Sophia Delgado
Fingernails and toenails are made up of dead cells, but they are anchored to the nail bed by the nail matrix, which is a living part of the nail. The nail matrix is responsible for the growth of new nails. If the visible part of the nail is damaged, it will grow back, but it will take time and patience. Fingernails grow at a rate of about one-tenth of a millimeter or one-tenth of an inch per month. Toenails grow at about one-half or one-third of the rate of fingernails. Therefore, it can take up to six months for a fingernail to grow back and up to 18 months for a toenail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail regeneration | Yes, nails have good regeneration capacity |
| Nail growth speed | Fingernails may grow one-tenth of a millimeter each day, while toenails grow at about half or one-third the rate of fingernails |
| Nail growth time | Completely removed fingernails usually grow within 6 months, while toenails may take up to 18 months |
| Factors affecting nail growth | Aging, diseases, peripheral artery disease, certain medications, skin conditions, and injuries can affect nail growth speed and appearance |
| Nail care | Proper nail trimming, cleaning, and protection are important to prevent and treat nail injuries |
| Nail infections | Bacterial and fungal infections are common and can be treated with home remedies or medical care |
| Cuticles | Small strips of skin at the bottom of the nail that protect against germs and infections; should not be pushed back or cut too short to avoid infection risk |
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What You'll Learn
- Fingernails can grow back within 6 months
- Toenails can take up to 18 months to grow back
- Nail matrix injuries can cause bruising, ridges or discolouration
- The cuticle is a small strip of skin that protects the nail bed from germs
- Home remedies for treating yellow toenails include using baking soda or vitamin E
Fingernails can grow back within 6 months
Fingernails are made up of cells produced in the nail matrix, which is the part of your body responsible for making new fingernails and toenails. The nail matrix is located under the base of your nail, and injuries or certain health conditions can damage it and interfere with nail growth. For example, peripheral artery disease, which causes reduced blood flow to your legs and feet, can affect your nail matrix and slow down nail growth. Chemotherapy and other medications can also cause temporary changes to your nail matrix, such as Beau's lines (white bands across your nails) and slower nail growth.
However, even if your fingernail falls off due to injury or other reasons, it will usually grow back within six months with proper medical care. The rate of regrowth can vary from person to person and may be influenced by factors such as overall health, age, climate, and the dominance of the hand. For example, nails tend to grow slower in older adults and in colder climates, while nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster. Additionally, your overall health can impact nail growth, with sickness and malnutrition potentially slowing it down, and pregnancy speeding it up.
To promote healthy nail growth, you can take biotin supplements and ensure you are getting proper nutrition. While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, strengthening your nails through proper care can help prevent them from breaking and allow them to remain long as they grow. Proper nail care includes regular clipping, which is safer than nail biting, and trimming fingernails with a slight curve at the edges without cutting them too short.
In summary, while it may take some patience, fingernails typically grow back within six months, and you can support their regrowth by maintaining the overall health of your nails and body.
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Toenails can take up to 18 months to grow back
Fingernails and toenails are made in the nail matrix, which is the part of your body responsible for creating new nails. Toenails can take a long time to grow back, sometimes even longer than fingernails, which typically take around 4 to 6 months to regrow. Toenails, on the other hand, can take up to 18 months to fully regrow. This is because toenails tend to grow more slowly than fingernails.
There are several reasons why someone might lose a toenail. Trauma is one of the most common reasons, which could be due to stubbing your toe, dropping something heavy on your foot, or wearing ill-fitting shoes that put repeated pressure on your toes. Toenails can also be lost due to fungal infections, which cause the nail to become thick and brittle, or other medical conditions such as diabetes, which can affect nail health and cause slower nail growth.
The time it takes for a toenail to regrow depends on various factors, including age, health, the extent of the damage, and individual biology. Younger people tend to have faster-growing nails than older adults, and good nutrition, exercise, and overall health can positively impact the speed of nail regrowth. Poor circulation or health conditions can slow the process. Additionally, if the nail matrix, the part of the nail responsible for nail growth, is damaged, regrowth could be delayed, or the nail might grow back misshapen.
Proper care and treatment of the injured area are crucial for promoting faster healing and regrowth. Keeping the area clean and protected from further injury is important. In some cases, professional help from a podiatrist or other specialist may be necessary, especially if the toenail was lost due to a fungal infection or other medical condition. With proper care and, if needed, professional help, you can help ensure that your toenail grows back healthy and strong.
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Nail matrix injuries can cause bruising, ridges or discolouration
Fingernails and toenails are made in the nail matrix, which is the "factory" where your body produces new nails. Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and affect how your nails look or grow. Nail matrix injuries can cause bruising, ridges, or discolouration.
Bruising
If you have a bruise under your nail, you may benefit from a procedure that drains the trapped blood. This procedure is called nail trephination and should be performed within 48 hours of the injury, before your blood clots. Nail trephination provides pain relief and helps your new nail grow in correctly.
Ridges
Ridges can occur longitudinally from the cicatricial build-up in or beneath the matrix, with the nail assuming the shape of the matrix. To correct this, the matrix or deeper ridge must be surgically excised. Transverse ridges can be caused by regrowth after trauma or hypoxia. A longitudinal or oblique scar may result in a split nail deformity, as the scar cannot produce a nail, and the surrounding pull splits the nail.
Discolouration
Brown or black discolouration on your nail could be a sign of subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer that affects your nail matrix. Seek medical care if you see any colour changes in a single nail. Any change to the appearance or texture of one or more of your nails could be a sign of a nail matrix problem.
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The cuticle is a small strip of skin that protects the nail bed from germs
Fingernails and toenails can grow back after being injured, although it may take several weeks for the new nail to appear. In rare cases, severe damage to the nail matrix can cause permanent damage, preventing the nail from growing back.
The cuticle is a small, clear strip of skin located along the bottom edge of the nail bed. It is connected to the proximal nail fold, which is the skin that borders the bottom of the nail and keeps it in place as it grows. Together, the cuticle and the proximal nail fold protect the nail bed from germs and bacteria as the nail grows out from the nail root. This area is delicate and can easily get dry, damaged, and infected. Therefore, it is important to keep the nail bed clean and moisturized to maintain nail health.
Cuticle care is essential for maintaining nail health and protecting the nail area from infection. Cuticle oil, cream, or moisturizer can be applied to hydrate the cuticle and the proximal nail fold. It is generally recommended to avoid cutting or trimming the cuticle and the proximal nail fold, as doing so can increase the risk of infection or inflammation. Instead, it is advisable to use special tools to safely trim the cuticles and to avoid nail salons that do not sanitize their instruments.
Biting nails or picking at the cuticles can create tiny cracks in the nails or cuts in the skin, allowing bacteria and germs to enter and potentially causing infections such as paronychia. Paronychia is an inflammation of the skin around the nail, often resulting from bacteria entering through cuts or broken skin. It can also be caused by irritation from water or chemicals, trauma to the nail bed or cuticle area, and certain medications. Most bacterial nail infections can be treated with antibiotics, although some cases may require minor procedures such as drainage.
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Home remedies for treating yellow toenails include using baking soda or vitamin E
Yellow toenails are typically caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This fungus causes the toenail to appear thick, yellowish-brown, brittle, and distorted, which makes them appear ragged. In rare cases, yellow toenails can be a sign of a disease called yellow nail syndrome, characterised by a triad of thickened yellow nails, primary lymphedema, and respiratory manifestations.
Home remedies for treating yellow toenails include using baking soda. To do this, soak the affected nail in hot water mixed with baking soda. Ensure the water is warm and not too hot. This treatment is not recommended for people with diabetes, who are susceptible to burns due to undetected diabetic neuropathies. Baking soda can help absorb moisture that may cause toenail fungus. It may also possess fungistatic properties, meaning it does not kill fungi but can prevent them from growing.
Another home remedy for treating yellow toenails is vitamin E. Include a good amount of foods rich in vitamin E, such as sunflower or soybean oil, almonds, peanuts, spinach, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds. You can also apply vitamin E oil to the infected nail multiple times a day.
Other home remedies for treating yellow toenails include antifungal nail creams, menthol products, and certain oils, such as tea tree oil. Mild infections can often be treated using home remedies and over-the-counter antifungal medications. However, if there are no improvements or complications occur as a result of home remedies, people should speak with a doctor and stop using the home remedy as soon as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, fingernails have good regeneration capacity and will grow back, but it may take up to six months.
If your fingernail is detached, you must remove any jewellery, clean the area with soap and water, trim the nail, stop the bleeding, apply ice and elevate the area. For more serious injuries, you should go to an urgent care centre or the emergency room.
Vitamins that are believed to be beneficial for nails include biotin, folic acid/vitamin B9 and vitamin D.
