Caleb Foster
Dead toenails are often caused by blood blisters that develop beneath the nail, causing the skin underneath to die and the nail to separate and lift away from the toe. Other causes include fungal infections, injuries, and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis. While it is possible to remove a dead toenail at home, it is not recommended as it can lead to serious complications and damage to the nail bed. Instead, it is advisable to consult a doctor or podiatrist, who can perform quick and safe office-based procedures to remove the nail and address any underlying issues. Proper aftercare is crucial to prevent infections and ensure the nail grows back properly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you remove a dead nail? | It is not advisable to remove a dead nail at home as it can lead to serious complications and damage to the nail bed. |
| When to seek medical attention | If the pain does not subside, or there are signs of infection such as swelling, pus, or redness, seek medical attention. If the nail is falling off, or there is a large hematoma, intense pain, or throbbing, a doctor may relieve pressure by creating a small hole for blood to drain. |
| Removal procedure | A doctor will separate the nail from the skin, insert a tool to lift and remove the nail plate, clean the area, and apply antibiotic ointment. |
| Regrowth | Toenails can take up to 18 months to fully regrow. |
| Prevention | Keep nails well-trimmed and wear well-fitting shoes and socks to prevent further injury. |
| Causes | Dead toenails are often caused by blood blisters under the nail, fungal infections, injuries, medication side effects, autoimmune diseases like psoriasis, or failed fungal treatments. |
| Symptoms | Signs of a dead toenail include discoloration, curving, accumulation of debris, and pain when wearing shoes. |
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What You'll Learn
Consult a doctor to prevent infection and other problems
While you can remove a dead nail at home, consulting a doctor is the best option to prevent infection and other problems. Firstly, a doctor can determine the cause and full scope of the problem, which could be anything from trauma to fungal infection or complications from an ingrown toenail. For example, if you have psoriasis, a common autoimmune disorder that can cause toenails to fall off, a doctor can rule out a fungal infection, which has similar symptoms.
Secondly, a doctor can safely perform toenail removal procedures in minutes, and much more safely than you can at home. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications, such as introducing bacteria, which could cause a toe infection. A doctor will separate the nail from the skin, lift and remove the nail plate, clean the area, and apply an antibiotic ointment to lower the chances of infection.
Thirdly, a doctor can advise you on the best course of action for your specific case. Depending on the cause and severity of the problem, you may not want the toenail to grow back. A doctor can surgically remove the nail matrix to prevent regrowth, or apply a chemical solution to prevent regrowth.
Finally, a doctor can advise on aftercare and help ensure the toenail grows back properly. Toenails can take up to 18 months to fully regrow, and during this time, you may experience tenderness, redness, and swelling. A doctor will advise you to elevate the affected toe to decrease pain and swelling and may recommend that you wear well-fitting shoes and socks and keep the nail well-trimmed to prevent further injury.
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Drain any blisters before removing the nail
While it is not recommended to remove a damaged toenail at home, there are certain steps you can take to ensure relative safety if you choose to do so. One of the most important steps is to drain any blisters before removing the nail.
Dead toenails are often created when blood blisters develop beneath the nail. This is called a subungual hematoma. The blister causes the skin underneath the nail to die, and once that skin dies, the nail separates and lifts away from the toe. If your toenail has died for another reason, such as a fungal infection, there will likely be no blister to drain.
If you notice a blister, it is important to drain it before attempting to remove the nail. This will help relieve pain and pressure. To drain the blister, you can make a small hole in the nail to allow the fluid to flow out. It is important to only drain the blister from the same hole you created previously. This will help prevent further damage to the nail and the surrounding skin.
It is crucial to note that you should never attempt to drain a blister or hematoma at home, especially if you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or any problems with your immune system. Always seek medical care for proper drainage to reduce the risk of infection and ensure appropriate healing.
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Wash your toe with soapy water
It is important to wash your toe with soapy water before attempting to remove a dead nail. This is because cleaning your foot, toe, and nail area can help prevent infection.
Firstly, wash your hands with soap and water. Then, wash your toe and nail area with warm water and gentle soap. You can also soak your toe in warm and slightly soapy water for about 10 minutes. If you have a blister, try to drain the fluid from it. If the water becomes very soapy, change it before rinsing your feet. After washing, dry your toe and nail area thoroughly with a clean, dry towel.
Once the nail is removed, clean the toe again with warm water and gentle soap. Apply an antibiotic ointment and loosely bandage the toe. Change the bandage regularly while you wait for your toe to heal, which may take around 6 to 12 months. If your entire toenail falls off or your toenail won't stop bleeding, seek immediate medical treatment.
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Trim away the dead nail with clippers
While it is technically possible to remove a dead toenail at home, it is not recommended. A doctor can perform the procedure much more safely and quickly than you can at home. Toenails are made of a tough, non-living substance called keratin, so it doesn't hurt when you trim your nails. However, trimming a dead toenail requires careful clipping to avoid damaging the nail bed, which could result in serious complications and make matters worse.
If you choose to trim your dead toenail at home, it is important to follow certain steps to ensure safety and reduce the risk of infection. Firstly, wash your toe with warm, soapy water to clean the area and reduce the chance of transmitting bacteria. Make sure to dry your toe thoroughly before proceeding.
When trimming the nail, use nail clippers to carefully clip off any portion of the nail that isn't firmly resting against the nail bed. Avoid clipping any healthy portions of the nail. It is important to be gentle and precise during this step to avoid causing further damage.
After trimming, use a nail file to smooth down any jagged or uneven edges on the remaining part of the nail. This will help prevent further injury and reduce the risk of catching on socks or footwear. Again, be careful not to file down the healthy portions of the nail or irritate the surrounding skin.
Once you have finished trimming and filing, clean the area again with soapy water and apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection and encourage healing. Finally, cover the toe with a bandage. Change the bandage regularly while you wait for your toe to heal, which may take around 6 to 18 months.
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Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage the toe
While it is generally advised to consult a doctor to examine or remove a damaged toenail, there are some steps you can take at home to ensure proper aftercare.
If you have a dead toenail, you should first wash your toe with warm, soapy water. Then, use nail clippers to carefully clip off any portion of the nail that isn't firmly attached to the nail bed. It is important to avoid clipping off any healthy portions of the nail. Once you have removed the dead nail, you should expose the raw skin and clean the toe again with warm water and gentle soap.
After cleaning the wound, you should apply a layer of antibiotic ointment to the affected area. This will help encourage healing and reduce the risk of infection. Finally, loosely bandage the toe to protect the area. It is important to keep the wound clean and dressed, and you should change the bandage regularly while waiting for your toe to heal. This process may take around 6 to 18 months, depending on the severity of the damage.
If your entire toenail falls off or your toenail won't stop bleeding, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Dead toenails are often caused by blood blisters that develop beneath the nail, causing the skin underneath to die and the nail to separate and lift away from the toe. Other causes include trauma to the nail, fungal infections, autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, and medication side effects.
No, it is not recommended to remove a dead toenail yourself as it can lead to serious complications and damage to the nail bed. It is best to consult a doctor or podiatrist to examine and safely remove the nail, reducing the risk of infection and other problems.
The doctor will separate the nail from the skin and insert a tool under the nail to lift and remove the nail plate. The area will be cleaned, and antibiotic ointment will be applied to prevent infection. A bandage will then be used to cover the wound. The procedure typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, and the toenail can take up to 18 months to fully regrow.
