Noah Sinclair
Nails are made in the nail matrix, which is located at the base of the nail. When a nail is damaged, it is often the nail matrix that is affected. In some cases, the nail bed, the area of skin beneath the nail, may also be damaged. While minor damage to the nail matrix will produce minor defects in the nail, more significant defects can result in a permanently deformed nail. However, it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, and with proper treatment, healthy nails can often grow back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail regeneration | Nails have good regeneration capacity |
| Nail growth rate | Fingernails grow at a rate of 0.13 inches per month or one-tenth of a millimeter each day; toenails grow at about half the rate of fingernails |
| Nail growth time | Fingernails can regrow entirely in 3-6 months; toenails may take up to 18 months |
| Factors affecting nail growth rate | Aging, diseases, and infections |
| Nail matrix | The "factory" where your body makes new fingernails and toenails; it has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix |
| Nail bed | The underlying nail bed can be damaged, causing the nail to lift away and separate from it |
| Subungual hematoma | A condition where blood pools between the nail and the nail bed due to leakage from small blood vessels; can be treated by a doctor drilling a tiny hole in the nail to relieve pressure |
| Nail avulsion | A severe injury where the nail is too damaged to be reused; a synthetic nail may be attached and pushed forward as the new nail grows |
| Nail bed injuries | Can be treated at home or may require medical attention; bandages and ice packs can help treat these injuries |
| Nail disorders | Can be indicative of underlying health issues such as psoriasis, anemia, kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes |
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What You'll Learn
- Nail matrix damage: Certain injuries and illnesses can damage the nail matrix, affecting nail growth
- Nail bed injuries: Blunt force or cuts can injure the nail bed, requiring medical attention
- Subungual hematoma: Trauma causes blood to pool under the nail, leading to pain and discolouration
- Nail avulsion: Severe damage may result in nail loss, treated with antibiotics and synthetic nails
- Nail regeneration: Nails have good regeneration capacity, but growth is slow, taking months to regrow fully
Nail matrix damage: Certain injuries and illnesses can damage the nail matrix, affecting nail growth
The nail matrix is the part of your body responsible for producing new nails. It consists of two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. About 90% of your nail growth comes from your germinal matrix.
Certain injuries and illnesses can damage the nail matrix, affecting nail growth. For example, a heavy object crushing or hitting the fingers or toes, or a cut from a sharp object can cause damage to the nail matrix. Repeated trauma to the toenails, such as ill-fitting shoes, can lead to deformities in the nails. Nail biting and cuticle biting can also cause trauma to the nails.
Some illnesses that can damage the nail matrix include severe eczema, psoriasis, and subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Severe eczema can cause Beau's lines, pitting, and texture or color changes in the nails. Psoriasis can cause white lines, pitting, and crumbling of the nails. Subungual melanoma presents as brown or black discoloration on the nail.
If the nail matrix is damaged, the nail may grow back with defects, and the level of defect will depend on the severity of the damage. Minor damage will produce minor defects in the nail, while more significant damage can result in a permanently deformed nail. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed and replaced with a synthetic nail to protect and support the area while the new nail grows.
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Nail bed injuries: Blunt force or cuts can injure the nail bed, requiring medical attention
A damaged nail can grow back, but it takes time, usually several months. Fingernails and toenails are formed in the nail matrix, which is located at the base of the nail. Certain injuries and illnesses can damage the nail matrix and affect how your nails look or grow. Blunt force or cuts can injure the nail bed, requiring medical attention.
Nail bed injuries are common and can occur when a heavy object crushes or hits the fingers or toes, resulting in a subungual hematoma, which looks like a bruise. They can also occur when a sharp object cuts the finger or toe. Bandages and ice packs can help treat these injuries. If there is any damage to the nail bed, it is important to seek medical attention to ensure proper healing and prevent infection.
In some cases, a minor surgical procedure may be necessary to improve the nail's appearance. For example, if there is bleeding between the nail and the nail bed, a doctor can drill a tiny hole in the nail plate to relieve the pressure of the accumulated blood. If the nail is severely damaged, the doctor may attach a synthetic nail, which will gradually be pushed forward as the new nail grows.
Most damaged nails do not require a visit to the physician or emergency room. However, if there are any signs of infection, swelling, increasing pain, or pus that develops a few days after the injury, it is mandatory to see a physician. People with diabetes or compromised immune systems are at higher risk of fungal infection, which can cause the nail plate to thicken and lift off the nail bed.
With proper treatment, healthy nails can grow back even if they fall off. It is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, preventing nail regrowth. However, if the matrix is severely damaged, the growing nail may have defects, and the nail may be permanently deformed.
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Subungual hematoma: Trauma causes blood to pool under the nail, leading to pain and discolouration
A subungual hematoma is a type of nail bed injury that occurs when blood pools under the nail, often due to distal finger trauma. It is characterised by a darkened area under the nail, caused by bleeding in the nail bed. This bleeding is typically the result of small blood vessels under the nail bed leaking, usually following a crush injury or heavy impact to the fingertips.
Subungual hematomas can be extremely painful due to the pressure exerted by the pooling blood. The pain is often described as throbbing, and it may be accompanied by distal phalanx fractures, nail avulsion, or fingertip avulsions. The injury may also cause discolouration of the nail, which can appear similar to a bruise.
Treating a subungual hematoma typically involves relieving the pressure caused by the accumulated blood. This can be done by performing decompression or trephination, which involves creating a small hole in the nail to drain the blood. A doctor may numb the affected area before using a heated wire (electrocautery device), a carbon laser, or a needle to make the hole. If the nail is damaged, a doctor may remove it and repair the nail bed. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.
Most subungual hematomas can be treated successfully, and new fingernails can regrow in as little as eight weeks. Toenails may take up to six months to fully regrow. However, even with proper treatment, there is a possibility that the new nail may not appear completely normal.
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Nail avulsion: Severe damage may result in nail loss, treated with antibiotics and synthetic nails
Nail avulsion is a type of nail bed injury that can result in nail loss. It is often caused by crush injuries, which squeeze the soft tissue of the nail bed between the nail and the distal phalanx. This can lead to a subungual hematoma, a collection of blood between the nail and the nail bed, or a laceration. In some cases, a doctor may need to remove the nail to assess and repair the damage to the nail bed.
If the nail is too damaged to be reused, a doctor may attach a synthetic nail, which will be gradually pushed forward as the new nail grows. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent or treat infections, which are a common complication of nail bed injuries.
It is important to seek medical attention for severe nail injuries, as delayed or inadequate treatment can result in negative functional and cosmetic outcomes. With proper medical care, most damaged nails will grow back, although it may take months to years for the nail to regain its proper shape.
To promote healing and smooth nail growth, prompt treatment is recommended. This may include bandages and ice packs, as well as professional medical care to ensure the nail bed heals appropriately. In some cases, a minor surgical procedure on the nail bed may be necessary to improve the nail's appearance.
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Nail regeneration: Nails have good regeneration capacity, but growth is slow, taking months to regrow fully
The nail matrix is the part of the body responsible for producing new nails. It consists of two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix, affecting how nails look or grow. Conditions such as severe eczema and psoriasis can affect the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. In addition, habits such as nail biting and repetitive picking at the cuticle can cause trauma to the nails.
However, with proper treatment, healthy nails can grow back. Even if a nail falls off, it usually grows back with proper medical care. It is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, preventing nail regrowth. In cases of severe damage, a physician may attach a synthetic nail, which is gradually pushed forward as the new nail grows.
Nails have a good regeneration capacity, but growth is slow. Fingernails grow at a rate of 0.13 inches per month or about one-tenth of a millimeter each day, with full regrowth typically occurring within 3 to 6 months. Toenails grow at about half the rate of fingernails, with complete regrowth taking up to 18 months. Ageing and diseases may decrease blood flow to the hands and feet, further slowing the rate of nail growth.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a damaged nail, you should first check for any damage to the surrounding areas, such as the nail bed, the nail matrix, or the proximal nail fold. If there is any significant damage or signs of infection, you should seek medical attention. In the case of a detached nail, there is little that can be done to replace or repair it, but a doctor may attach a synthetic nail that can be pushed forward as the new nail grows.
Nails grow at a rate of about 0.13 inches per month, with toenails growing at about half the rate of fingernails. It typically takes 3-6 months for fingernails to regrow completely, while toenails can take up to 12 months.
To prevent nail damage, it is important to wear well-fitting shoes and avoid repetitive trauma to the nails. Maintaining a well-rounded diet and good general health can also help to strengthen nails and reduce the risk of damage.
