
Fingernails grow an average of 3.47 millimeters a month and usually regrow completely in about two months. After a nail is injured, it may fall off in a few weeks and it can take up to 9 months for the nail to grow back. If the nailbed was damaged, the new nail may have a bend, crease, or split in it. It is very important to get bone fractures treated right away to prevent future problems.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Time for nail to start growing back | Approximately a week |
Time for nail to fully grow back | Three to six months |
Average nail growth per month | 3.47 millimeters |
Time for fingernail to regrow completely | About two months |
Time for toenail to regrow completely | About four months |
Potential cosmetic changes | Permanent |
What You'll Learn
Nail regrowth can take up to 9 months
If the nailbed was damaged, your new nail may have a bend, crease, or split in it. It may not fully stick to the skin and lift up in places. It may not fully grow back.
If injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent.
If there is any pus, if it becomes really red and hot, or there is a lot of swelling, it’s a sign of infection.
After the nail’s removed, you’ll need to keep your fingertip covered while your nail starts to grow back. Many nail bed injuries require a doctor.
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Injury to the nail bed can cause cosmetic changes
Nail injuries can be noticeable until the damaged nail grows out. Fingernails usually regrow completely in about two months, while toe nails take about four months. If the injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent.
When your fingertip or nail bed is pinched, crushed, or cut, it causes a nail bed injury. Crushing can happen when your finger gets caught between two objects or in a doorway. Heavy objects falling on your finger can also cause injuries to the nail bed, as can being hit by a hammer.
After a nail is injured, even if stitched or glued in place, it may fall off in a few weeks. It can take up to 9 months for the nail to grow back. If the nailbed was damaged, your child's new nail may:
- Have a bend, crease, or split in it.
- Not fully stick to the skin and lift up in places.
- Not fully grow back.
It takes approximately a week for a fingernail to start growing back and three to six months for it to totally grow back. After the nail’s removed, you’ll need to keep your fingertip covered while your nail starts to grow back. Many nail bed injuries require a doctor.
A bandage to cover the finger or toe. After a nail is injured, even if stitched or glued in place, it may fall off in a few weeks. It can take up to 9 months for the nail to grow back. If the nailbed was damaged, your child's new nail may:
- Have a bend, crease, or split in it.
- Not fully stick to the skin and lift up in places.
- Not fully grow back.
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X-rays may be required for bone fractures
When a nail is injured, even if stitched or glued in place, it may fall off in a few weeks. It can take up to 9 months for the nail to grow back. If the nailbed was damaged, your new nail may have a bend, crease, or split in it. It may not fully stick to the skin and lift up in places. It may not fully grow back.
Nail injuries can be noticeable until the damaged nail grows out. Fingernails usually regrow completely in about two months. Toenails take about four months. If injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent.
When your fingertip or your nail bed is pinched, crushed, or cut, it causes a nail bed injury. Crushing can happen when your finger gets caught between two objects or in a doorway. Heavy objects falling on your finger can also cause injuries to the nail bed, as can being hit by a hammer.
If there is any pus, if it becomes really red and hot after the fact, or there is a lot of swelling, it’s a sign of infection.
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Bruises and cracked nails can grow out over time
If you have a bruised or cracked fingernail, you should be able to let it heal on its own. Bruises and cracked nails can grow out over time. Fingernails grow an average of 3.47 millimeters a month, according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. It takes approximately a week for a fingernail to start growing back and three to six months for it to totally grow back.
If you have a nail bed injury, you should remove all jewelry from your hands and seek medical attention. Many nail bed injuries require a doctor. After the nail’s removed, you’ll need to keep your fingertip covered while your nail starts to grow back. If the nailbed was damaged, your child's new nail may have a bend, crease, or split in it. It may not fully stick to the skin and lift up in places. It may not fully grow back. It is very important to get bone fractures treated right away to prevent future problems.
If there is any pus, if it becomes really red and hot after the fact, or there is a lot of swelling, it’s a sign of infection. Your doctor can examine any nail trauma to decide what course of action is best. Depending on the trauma, your doctor may want to have X-rays taken. Nail injuries can be noticeable until the damaged nail grows out. Fingernails usually regrow completely in about two months. Toenails take about four months. If injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent.
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Infection can occur days after injury
If you’re clear of the above signs, you’re likely good to skip the doctor and let the bruise heal up on its own. As for a cracked nail, you’ll have to wait for the damage to grow out. Fingernails grow an average of 3.47 millimeters a month according to one 2010 study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. All that said, in the days following the injury, you should also be on the lookout for signs of infection. “If there is any pus, if it becomes really red and hot after the fact, or there is a lot of swelling, it’s a sign of infection,” dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., tells SELF.
When your fingertip or your nail bed is pinched, crushed, or cut, it causes a nail bed injury. Crushing can happen when your finger gets caught between two objects or in a doorway. Heavy objects falling on your finger can also cause injuries to the nail bed, as can being hit by a hammer. After the nail’s removed, you’ll need to keep your fingertip covered while your nail starts to grow back. Many nail bed injuries require a doctor.
If the nailbed was damaged, your child's new nail may: Have a bend, crease, or split in it. Not fully stick to the skin and lift up in places. Not fully grow back. It takes approximately a week for a fingernail to start growing back and three to six months for it to totally grow back. Nail injuries can be noticeable until the damaged nail grows out. Fingernails usually regrow completely in about two months. Toenails take about four months.
If injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent. A bandage to cover the finger or toe. After a nail is injured, even if stitched or glued in place, it may fall off in a few weeks. It can take up to 9 months for the nail to grow back. Your doctor can examine any nail trauma to decide what course of action is best. Depending on the trauma, your doctor may want to have X-rays taken. Nail injuries can be noticeable until the damaged nail grows out.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes approximately a week for a fingernail to start growing back and three to six months for it to totally grow back.
When your fingertip or your nail bed is pinched, crushed, or cut, it causes a nail bed injury. Crushing can happen when your finger gets caught between two objects or in a doorway. Heavy objects falling on your finger can also cause injuries to the nail bed, as can being hit by a hammer.
A subungual hematoma appears dark red under the nail. The finger or toe is painful and may throb.
Fingernails usually regrow completely in about two months. Toenails take about four months.