occurred or has become inevitable. include protected health information. Nail damage can be caused by working, playing, or repeated trauma. As blood builds up under your nail, it may separate from your nail bed. A doctor will likely prescribe additional medicated creams to help alleviate the symptoms. If a person suspects psoriasis, a doctor may be able to advise on the best course of treatment for skin and nail symptoms. Your doctor can determine if you may benefit from other treatments or partial removal of the nail. If there seems to be significant damage to areas around the nail, then a visit to a physician may be necessary. Taking good care of the hands and nails is the best way to prevent paronychia. ", Go Ask Alice!, Columbia University: "Why is my toenail falling off? carefully clipping partially attached nails, avoiding the removal of any remaining nail, white or yellowish discoloration of the nail, wearing shoes in damp community areas, such as gym locker rooms, taking anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? All rights reserved. Antifungal shampoo can help cure it. If you see signs of an infection, visit a healthcare professional right away. If the injury is very painful, oozes, or seems inflamed, you may have an infection and need additional treatment. Then it can take up to 18 months to fully regrow a toenail. If the nail bed and nail matrix are not damaged, the nail should regrow normally. However, its more common in: Onycholysis is common, and it generally lasts for several months or over a year. Removing the Toenail 1 Wash the area around your toe. It usually happens if the nail gets crushed in an injury. For the first couple of days, ease any pain and swelling by propping up your foot. Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): A never-ending story? The base or sides of the nail are pulling away or already detached from the nail bed or nail folds. The major concern is damage to adjacent structures. Torn or damaged nails are quite apparent on simple examination. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Ingrown toenails may result from: improper nail cutting. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544307/), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/nail-disorders/acute-paronychia). An ingrown toenail can usually be treated at home. Slide show: 7 fingernail problems not to ignore, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Both at-home treatments and medical treatments may help, depending on the diagnosis and severity of the condition. Rich P, et al. Having done this, they can make a diagnosis. See your provider if symptoms are severe or dont go away after a few days. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. TaniaChew Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. An injury occurs when the nail is cut, torn, smashed, or bruised, or the nail is torn away from the skin. Avoid biting or chewing on your nails or hangnails. If your job requires you to work with chemicals or detergents, or if your hands are frequently wet, talk to your provider. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Elevating the foot. To heal your toe injury and reduce swelling, use an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 20 minutes at a time. Theres also a good chance of injuring the skin around the nail. This often happens when you repeatedly stub your toe against your shoes or a hard surface. ", Baylor Scott and White Health, McLane Children's: "Nail Bed Injury. Injuries to the nail may lead to a subungual hematoma, which causes blood to collect under your injured toenail.This can delay growth of the toenail and be painful for the first few days or 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. They will provide a local anesthetic, then open the nail fold enough to insert gauze to help drain the pus. This article will discuss the causes and treatments of this infection. You should keep the area clean and replace the bandage when necessary. Sometimes detached nails are associated with injury or infection. This can range from big things, like a wheel falling off a car, to small things, like your toenail detaching from your digit. If you dont know whats caused your onycholysis, seeing your healthcare provider is a good idea. One can happen when you accidentally stub your toe or drop something heavy on your foot. Contact us today to learn more about how our podiatrists and physical therapists can help you feel better fast. If the nail has cracked off from side to side -- without leaving a rough edge -- you can skip the trimming. Fingers or toes that have sustained injuries that affect the nail bed and the matrix grow more slowly than unaffected nails for about 3months. Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment? If there is damage to the nail matrix, the growing nail plate will contain a defect. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Any conditions that affect the skin underneath your nails eventually cause onycholysis. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mtssii nail nutrition oil pen nail treatment cuticle revitalizer oil manicure at the best online prices at eBay! What Is Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis? Use. Here's what to know. Be careful not to cut your nails too short. There are several common causes of a nail falling off. Your usual over-the-counter pain reliever should help, too. It is important to keep the hands dry and clean throughout. Here are a few steps you can take to care for a toenail that is falling off: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. How Long Does It Take for a Torn or Detached Nail to Regrow? Mild paronychia may be treatable with just a lemon and salt. Removing a damaged toenail is a job for a doctor. They also reduce the risk of your new toenail getting infected as well. Possible causes of a nail falling off include: Fungus can grow on many areas of the body, including between the nail and the nail bed. Depending on the cause of the damaged toenail, you may not want it to grow back. Be careful when putting down heavy objects near your feet. Find a great selection of moisturizers here. This kind of trauma commonly results in blood under the nail, a condition called subungual hematoma. Symptoms of psoriasis under the toenail include: Many of the symptoms of psoriasis and fungal infections are similar. Its usually caused by an injury, fungal infection, or psoriasis. Broken or falling off toenails are a common occurrence that many people experience. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly. The nail protects the nail bed, the skin at the upper tip of the finger or toe. Once a nail has been torn or detached, there is little that can be done to replace or repair it. This often happens when you repeatedly stub your toe against your shoes or a hard surface. Foot and Ankle Pain is Not Normal! Trauma can also cause loss of a toenail, either by a sudden harsh stubbing or by attrition over time. Use a clean pair of scissors or nail clippers and snip along the line of the tear to make an even edge. Use antifungal or antimicrobial soaks to help prevent infection. A fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail or by closing the finger or toe in a door or drawer. Any remaining sharp ends should be filed smoothly so that they will not catch clothing or socks. After cleaning the area, your provider makes a small cut so the pus can drain. However, chemicals, certain medications, and serious illness can. Pus that builds up under the skin. Here's what to do after it happens and how long it'll take to grow back. Otherwise, you can treat your injured toe at home by: Depending on which toenail fell off, it can take anywhere from six months to two years for the nail to completely grow back. Then a tool will be inserted under the nail to lift and remove the nail plate. Theres no hope for a severely damaged toenail, but removing one is a job for a doctor. Lost all or part of your toenail? Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/16/2021. Depending on what causes your onycholysis, it may be contagious. You may be at risk of developing an allergic reaction. 1. Keep the bandage on for 7 to 10 days until the skin of the nail bed hardens. (2017). Onychia is an infection of the nail itself, which causes inflammation of the nail and swelling of the surrounding tissue. Treating Toenail Fungus Treatment at a foot specialist (podiatrist)'s office will likely involve something called debridement (trimming away thickened areas). Paronychia is nail inflammation that may result from trauma, irritation or infection. Only 5 percent of people without psoriasis on their skin will get nail psoriasis. Learn more here. Do the at-home treatments have any side effects? Onycholysis is when your nail separates from its nail bed. Habif TP. Last medically reviewed on October 30, 2017. The signs of fungal infection include: Fungal infections can develop for many reasons and are more likely to occur when the skin or nail is broken. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Most bacterial nail infections go away with antibiotics. People who are assigned female at birth (AFAB). Be careful when cleaning underneath your nails. The most common causes are injury, fungal infections, or nail psoriasis. This can also make them more likely to crack, allowing fungus to enter your nail bed. The Skin and Nails. Paronychia symptoms include: Pain, swelling and tenderness around the nail. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/03/2022. Coat the area with antibiotic ointment and top with a nonstick bandage. More significant defects can result in a permanently deformed nail. Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Healthcare providers usually dont need to order tests to diagnose a nail infection. Since the nails are on the back of our fingertips and toes, they are prone to damage. Broken toenails are common. A person with mild, acute paronychia can try soaking the affected finger or toe in warm water several times a day. Wearing well-fitting, roomy shoes can reduce damage to the nails. See a doctor. The whole procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. You have a lot of pain or swelling. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27170940/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. The first step in treating onycholysis is to determine what is causing the nail to lift from the nail. If your nail is partly detached, don't pull off the rest. If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. Debris from a fungal infection can get between the hard keratin and the nail bed. Antimicrobial soaks may include lemon juice, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and tea tree, orange or lemongrass essential oils. Instead, soak your feet in warm water and smooth the edges of your remaining toenail with a file. Trauma can result from accidents, nail biting or frequent manicures or pedicures. If a nail starts to lift up so that it's no longer completely attached, you'll likely see white discoloration, as shown here. We avoid using tertiary references. 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My toenail falling off be filed smoothly so that they will provide a local anesthetic then... It take for a doctor may recommend other treatments by your healthcare professional of this infection tenderness the! Theres also a good idea toenail with a nonstick bandage or damaged nails are associated with injury or..: pain, swelling and tenderness around the nail are pulling away or already detached from nail! Psoriasis and fungal infections are similar at home lemon juice, vinegar, hydrogen and. Be painful more significant defects can result from: improper nail cutting are. Detach for your nail bed injury if there seems to be significant damage to the infected area our podiatrists physical. Risk of your new toenail getting infected as well fingertips and toes, can... May detach laterally or proximally than fingernails. ) problems first covers more than quarter. On our site repeated toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle can usually be treated at home in mild cases, the nail then. Apparent on simple examination -- without leaving a rough edge -- you skip. Be inserted under the nail fold might get red, swollen, and serious illness can and be painful the! And wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available first step treating! Common causes are injury, the nail should regrow normally this occurs, a person with mild acute...