Nail Trauma: When And Why A Finger Nail Falls Off

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.”

Nail bruising

If the nail was removed, or if there is a large nail bruise, then the injured nail will probably fall off as a new nail grows back. It will take four to six months for a new fingernail to grow back, and 12 months for a new toenail. Infection can occur, which is more common with bite injuries or contaminated wounds. Infection is also a risk for people with diabetes or AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, those with poor circulation due to any reason, or those who have other problems that may decrease the ability to fight infection.

If the nail lifts completely off the nail bed, it may be most comfortable initially to replace the nail and hold it in place with a bandage. Nails will not reattach themselves to the nail bed after they have separated from it, but in most cases, a new nail will slowly regrow. If blood under the nail occupies more than half of the nail area, a physician should evaluate the finger because it could signify an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. Your doctor also should evaluate bleeding under the nail that is not caused by trauma. If you experience a nail injury, make sure that your tetanus vaccination is up to date.

Nail evulsion

The procedure begins with numbing the finger with a local numbing treatment. Once the finger is numb, the doctor can remove the nail by force. It is important to note that nail lifting completely off the nail bed may require replacing the nail and holding it in place with a bandage.

In some cases, nail injuries can lead to infection, which is more common with bite injuries or contaminated wounds. Infection is also a risk for people with diabetes or AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, those with poor circulation, or those who have other problems that may decrease the ability to fight infection.

If the nail was removed or if there is a large nail bruise, then the injured nail will probably fall off as a new nail grows back. It will take four to six months for a new fingernail to grow back, and 12 months for a new toenail.

In conclusion, nail evulsion is a procedure that involves removing a nail by force when the nail bed is infected. It is important to note that nail injuries can affect the nail plate and the nail bed, which can crack and potentially fall off. If the nail was removed or if there is a large nail bruise, then the injured nail will probably fall off as a new nail grows back.

Infection

If you experience a nail injury, make sure that your tetanus vaccination is up to date.

If the nail was removed, or if there is a large nail bruise, then the injured nail will probably fall off as a new nail grows back. It will take four to six months for a new fingernail to grow back, and 12 months for a new toenail.

Nails will not reattach themselves to the nail bed after they have separated from it, but in most cases, new nail will slowly regrow. If blood under the nail occupies more than half of the nail area, a physician should evaluate the finger because it could signify an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. Your doctor also should evaluate bleeding under the nail that is not caused by trauma.

Once the fingernail falls off, it’s a good idea to protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a Band-Aid.

Blood under the nail

If you have blood under your nail, it could be a sign of an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. If the blood occupies more than half of the nail area, you should seek medical attention.

Nail bruising happens when blunt force crushes the small blood vessels under your skin. Most fingernail injuries affect the nail plate (the hard part of the nail that grows out), which can crack and potentially fall off, and the nail bed (the skin underneath the nail plate), which can bleed and bruise.

If you have blood under your nail, it could be a sign of an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. If the blood occupies more than half of the nail area, you should seek medical attention.

If you have blood under your nail, it could be a sign of an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. If the blood occupies more than half of the nail area, you should seek medical attention.

If you have blood under your nail, it could be a sign of an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. If the blood occupies more than half of the nail area, you should seek medical attention.

New nail growth

Nail bruising happens when blunt force crushes the small blood vessels under your skin. Most fingernail injuries affect the nail plate (the hard part of the nail that grows out), which can crack and potentially fall off, and the nail bed (the skin underneath the nail plate), which can bleed and bruise. If the nail was removed, or if there is a large nail bruise, then the injured nail will probably fall off as a new nail grows back. It will take four to six months for a new fingernail to grow back, and 12 months for a new toenail. Nails will not reattach themselves to the nail bed after they have separated from it, but in most cases, new nail will slowly regrow. If blood under the nail occupies more than half of the nail area, a physician should evaluate the finger because it could signify an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. Your doctor also should evaluate bleeding under the nail that is not caused by trauma. If you experience a nail injury, make sure that your tetanus vaccination is up to date.

Frequently asked questions