Caleb Foster
Losing a toenail or fingernail can be painful and worrying. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in our skin and hair. They grow from the matrix, or root of the nail, and are constantly pushing out older nail cells. Nails have a good regeneration capacity, but they grow slowly. Fingernails can take up to six months to grow back, while toenails can take up to 18 months. Trauma or injury can cause nail loss, as can fungal infections, skin conditions, and chemical damage. In some cases, severe damage to the nail matrix can cause permanent nail loss.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail regrowth time | 6 months for fingernails, 18 months for toenails |
| Factors affecting regrowth speed | Age, climate, season, hand dominance, trauma, injury, overall health, hormones, and pregnancy |
| Reasons for nail loss | Trauma, injury, fungal infection, skin conditions, chemicals, medications, severe illnesses, and other health conditions |
| Nail matrix | The "factory" where new nails are produced; damage to the nail matrix can affect nail growth |
| Nail growth process | New cells form in the matrix, pushing out older cells that harden and turn into nails |
| Home treatment | Keeping the area dry, clean, and covered; filing or trimming sharp edges; removing artificial nails |
| Medical care | Onychectomy (partial or complete nail removal); postoperative care and monitoring for physical activity adjustments |
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What You'll Learn
- Nails grow back slowly, taking up to 6 months for fingernails and 18 months for toenails
- Factors like age, climate, season, and health affect nail growth rate
- Trauma or injury can cause nail loss and may slow or increase regrowth
- Fungal infections can cause nail discolouration, thickness, and separation
- The nail matrix is where new nail cells are created, and damage to it can impact nail growth
Nails grow back slowly, taking up to 6 months for fingernails and 18 months for toenails
Nails have a good regeneration capacity, but they grow back slowly. It takes about six months or longer for a fingernail to grow back, and toenails can take even longer, with regrowth taking up to 18 months. The rate of nail growth depends on several factors. For instance, nails tend to grow slower in older adults and in colder climates. Nails on the dominant hand also tend to grow faster than those on the non-dominant hand. Additionally, trauma or injury can increase the rate of regrowth due to increased blood flow to the injured area. Overall health also impacts nail growth, with sickness or malnutrition potentially slowing it down. Hormones can also affect regrowth, and so toenails and fingernails may grow quicker during pregnancy.
Nails grow from the matrix, the root of the nail located deep beyond the cuticles. The matrix is made up of special cells that produce new cells that become nails. As these new cells grow, they push older cells up and out, and these older cells die and harden to become the nails. The nail matrix is responsible for about 90% of nail growth, while the remaining 10% comes from the sterile matrix, which is also important in keeping the nail attached to the skin.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Minor damage to the nail matrix can temporarily change the nail's appearance, while more severe damage can cause the nail to fall off. In cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back. However, it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, and with proper medical care, healthy nails can grow back.
To promote nail growth after an injury, it is important to keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage. Watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus. Home treatments can help relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent infection. Treatment may involve removing the nail, keeping the area dry, and waiting for a new nail to grow. Filing any sharp edges or trimming the nail can help prevent catching the nail and tearing it further. Covering the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage can protect the finger or toe until the nail has grown out enough.
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Factors like age, climate, season, and health affect nail growth rate
Fingernails and toenails grow back, but it takes time—up to six months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail. Various factors influence the rate of nail growth, including age, climate, season, and health.
Age plays a role in nail growth, with older adults experiencing slower nail growth. Research indicates that as early as age 20, the growth rate of nails begins to slow gradually, with a reduction of about 0.5% per year. This change in speed may be attributed to a decrease in blood circulation as we age.
Climate and seasonality also impact nail growth. Nails tend to grow slower in colder climates and during certain seasons. Conversely, nail growth is typically faster during the summer months.
Overall health is another critical factor influencing nail growth. Nutritional deficiencies, chronic illnesses, and medical conditions can affect the growth rate. For example, conditions like thyroid disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis have been linked to fragile and slow-growing nails. Hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during pregnancy, can also lead to variations in nail growth rates.
In summary, while nails do grow back, the rate of growth is influenced by a combination of factors, including age, climate, season, and overall health. These factors collectively contribute to the unique growth pattern of each individual's nails.
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Trauma or injury can cause nail loss and may slow or increase regrowth
Trauma or injury can cause nail loss and may affect the speed of regrowth. A fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail, by closing a finger or toe in a door or drawer, or by pinching or crushing the finger or toe. This can result in blood under the nail, a condition called subungual haematoma. A nail may also be accidentally torn or split, or a splinter can get under the nail.
In the case of an injury, a toenail might turn black and fall off. Toenail regrowth tends to be slower after an injury or trauma, taking anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. However, there are conflicting opinions on whether trauma or injury increases or decreases the rate of regrowth. Some sources claim that nail regrowth tends to be slower after an injury due to the potential for severe nail matrix damage. The nail matrix is the tissue inside the cuticle at the base of the nail where new nails are formed. In cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back.
On the other hand, some sources suggest that trauma or injury increases the rate of regrowth due to an increase in blood flow to the injured area. Overall health also impacts nail growth, which can be slower in older adults, in colder climates, and in individuals who are sick or malnourished. Nails also tend to grow faster in the summer and on the dominant hand.
Regardless of the rate of regrowth, it is important to properly manage nail injuries to ensure quick healing and prevent late deformities. Home treatment can help relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent infection. This may involve keeping the area dry, covering the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage, and filing or trimming any sharp edges to prevent further tearing.
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Fungal infections can cause nail discolouration, thickness, and separation
Fungal nail infections are characterised by nail discolouration, thickness, and separation. They are caused by fungi that invade a fingernail or toenail and the skin underneath the nail (nail bed). Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, and symptoms include cracked, yellow, streaked, thickened, or spotted nails. The infection usually starts at the edge of the nail before spreading to the rest of it, causing the nail to become white and yellow, crumbly, and easy to break.
Fungal nail infections are unlikely to get better without treatment and can take a long time to treat. Over-the-counter and prescription products can treat nail fungus, but it can take 12 to 18 months for the fungus to grow out. A pharmacist may suggest an antifungal nail medicine that you brush onto the nail. You will need to use this regularly for a few months before you start to see an improvement, and you should keep using the treatment until advised to stop. If pharmacy treatments do not work, a GP may prescribe antifungal tablets. Before starting treatment, a GP will take a sample of the nail to test what kind of infection is present. They may also need to do a blood test before and during treatment to check that the liver is working properly.
Fungal nail infections are caused by the same type of fungus that causes athlete's foot, which thrives in warm, dark, and moist places like the feet. The infection can spread from other people, so you are more likely to get it if you walk barefoot in places like communal showers and gyms. Keeping your feet constantly warm and damp, such as by wearing trainers for long periods, can also cause the infection.
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The nail matrix is where new nail cells are created, and damage to it can impact nail growth
Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in our skin and hair. They protect the soft tissues beneath them and keep the tips of our toes and fingers safe. Nails grow from underneath our skin at the matrix, which is the root of the nail. The nail matrix is the "factory" where new nail cells are created by the body.
The nail matrix and lunula are part of the nail's overall structure, which also includes the cuticle, lateral nail fold, nail plate, nail bed, and proximal nail fold. The lunula is the white crescent shape at the base of your nail and is the only visible part of your nail matrix. However, some people don't have visible lunulas, which is normal. The nail matrix is made of special cells that create new cells that become your fingernails or toenails. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix, while the remaining 10% comes from the sterile matrix, which is also responsible for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Minor damage to the nail matrix can temporarily change the nail's appearance, while severe injuries can cause the nail to fall off. In cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back. However, with proper medical care, nails usually grow back, and it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged. Once the nail matrix heals, the nail will typically start to grow again.
The rate of nail regrowth can vary depending on various factors. Nails tend to grow slower in older adults, in colder climates, and when the overall health of the individual is poor. Nails grow faster in the summer, and during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Additionally, nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster than those on the non-dominant hand. Trauma or injury can increase the rate of regrowth due to increased blood flow to the injured area.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, nails have good regeneration capacity, but they grow slowly.
Fingernails may grow one-tenth of a millimeter each day, so completely removed fingernails usually grow within 4 to 6 months.
Toenails may grow at about half or one-third the rate of fingernails, so completely removed toenails may grow within 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 18 months.
The number one cause for nails falling off or becoming loose is trauma. This could look like dropping something heavy on your toenail, stubbing your toe, or not trimming a long toenail and spending a whole day on your feet.
Keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown back. Watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus.
